A Rapid Review of Impact Assessment of Climate Change on Health and Mental Well-Being in Africa

Kelechi Elizabeth Oladimeji; Lindiwe Zungu; Ronnie Chocko; Francis L. Hyera; Athini Nyatela; Siphamandla  Gumede; Depika Dwarka; Samanta Tresha  Lalla-Edward

doi:10.25159/2958-3918/15604

Authors

Kelechi Elizabeth Oladimeji Walter Sisulu University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0246-5595
Lindiwe Zungu University of South Africa
Ronnie Chocko Department of Health
Francis L. Hyera Walter Sisulu University
Athini Nyatela University of the Witwatersrand
Siphamandla Gumede University of the Witwatersrand
Depika Dwarka University of the Witwatersrand
Samanta Tresha Lalla-Edward University of the Witwatersrand

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25159/2958-3918/15604

Keywords:

Climate change, public health, mental health, impact assessment, rapid review, Africa

Abstract

Despite widespread global attention, the potential threats to human health posed by climate change in Africa still need to be further understood. Although there is mounting concern that climate change is a serious risk to human health, less evidence shows a direct causal relationship between climate change and health risks in Africa. In this rapid review, we discuss our synthesis of available evidence on the health implications of climate change with a focus on Africa. PubMed was systematically searched for relevant articles from 2020 to 2023 using a search strategy. Only eligible articles published in the English language with full article access were included for review using the population concept context (PCC) criteria by Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). After removing duplicates, the selection process began with title and abstract screening, followed by screening full-text articles. Of the 3272 articles retrieved, only 10 were eligible for synthesis. We found mainly reported climate exposures to range from drought, concerning rainfall patterns, and increasing temperatures reported to cause morbidity and mortality through health risks: respiratory diseases, vector-borne diseases, cardiovascular diseases and mental health concerns. Africa still has a huge shortage of available evidence, particularly research focusing on the health implications, including mental health of climate change and interventions to prevent climate change-related health consequences. While the limited global evidence indicates that climate change results in an increased risk to public health, there are gaps in demonstrating the causal links between climate change and societal mental health impacts in Africa. There is also an urgent need for more research on effectively addressing climate hazards that threaten the African continent's public health and well-being.

References

Ahmad, R., and Javed, T. (2022). Chikungunya outbreak in Pakistan; optimal control, and management prevention. The Journal of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, 3(3), 67–69. https://doi.org/10.52700/jmmg.v3i3.71 DOI: https://doi.org/10.52700/jmmg.v3i3.71

Atwoli, L., Erhabor, G. E., Gbakima, A. G., Haileamlak, A., Ntumba, J. M. K., Kigera, J., Laybourn-Langton, L., Mash, R., Muhia, J., Mulaudzi, F. M., Ofori-Adjei, D., Okonofua, F., Rashidian, A., El-Adawy, M., Sidibé, S., Snouber, A., Tumwine, J., Yassien, M. S., Yonga, P., Zakhama, L., and Zielinski, C. (2022). COP27 climate change conference: urgent action needed for Africa and the world. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 23(1), 19–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00696-X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(22)00696-X

Australian Academy of Science (AAS). (2022). What is climate change? Australian Academy of Science. Retrieved from https://www.science.org.au/learning/general-audience/science-climate-change/1-what-is-climate-change#:~:text=Climate%20change%20is%20a%20change%20in%20the%20statistical%20properties%20of,include%20averages%2C%20variability%20and%20extremes.

Berrang-Ford, L., Sietsma, A. J., Callaghan, M., Minx, J. C., Scheelbeek, P. F. D., Haddaway, N. R., Haines, A., and Dangour, A. D. (2021). Systematic mapping of global research on climate and health: a machine learning review. Lancet Planet Health, 5(8), e514–e525. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00179-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00179-0

Bongioanni, P., Del Carratore, R., Corbianco, S., Diana, A., Cavallini, G., Masciandaro, S. M., Dini, M., and Buizza, R. (2021). Climate change and neurodegenerative diseases. Environ Res, 201, 111511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111511 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111511

Borg, F. H., Greibe Andersen, J., Karekezi, C., Yonga, G., Furu, P., Kallestrup, P., and Kraef, C. (2021). Climate change and health in urban informal settlements in low- and middle-income countries — a scoping review of health impacts and adaptation strategies. Glob Health Action, 14 (1), 1908064. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.1908064 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.1908064

Butler, C. D., Bowles, D. C., McIver, L., and Page, L. (2014). Mental health, cognition and the challenge of climate change. Clim Change Glob Health, 26, 251. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781780642659.0251 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1079/9781780642659.0251

Butler, C. D. (2018). Climate change, health and existential risks to civilization: a comprehensive review (1989–2013). Int J Environ Res Public Health, 15(10), 2266. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102266 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15102266

