Urbanization and Health Inequity in Sub-Saharan Africa: Examining Public Health and Environmental Crises in Douala, Cameroon

Africa’s rapid urbanization often exceeds the capacity of governments to provide essential services and infrastructure, exacerbating structural inequalities and exposing vulnerable populations to serious health risks. This paper examines the case of Douala, Cameroon, to demonstrate that health inequities in African cities are not simply the result of urban growth but are shaped by spatial inequities, historical legacies, and systemic exclusion. Disadvantaged neighborhoods are particularly impacted, becoming epicenters of health crises. Using a mixed-methods approach combining spatial analysis, household surveys and interviews, the study identifies three key findings: (1) Healthcare services in Douala are unevenly distributed and dominated by private providers, which limits access for low-income residents. (2) Inadequate infrastructure and environmental risks in informal settlements lead to a higher disease burden and an overflow of demand into better-equipped districts, which overwhelms public health centers across the city. (3) This structural mismatch fuels widespread reliance on informal and unregulated care practices. This study positions Douala as a microcosm of broader public health challenges in rapidly urbanizing African cities. It highlights the need for integrated urban planning and health system reforms that address spatial inequalities, strengthen public health infrastructure, and prioritize equity—key principles for achieving the third Sustainable Development Goal (ensuring good health and well-being for all residents) in sub-Saharan Africa.