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Assessing Sub-Saharan Africa’s readiness to address the impact of climate change and health: A scoping review

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  • Aminata Kilungo
  • God’sgift Chukwuonye
  • Victor Okpanachi
  • Hussein Mohamed

Abstract

Climate change severely threatens global public health, with sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) projected to experience profound impacts. This scoping review aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of current research on climate change and its health implications in SSA while identifying research gaps and outlining the necessary resources and policy interventions to strengthen public health resilience in the region. Literature was retrieved from four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science) using the keywords “climate change,” “health,” and “sub-Saharan Africa” and this study was conducted using the PRISMA framework. The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed studies published in English between January 1, 2001, and August 1, 2024, that examined the effects of climate change in SSA, assessed its impacts on health outcomes,A total of 7851 journal articles were identified from the initial search, and after screening, 153 studies were included for review. The included studies were published between January 2001 and August 2024. Although extensive studies have been conducted on extreme heat (71 studies), drought (45 studies), extreme precipitation events (52 studies), and flooding (34 studies), important themes such as air quality (10 studies), chemical water quality (8 studies) and natural disasters (8 studies) have been understudied. Additionally, this scoping review revealed a geographical gap in climate change and health studies, as only 24 out of 53 countries in sub-Saharan Africa were represented. The key deficiencies identified include limited funding, technological constraints, inadequate climate policies, and a lack of community-focused adaptation plans. Moreover, this review highlights the urgent need for resilient healthcare systems capable of addressing climate-related health risks effectively. Addressing these gaps is essential for developing targeted strategies to mitigate climate change’s health impacts and increase resilience in SSA communities. This review aims to inform policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders about critical areas requiring attention and investment by enhancing our understanding of these challenges and gaps. Strengthening research capacities, fostering collaboration, and implementing evidence-based policies are imperative steps toward achieving sustainable health outcomes in the face of a changing climate in SSA.

Suggested Citation

  • Aminata Kilungo & God’sgift Chukwuonye & Victor Okpanachi & Hussein Mohamed, 2025. "Assessing Sub-Saharan Africa’s readiness to address the impact of climate change and health: A scoping review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 20(11), pages 1-22, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0315482
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0315482
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    1. Sara L. M. Trærup & Ramon A. Ortiz & Anil Markandya, 2011. "The Costs of Climate Change: A Study of Cholera in Tanzania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Raissa Sorgho & Maximilian Jungmann & Aurélia Souares & Ina Danquah & Rainer Sauerborn, 2021. "Climate Change, Health Risks, and Vulnerabilities in Burkina Faso: A Qualitative Study on the Perceptions of National Policymakers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-16, May.
    3. PJ Blackwell, 2010. "East Africa's Pastoralist Emergency: is climate change the straw that breaks the camel's back?," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(8), pages 1321-1338.
    4. Charlotte Scheerens & Els Bekaert & Sunanda Ray & Akye Essuman & Bob Mash & Peter Decat & An De Sutter & Patrick Van Damme & Wouter Vanhove & Samuel Lietaer & Jan De Maeseneer & Farai Madzimbamuto & I, 2021. "Family Physician Perceptions of Climate Change, Migration, Health, and Healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-18, June.
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