Campbell-Lendrum, D., Manga, L., Bagayoko, M., and Sommerfeld, J. (2015). Climate change and vector-borne diseases: what are the implications for public health research and policy? Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 370(1665), 20130552. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2013.0552 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2013.0552

Center for Disease Control. (2022, April 25). Climate effects on health. CDC. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/default.htm

De Souza, K., Kituyi, E., Harvey, B., Leone, M., Murali, K. S., and Ford, J. D. (2015). Vulnerability to climate change in three hot spots in Africa and Asia: key issues for policy-relevant adaptation and resilience-building research. Springer, 15, 747–753. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-015-0755-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-015-0755-8

Di Giorgi, E., Michielin, P., and Michielin, D. (2020). Perception of climate change, loss of social capital and mental health in two groups of migrants from African countries. Ann Ist Super Sanita, 56(2), 150 –156. https://doi.org/10.4415/ANN_20_02_04

Ebi, K., Lindgren, E., Suk, J., and Semenza, J. (2022) Adaptation to the infectious disease impacts of climate change. Climatic Change, 118(2), 355–365. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-012-0648-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-012-0648-5

Edelson, P. J., Harold, R., Ackelsberg, J., Duchin, J. S., Lawrence, S. J., Manabe, Y. C., Zahn, M., and LaRocque, R. C. (2022). Climate change and the epidemiology of infectious diseases in the United States. Clinical Infectious Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciac697 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciac697

Erickson, L. E. (2017). Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality: Two global challenges. Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 36(4), 982–988. https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.12665 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.12665

Flahault, A., Castaneda, R., and Bolon, I. (2016). Climate change and infectious diseases. Public Health Reviews, 37(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40985-016-0035-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40985-016-0035-2

Golicha, Q., Shetty, S., Nasiblov, O., Hussein, A., Wainaina, E., Obonyo, M., Macharia, D., Musyoka, R. N., Abdille, H., Ope, M., Joseph, R., Kabugi, W., Kiogora, J., Said, M., Boru, W., Galgalo, T., Lowther, S. A., Juma, B., Mugoh, R., and Wamola, N. (2018). Cholera outbreak in Dadaab Refugee Camp, Kenya — November 2015–June 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep, 67(34), 958–961. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6734a4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6734a4

Hathaway, J., and Maibach, E. W. (2018). Health implications of climate change: a review of the literature about the perception of the public and health professionals. Curr Environ Health Rep, 5(1), 197–204. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-018-0190-3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-018-0190-3

Hayes, K., Blashki, G., Wiseman, J., Burke, S., and Reifels, L. (2018). Climate change and mental health: risks, impacts and priority actions. Int J Ment Health Syst, 12, 28. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-018-0210-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13033-018-0210-6

Hess, J., Boodram, L.-L. G., Paz, S., Stewart Ibarra, A. M., Wasserheit, J. N., and Lowe, R. (2020). Strengthening the global response to climate change and infectious disease threats. BMJ (Clinical research ed), 371, m3081. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3081 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3081

Imane, S., Oumaima, B., Kenza, K., Laila, I., Youssef, E. merabet, Zineb, S., and Mohamed, E. jarmouni. (2022). A review on climate, air pollution, and health in North Africa. Curr Environ Health Rep, 9(2), 276–298. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-022-00350-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-022-00350-y

Liang, L., and Gong, P. (2017). Climate change and human infectious diseases: A synthesis of research findings from global and spatio-temporal perspectives. Environment International, 103, 99–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2017.03.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2017.03.011

Mora, C., McKenzie, T., Gaw, I. M., Dean, J. M., von Hammerstein, H., Knudson, T. A., Setter, R. O., Smith, C. Z., Webster, K. M., Patz, J. A., and Franklin, E. C. (2022). Over half of known human pathogenic diseases can be aggravated by climate change. Nature Climate Change, 12(9), 869–875. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01426-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01426-1

Munn, Z., McArthur, A., Porritt, K., Lizarondo, L., Moola, S., and Lockwood, C. (2020). Section 2: Evidence implementation projects using an evidence-based audit and feedback approach: the JBI Implementation Framework. JBI Manual for Evidence Implementation. https://doi.org/10.46658/JBIMEI-20-03. DOI: https://doi.org/10.46658/JBIMEI-20-03

Munn, Z., Stern, C., Porritt, K., Lockwood, C., Aromataris, E., and Jordan, Z. (2018). Evidence transfer: ensuring end users are aware of, have access to, and understand the evidence. International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare, 16(2), 83–89. https://doi.org/doi.10.1097/XEB.0000000000000134. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/XEB.0000000000000134

Munzhedzi, S., and Cele, A. (2021). Climate change and human health climate and impacts factsheet series, factsheet 5 of 7. Department of Environmental Affairs CCB, Chief Directorate Adaptation. Retrieved from https://www.dffe.gov.za/sites/default/files/docs/factsheet_climatechange_health.pdf

