Climate-Related Diseases and Health Impacts of Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa

Climate change is a leading public health concern of the twenty-first century and has implications for population health globally. In this chapter, we present a general overview of what climate change is and how its direct and indirect effects are associated with disease prevalence and population health outcomes. In discussing these associations, examples of climate-related diseases and other health conditions highlighted in the literature are presented. Further, we share the findings of a few local and international studies to buttress the general outline given in this chapter. Health effects of climate change among different age groups and on sexual and reproductive health are also outlined. Essentially, the chapter is structured and written to serve as a basic text in educating a varied audience on the health effects of climate change.