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Addressing Climate Change’s Health Impacts in Africa
Climate change is increasingly becoming a critical public health challenge, particularly across the African continent. The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has taken significant steps to tackle this issue by launching a strategic framework aimed at mitigating the health impacts of climate change. This initiative underscores the urgent need for coordinated action to address the growing threats posed by shifting environmental conditions.
During the official launch of the framework via a webinar, the Director-General of the Africa CDC, Jean Kaseya, emphasized that climate change is one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. He highlighted how it is already causing extreme weather events, altering disease patterns, contributing to food insecurity, and increasing the prevalence of waterborne illnesses. These effects are not just environmental but have profound implications for human health and well-being.
A comprehensive review of over 2,000 public health events on the continent between 2001 and 2021 revealed that 56% were linked to climate change. This data highlights the urgent need for proactive measures to prevent further deterioration of public health outcomes. According to Kaseya, climate change is projected to cause an additional 14.5 million deaths, over two billion healthy life years lost, and $12.5 trillion in economic losses globally by 2050. These staggering figures underscore the necessity of immediate and sustained action.
The newly launched framework offers a comprehensive roadmap designed to address the intersection of climate and health through coordinated, evidence-based actions. Its primary goal is to build climate-resilient health systems and communities across all African Union Member States. This involves strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing intersectoral collaboration to ensure that health systems can withstand the pressures of a changing climate.
Kaseya noted that the framework represents a pivotal step in the Africa CDC’s mission to safeguard public health. It emphasizes the critical need for robust institutional arrangements across continental, regional, and national levels. With the right strategies, partnerships, and investments, Africa can build a future where health systems are resilient, communities are empowered, and the health impacts of climate change are effectively managed.
The strategy is built around seven guiding principles: the One Health Approach, Partnerships and Collaborations, Sustained Investment, Advanced Technology and Infrastructure, Community Engagement, Accountability and Transparency, and Equity and Inclusion. By focusing on these principles, the framework empowers policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to anticipate, adapt to, and mitigate the adverse health effects of climate change.
Additionally, the framework calls for strong political will, innovative financing mechanisms, and the use of advanced technologies to track climate-health linkages and respond swiftly to emerging threats. Kaseya called on African governments, international partners, and stakeholders to align efforts and harness their collective strengths in the fight against climate-induced health challenges.
The journey towards climate resilience is complex and challenging, but with a shared vision, meaningful strides can be made in protecting the health of people across the continent. The framework is more than a document; it is a continental imperative and a call to action. It comes at a critical moment as Africa grapples with the worsening effects of global warming on health security.
The framework complements the Africa CDC’s ongoing efforts under the broader One Health Strategy and its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, which aims to strengthen public health architecture across the continent. Experts like Gabriel Adakole, a Public Health expert, have welcomed the initiative, noting that it offers Nigeria a roadmap to build climate-resilient health systems, better prepare for climate-related disease outbreaks, and strengthen early warning and surveillance.
Adakole highlighted that the framework encourages policy integration across sectors, boosts access to technical support and funding, and promotes community engagement and equity, especially for vulnerable populations. By aligning with this framework, the country could improve its disaster preparedness, reduce climate-induced health risks, and ensure more coordinated, inclusive, and sustainable public health responses.
