Abstract
The literature has shown evidence of human’s vulnerability to climate change with the significant and emerging threat. The balance of effects on health is negative, and populations in low-income countries are more vulnerable to the adverse effects which raise the need for more attention and effective interventions. This chapter aims to assess the potential health problems induced by climate variabilities such as heat stress, air pollution, waterborne disease, and vector-borne disease on the health of inhabitants in the locality of Bafoussam in the western region of Cameroon. It also highlights the multiple health problems as well as challenges and opportunities in the face of increasing climate variability in that region. For this purpose, the author undertakes a stakeholder’s interview (n = 235) coupled with the author’s observation. The author interviewed farmers (n = 50), households (n = 60), office workers (n = 60), and street sellers (n = 65) with questions focused on identifying different health problems caused by the changing climate. The interviews also sought to explore interviewees’ interpretation of climate change impact and awareness. Data were analyzed using SurveyMonkey and Excel data sheet and then presented analytically. Results reveal that climate change-related health problems are increasing in western Cameroon. All participants (100%) have agreed to have perceived a change in their health which is related to climate change. More than 90% (96%) reported that extreme heat and air pollution-related pulmonary diseases had increased mortality and morbidity in the region. Moreover, this paper presents that climate change has intensified harmful interactions between vector-borne and waterborne diseases. To manage that threat, implementation of city’s risk management plans for climate change will potentially provide health benefits to inhabitants as well as the adoption of specific proactive measure through the establishment of local early warning system for health effect of climate change.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Dapi LN, Rocklöv J, Nguefack-Tsague G, Tetanye E, Kjellstrom K (2010) Heat impact on schoolchildren in Cameroon, Africa: potential health threat from climate change. Glob Health Action 3(1):5610. https://doi.org/10.3402/gha.v3i0.5610
Gambo A, Rabiatou Y, Bamboye G (2010) Indigenous Women and Climate Change in South and North West. Cameroon. Retrieved from http://www.tebtebba.org/index.php/all-resources/category/95-presentations?download=548:Cameroon-308indigenous-women-and-climate-change-in-south-and-north-west-came
Harrus S, Baneth G (2005) Drivers for the emergence and re-emergence of vector-borne protozoal and bacterial diseases. Int J Parasitol 35:1309–1318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpara.2005.06.005
Indigenous Women and Climate Change in South and North (2017) Retrieved from http://www.tebtebba.org/index.php/all-resources/category/95-presentations?download=548:Cameroon-indigenous-women-and-climate-change-in-south-and-north-west-came
Kovats RS, Edwards SJ, Hajat S, Armstrong BG, Ebi KL, Menne B (2004) The effect of temperature on food poisoning: a time-series analysis of salmonellosis in ten European countries. Epidemiol Infect 132(3):443–453. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0950268804001992
Leal Filho W, Azeiteiro UM, Alves F (2016) Climate change and health- improving resilience and reducing risks. Springer, Cham
MINSANTE (2015) Retrieved 17 Apr 2018 from http://www.minsante.cm/
Nations Encyclopaedia Africa Cameroon, NEAC (2016a) Ministry of Public Health in Cameroon. Retrieved 20 Apr 2018 from https://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Africa/Cameroon.html
Nations Encyclopaedia Africa Cameroon, NEAC (2016b) Retrieved 20 Apr 2018 from https://www.encyclopedia.com/places/africa/cameroon-political-geography/cameroon
Patz AJ (2000) Effects of environmental change on emerging parasitic diseases. Int J Parasitol 30:1395–1405
Plan National d’Adaptation au Changement Climatique (PNACC) (2015) Retrieved 16 Apr 2018 from http://www.gwp.org/fr/GWP-Afrique-Centrale/PARTENAIRES/Cameroun/PUBLICATIONS/WACDEP-Cameroon/
Tosam MJ, Mbih RA (2015) Climate change, health, and sustainable development in Africa. ResearchGate 17(4):787. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-014-9575-0
Uneke C (2008) Deforestation and malaria in sub-Saharan Africa: an overview. Internet J Trop Med 6(1). Retrieved May 2018 from http://ispub.com/IJTM/6/1/11734
United Nations Development Program UNDP Annual Report (2016) Retrieved 15 Apr 2018, from http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/corporate/undp_in_action_2008.html
Vora N (2008) Impact of anthropogenic environmental alterations on vector-borne diseases. Medscape J Medicine 10(10):238
World Factbook -Central Intelligence Agency (2016) Retrieved 01 May 2018 from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/us.html
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Fudjumdjum, H. (2020). Impacts of Climate Change on Health: Evidences from Multi-stakeholders in the Western Region of Cameroon. In: Leal Filho, W. (eds) Handbook of Climate Change Resilience. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93336-8_174
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93336-8_174
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-93335-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-93336-8
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceReference Module Physical and Materials ScienceReference Module Earth and Environmental Sciences