Nagata, J. M., Hampshire, K., Epstein, A., Lin, F., Zakaras, J., Murnane, P., Charlebois, E. D., Tsai, A. C., Nash, D., and Weiser, S. D. (2022). Analysis of heavy rainfall in Sub-Saharan Africa and HIV transmission risk, HIV prevalence, and sexually transmitted infections, 2005–2017. JAMA Netw Open, 5(9), e2230282. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.30282 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.30282

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (n.d.) Climate change. NASA. Retrieved from https://nasasearch.nasa.gov/search?query=climate+change&affiliate=nasa&utf8=✓]

Nilsson, M., Sie, A., Muindi, K., Bunker, A., Ingole, V., and Ebi, K. L. (2021). Weather, climate, and climate change research to protect human health in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Global Health Action, 14(sup1), 1984014. https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.1984014 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.1984014

Opoku, S. K., Leal Filho, W., Hubert, F., and Adejumo, O. (2021). Climate change and health preparedness in Africa: Analysing trends in six African countries. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18(9), 4672. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094672 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094672

Prencipe, L., Houweling, T. A. J., van Lenthe, F. J., Kajula, L., and Palermo, T. (2023). Climate distress, climate-sensitive risk factors, and mental health among Tanzanian youth: a cross-sectional study. Lancet Planet Health, 7(11), e877-e887. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(23)00234-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(23)00234-6

Sanni, O., Salami, B., Oluwasina, F., Ojo, F., and Kennedy, M. (2022). Climate change and African migrant health. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 19(24),16867. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416867 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416867

Semenza, J. C., and Paz, S. (2021). Climate change and infectious disease in Europe: Impact, projection and adaptation. The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, 9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2021.100230 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2021.100230

Sheriff, M., and Mash, R. (20222). Climate change and primary health care in Chakama, Kilifi County, Kenya. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med, 14(1), e1–e3. https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v14i1.3670 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v14i1.3670

Sorgho, R., Jungmann, M., Souares, A., Danquah, I., and Sauerborn, R. (2021). Climate change, health risks, and vulnerabilities in Burkina Faso: A qualitative study on the perceptions of national policymakers. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18(9), 4972. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094972 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094972

Szulejko, J. E., Kumar, P., Deep, A., and Kim, K.-H. (2017). Global warming projections to 2100 using simple CO2 greenhouse gas modeling and comments on CO2 climate sensitivity factor. Atmospheric Pollution Research, 8(1), 136–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2016.08.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2016.08.002

Trisos, C. H., Adelekan, I. O., Totin, E., Ayanlade, A., Efitre, J., Gemeda, A., Kalaba, K., Lennard, C., Masao, C., Mgaya, Y., Ngaruiya, G., Olago, D., Simpson, N. P. and Zakieldeen, A. S. (2022). Africa. In Climate change 2022: impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability. Contribution of Working Group II to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. By H.-O. Pörtner, D.C. Roberts, M. Tignor, E.S. Poloczanska, K. Mintenbeck, A. Alegría, M. Craig, S. Langsdorf, S. Löschke, V. Möller, A. Okem, B. Rama (eds.). Cambridge University Press.

United Nations. (2023). What Is Climate Change? Climate Action; United Nations. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change]

Watts, N., Adger, W. N., Agnolucci, P., Blackstock, J., Byass, P., Cai, W., Chaytor, S., Colbourn, T., Collins, M., Cooper, A., Cox, P. M., Depledge, J., Drummond, P., Ekins, P., Galaz, V., Grace, D., Graham, H., Grubb, M., Haines, A., & Hamilton, I. (2015). Health and climate change: policy responses to protect public health. The Lancet, 386(10006), 1861 –1914. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60854-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60854-6

Wheeler, N., and Watts, N. (2018) Climate change: from science to practice. Curr Environ Health Rep, 5(1), 170–178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-018-0187-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-018-0187-y

World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Climate change. WHO, Regional Office for Africa. Retrieved from https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/climate-change

World Health Organization (WHO). (2021, October 30). Climate change and health. WHO. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health

World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Climate change and health research: current trends, gaps and perspectives for the future. Geneva: World Health Organization.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2017).Mental health. WHO. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mental_health/en/.

World Meteorological Organization (2021). State of the climate in Africa. WMO. Retrieved from https://library.wmo.int/doc_num.php?explnum_id=11304.

World Meteorological Organization. (2021). Climate change triggers mounting food insecurity, poverty and displacement in Africa. WMO. Retrieved from https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/climate-change-triggers-mounting-food-insecurity-poverty-and-displacement-africa]

Wu, X., Lu, Y., Zhou, S., Chen, L., and Xu, B. (2016). Impact of climate change on human infectious diseases: Empirical evidence and human adaptation. Environment International, 86, 14–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2015.09.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2015.09.007