Extreme weather events and disruptions to HIV services: a systematic review

The Lancet HIV, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Building climate-resilient health systems in Sierra Leone: addressing the dual burden of infectious and climate-related diseases

Infectious Diseases of Poverty, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: March 24, 2025

Abstract Climate change presents a profound challenge to global health, disproportionately affecting low-income countries like Sierra Leone. This opinion examines the dual burden of infectious and climate-related diseases their implications for Leone’s health systems. Rising temperatures changing rainfall patterns intensify vector-borne such as malaria Lassa fever, while flooding exacerbates waterborne in overcrowded urban areas. Concurrently, climate-driven food insecurity worsens malnutrition, particularly among children, heat stress contributes growing prevalence non-communicable diseases. These overlapping crises strain fragile system, characterized by inadequate infrastructure, workforce shortages, weak surveillance systems, limited financial resources. The disease not only increases morbidity mortality but also deepens existing inequities inequalities. To address these challenges, this underscores need climate-resilient policies Key recommendations include strengthening healthcare building capacity through targeted training, fostering community-based adaptation strategies, enhancing international collaboration financing. Establishing robust research data systems is critical monitor mitigate impacts. By prioritizing response within policy frameworks, Leone can build resilient system that safeguards public promotes sustainable development.

Language: Английский

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Towards youth-inclusive strategies for research on climate change and health in sub-saharan Africa

The Journal of Climate Change and Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 22, P. 100418 - 100418

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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Heatwaves Amplify Air Pollution Risks in Sub-Saharan Africa

Research Square (Research Square), Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 2, 2025

Despite mounting evidence that heatwaves aggravate urban air pollution, with substantial impacts on public health, comparatively little research has addressed Sub-Saharan African contexts. In this study, we focused Kigali, Rwanda, to assess the relationship between extreme heat events and concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), ozone (O₃) from 2021 2024. Using low-cost sensors for dense spatiotemporal coverage, our analysis found O₃ increased significantly during 6 heatwave peak values up 40% higher than non-heatwave in afternoon. Heatwaves also resulted spikes PM_2.5 NO₂, however diurnal seasonal analyses showed NO₂ dynamics were shaped more by local emissions sources temperature alone. These results highlight compound risks pollution sub-Saharan cities, underscoring importance early-warning systems robust policies account both pollution. addition, atmospheric identified differ those observed high-income countries, highlighting a critical need exploring intersection Africa.

Language: Английский

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Viral meningitis in Sub-Saharan Africa: trends in prevalence, etiologies, and diagnostic approaches

Virology Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 22(1)

Published: April 15, 2025

Viral meningitis is a significant yet often underreported public health concern in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where diagnostic limitations and surveillance gaps hinder accurate case detection. This systematic review examines epidemiological trends, etiologies, laboratory approaches to viral across SSA from 1987 2024. data reveal that the prevalence of has shown an overall increasing trend, with considerable year-to-year variability influenced by seasonal outbreaks, improved methods, enhanced efforts. Human enteroviruses (HEVs) were most frequently identified causative agents, accounting for 1,164 confirmed cases, followed herpesvirus family, including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) cytomegalovirus (CMV). Other detected pathogens include mumps virus, adenoviruses, coxsackievirus, arboviruses such as dengue virus. The shift traditional cultures polymerase chain reaction (PCR) multiplex PCR significantly Despite these advancements, substantial remain accessibility, systems, less research focus on SSA. Addressing challenges through surveillance, capacity, targeted strategies crucial mitigating burden region.

Language: Английский

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Impact of Climate Change on Schistosomiasis Transmission and Distribution—Scoping Review

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 22(5), P. 812 - 812

Published: May 21, 2025

Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms of the genus Schistosoma and transmitted through freshwater snails, affects over 200 million people worldwide. Climate change, rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns, extreme weather events, is influencing distribution transmission dynamics schistosomiasis. This scoping review examines impact climate change on schistosomiasis its implications for control. aims to synthesize current knowledge influence variables (temperature, rainfall, water bodies) snail populations, dynamics, shifting geographic range It also explores potential effects adaptation policies The follows Arksey O’Malley framework PRISMA-ScR guidelines, including studies published from 2000 2024. Eligible were selected based empirical data transmission, dynamics. A two-stage study selection process was followed: title/abstract screening full-text review. Data extracted environmental factors, population strategies. expected increase in endemic regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, South America, while some areas, such as parts West may see reduced risk. Emerging hotspots identified not currently endemic. policies, improved management early warning systems, found effective reducing transmission. Integrating strategies into control programs critical mitigating disease’s spread, particularly emerging areas.

Language: Английский

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The Impact of Air Pollution on Cardiovascular Health Outcomes in African Populations

JACC Advances, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(12), P. 101371 - 101371

Published: Nov. 13, 2024

Air pollution is a significant environmental risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), but its impact on African populations under-researched due to limited air quality data and health studies. The purpose of this study was synthesize available research the effects CVDs outcomes in populations, identify knowledge gaps, suggest areas policy intervention. A systematic search PubMed conducted using terms capturing criteria ambient pollutants (for example particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, sulfur dioxide) countries Africa. Exclusions were studies tobacco smoking, household pollution, occupational exposures. Six met full inclusion criteria. Most urban settings most investigated dioxide dioxide. Five 6 performed South showed positive associations between exposure increased incidence stroke overall hospitalization mortality. However, there considerable variation design, pollutant measurement methods, adjustment confounders. This review highlights critical need standardized extremely numbers make it difficult ascertain true across continent. Future should include longitudinal different with methods. There an urgent improve monitoring networks, key sources exposure, implement standards.

Language: Английский

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Advancing Vaccinology Capacity: Education and Efforts in Vaccine Development and Manufacturing across Africa

Vaccines, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(7), P. 741 - 741

Published: July 3, 2024

Africa, home to the world’s second-largest population of approximately 1.3 billion, grapples with significant challenges in meeting its medical needs, particularly accessing quality healthcare services and products. The continent faces a continuous onslaught emerging infectious diseases, exacerbating strain on already fragile public health infrastructure. COVID-19 crisis highlighted urgency build local vaccine production capacity strengthen infrastructure general. risks associated heavy reliance imported vaccines were exposed during pandemic, necessitating need nurture manufacturing therapeutic biologics. Various initiatives addressing training, manufacturing, regulatory affairs are underway, these require increasing dedicated purposeful financial investment. Building requires substantial investment training This manuscript examines current state education vaccinology related sciences Africa. It also provides an overview continent’s efforts address educational needs development manufacturing. Additionally, it evaluates aimed at strengthening literacy, highlighting successful approaches ongoing challenges. By assessing progress made identifying remaining obstacles, this review offers insights into how Africa can enhance respond vaccine-preventable disease

Language: Английский

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Senior Health in a Changing Climate: Unique Needs of a Complex Population

Environmental Health Perspectives, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 132(9)

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

Health effects of climate change present different challenges to people as they age, and the risks are expected be higher in lower-income countries. Protective actions can help.

Language: Английский

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