Climate change and public health in Africa: A narrative review of resilience strategies for health systems
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Abstract
Background: Climate change poses an escalating threat to public health in Africa, a continent responsible for less than 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions yet disproportionately bearing the burden of its consequences. Existing health systems remain fragile, under-resourced, and ill-equipped to absorb climate-related shocks.
Objectives: To synthesize evidence on the health impacts of climate change in Africa and identify strategies for building climate-resilient health systems.
Methods: This study is a narrative literature review. A comprehensive search of peer-reviewed databases and gray literature was conducted. Sources were screened against predefined inclusion criteria and synthesized thematically across six domains: climate science, contextual vulnerabilities, health systems strengthening, governance, community engagement, and financing. A total of 22 studies and reports were included and analyzed using thematic synthesis following Thomas and Harden’s (2008) three-step approach.
Results: Climate change intensifies the burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases, disrupts health infrastructure, and deepens health inequities across African regions. Resilience-building requires strengthened governance, sustained domestic and international financing, multisectoral partnerships, community engagement, and climate-adaptive health information systems.
Conclusions: Concerted, context-sensitive action that integrates climate adaptation into health policy frameworks is urgently needed to protect the health and well-being of African populations from the accelerating impacts of climate change. Practical implications include strengthening health system governance, mobilizing climate finance, investing in climate-adaptive surveillance systems, and fostering community engagement and multisectoral collaboration to build durable climate resilience across African health systems.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Kabiru Gulma, Sa’adatu M. Julde, Isman Wais, Emmanuel Morna, Abubakar S. Danbatta, Bakam Rodine, Anastacia Katungo Maluki
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