Title:
The impact of climate change on child health in Malawi: a literature review with a focus on undernutrition, infectious diseases and air pollution
Authors:
Maas, Arno F.G.
Place:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
Year:
2022
PAGE:
vii, 92
Language:
En
Subject:
Health and Poverty
Keywords:
Climate change, child health, Malawi, SDG
Abstract:
Introduction: Children in low-income countries are projected to suffer the most from climate change. How child health is impacted in low-income countries is a field that is not yet fully developed with most literature published on middle- and high-income countries. Malawi is increasingly suffering from climate change due to extreme weather events. The effects of climate change could possibly impact progress towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. This thesis was written with the objective to discuss the main health effects of climate change on all children in Malawi. Due to large scope of this subject this thesis focusses on undernutrition, infectious diseases and air pollution. Methodology: A literature review was performed using the conceptual framework published by Helldén et al. “Climate change and child health”. Results were organised corresponding to the framework in the following chapters: Climate change and Malawi, Direct and indirect effects, Increased risk of disease and Child health effects. If no information was found on Malawi, surrounding countries or the larger regions were used to discuss possible effects. The discussion was organised following the most impacted SDG’s namely 1 to 6. Results: Malawi is impacted by increased extreme weather events (floods, droughts, storms) which cause 1) direct and indirect increases of morbidity (injuries, infectious diseases) and mortality (drowning, direct impacts) 2) increased food insecurity leading to increased chronic and acute undernutrition 3) decreased educational attainment 4) decreased access to health care and 5) crippling infrastructure damages leading to forced migration and impacts on government financing. Temperature is expected to increase with 1.6-2.0°C in 2050 and possibly 2.3-6.3°C in 2090. Rainfall is expected to be more variable meaning more dry spells and more high intensity rain with no impact on mean annual rainfall. This could increase 1) water stress through increase evaporation 2) reduce crop yields leading to increases in undernutrition 3) affect education outcomes through increased ambient temperatures 4) increase air pollution by ozone and particulate matter leading to respiratory disease and possibly adverse perinatal outcomes 5) increased exposure to infectious diseases through changing vector patterns for malaria and possibly schistosomiasis and increased exposure to water borne diseases. Discussion: Malawi is currently not on a trajectory to achieve SDG goal 1 (eliminate poverty) and SDG 2 (reduce stunting) in which climate change plays a considerable role. Progress on the targets for U5MR (3.2.1.), ending the malaria epidemic (3.3.3.), mortality due to air pollution and unsafe WASH circumstances (targets 3.9.1 and 3.9.2), educational attainment (target 4.1 and 4.2), eliminate gender based violence and access to sexual and reproductive health services (target 5.2 and 5.6) could be severely compromised by the effects of climate change. There is a considerable knowledge gap on the effects of heatwaves, air pollution, impact on inland lakes and fish stocks/pollution which needs to be addressed. Recommendations: to Ministry of Health to address the knowledge gaps needed to make effective adaptation policies, to the revising committee of the NDC’s to use these results for making the NDC more child sensitive, to the revising committee of the National Resilience Strategy consider expanding child targeted policies, to the Dutch societies of health professionals, use advocacy to strive for effective climate change mitigation steps.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Country:
Malawi
Region:
Southeastern Africa
Training:
Master of Science in International Health (MScIH)
Category:
Research
Right:
@ 2023 Maas
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
TGWxldzYf9_20231105125430816.pdf