ABSTRACT
The multiple pathways, with which, climate change is and will exacerbate existing health concerns in Africa are complex. Africa’s widespread poverty, disease burden, lack of access to resources and direct reliance on the natural environment causes the continent to be particularly vulnerable and affects its coping and adaptive capacities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO 2009b), prerequisites for health are clean air and water, adequate food and shelter and freedom from disease. The health of the African population stands to be adversely impacted both directly and indirectly by climate change. Infectious diseases, such as vector-borne (malaria, dengue) and diarrheal illnesses, are highly sensitive to changes in temperature and rainfall (WHO 2009b). Regional changes are predicted to alter the distribution, occurrence, and abundance of the pathogens causing disease epidemics. The increase in extreme weather events will also impact the rates of infection, as well as hinder access to clean water and ample food. However, in the long term the greater impact
on health will be from water, food, and shelter insecurity, as well as high migration, environmental refugees, and confl ict.
