Abstract:
Climate change is the greatest health threat of the 21st century to
global health and primary health care. Despite being the least contributor to global
greenhouse gas emissions, Africa is disproportionately facing severe impacts of
climate change, particularly on its health systems which is already neglected and
underfunded. The crisis poses a fundamental threat to human health by undermining
healthcare infrastructure, straining workforce capacity, and diminishing global
progress toward universal health coverage. It disrupts the physical environment,
natural and human systems, and the functionality of healthcare systems, acting as a
multiplier threat that jeopardizes and potentially reverses decades of health gains. The
Sendai Framework, a roadmap for making vulnerable and marginalized communities
safer and more resilient emphasizes the importance of investing in disaster risk
prevention and reduction through both structural and non-structural measures,
which are vital for enhancing socio-economic, health, and cultural resilience. This
narrative review is based on the insights drawn from Climate Adaptation Research
Program scholars across Africa. It explores the current and projected burden of
climate change on the continent’s healthcare systems. It underscores the urgent
need to integrate climate resilience into healthcare planning, fostering cross-sectoral
collaboration, and ensures the sustainability of health systems amid escalating
climate challenge
