Uncovering the Impact of Climate Change on Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases: A Call to Urgent Action
The World Health Organization (WHO) Task Team on Climate Change, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and Malaria, in collaboration with Reaching the Last Mile (RLM), recently published a scoping review in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. This review, which analyzed a staggering 42,693 articles, sheds light on the insufficient understanding of the actual and potential impacts of human-induced changes to climate patterns on malaria and NTDs.
The impact of rising temperatures and changing weather patterns on the spread of vector-borne diseases, such as malaria and NTDs, is becoming increasingly evident. These changes have significant implications for human health and are placing additional strain on healthcare systems worldwide. As disease vectors like mosquitoes expand their geographic range, the risk of introducing or reintroducing these diseases to new, unprepared areas also increases. The review emphasizes that these shifts in disease prevalence, incidence, range, and intensity may disproportionately affect communities that are already struggling with these diseases.
Dr. Ibrahima Socé Fall, Director of WHO’s Global NTD Programme, who led the study, stressed the need for more comprehensive, collaborative, and standardized modeling to better understand and predict the effects of climate change on malaria and NTDs. The review serves as a wake-up call for urgent action, as malaria transmission is projected to shift polewards and to higher altitudes, while the mosquito vectors responsible for diseases like dengue and chikungunya are expected to expand their range.
Despite the critical findings of the review, the paper highlights a concerning trend where published research has predominantly focused on low-disease burden countries with high access to quality healthcare. This narrow focus poses a significant threat to communities historically underserved in relation to malaria and NTDs, especially considering the non-linear and evolving nature of the effects of climate change on these diseases.
Tala Al-Ramahi, Chief Strategy Officer of Reaching the Last Mile, emphasized the urgent need for greater investment in research to develop evidence-based interventions and mitigate the worst consequences of climate change on human health. The review revealed that only a small percentage of studies addressed mitigation and adaptation strategies, indicating a lack of evidence to protect the progress made against malaria and NTDs in recent decades.
Dr. Daniel Ngamije Madandi, Director of WHO’s Global Malaria Programme, highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on the poorest populations, who are already burdened by malaria and NTDs. He stressed the need for a more equitable, comprehensive, and sustainable response to address the looming crisis.
The scoping review analyzed peer-reviewed papers and grey literature published between January 2010 and October 2023, totaling 42,693 records. Of the 511 papers that met the inclusion criteria, a significant portion focused on malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, while other NTDs were underrepresented in the research.
In conclusion, the findings of this review underscore the urgent need for a coordinated global response to address the intersection of climate change, malaria, and NTDs. With the potential to reverse decades of progress in global health and development, the climate crisis demands immediate action and investment in research and interventions to safeguard vulnerable communities from the escalating threats of vector-borne diseases.