Climate Change Fuels the Spread of Neglected Tropical Diseases and Malaria: Urgent Call for Research and Action

A recent scoping review by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Task Team on Climate Change, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and Malaria, in collaboration with Reaching the Last Mile (RLM), has revealed an urgent need for more research on how climate change impacts these diseases. The study, which analyzed over 42,000 articles, found that rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are expanding the range of disease vectors like mosquitoes, threatening to reverse decades of progress in combating malaria and NTDs. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive, collaborative, and standardized research to develop effective mitigation and adaptation strategies.

The intersection of climate change and global health is increasingly becoming a focal point for researchers and policymakers worldwide. A major scoping review conducted by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Task Team on Climate Change, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), and Malaria, in partnership with Reaching the Last Mile (RLM), has brought to light the urgent need for extensive research on the impact of climate change on these diseases. This groundbreaking study, published in the Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, examined 42,693 articles and found significant gaps in our understanding of how human-induced climate changes affect malaria and NTDs.

Rising Temperatures and Shifting Disease Patterns

Climate change is not just a future threat but a present reality, with rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns already altering the spread of vector-borne diseases. As the climate warms, the geographic range of disease vectors like mosquitoes is expanding, increasing the risk of diseases such as malaria and NTDs spreading to new, unprepared areas. This trend has profound implications for global health, particularly in regions that are already disproportionately affected by these diseases.

Dr. Ibrahima Socé Fall, Director of WHO’s Global NTD Programme and the lead on the study, stressed the crucial nature of the findings. "This review highlights the need for more comprehensive, collaborative, and standardized modeling to better understand and predict the effects of climate change on malaria and NTDs, both directly and indirectly," he said. "The review uncovers alarming trends and calls for urgent action. Malaria is expected to spread towards the poles and higher altitudes, while mosquitoes that transmit dengue and chikungunya are likely to continue expanding into new areas. To safeguard and build upon the hard-won victories of the past two decades, we must act now."

A Call for Urgent Action and Investment

The scoping review's findings underscore the need for increased investment in research to support the development of evidence-based interventions. Tala Al-Ramahi, Chief Strategy Officer of Reaching the Last Mile, highlighted the potential consequences of inaction. “The climate crisis has the potential to reverse decades of progress in global health and development,” she said. "We urgently need more investment in research to develop timely, evidence-based interventions and to help us predict and lessen the worst impacts of climate change on human health."

Despite the critical need, the review found that only 34% of the studies addressed mitigation strategies, and a mere 5% focused on adaptation methods. This lack of evidence-based strategies poses a significant threat to the gains made against malaria and NTDs in recent decades. As the climate continues to change, the absence of comprehensive data and effective strategies could lead to a resurgence of these diseases, particularly in vulnerable communities.

The Impact on Vulnerable Communities

The review highlights a troubling trend: research has often focused on countries with low disease burdens but high access to quality healthcare, as measured by the Healthcare Access and Quality Index (HAQI). This focus neglects the regions most at risk, where the effects of climate change on malaria and NTDs are expected to be most severe.

Dr. Daniel Ngamije Madandi, Director of WHO’s Global Malaria Programme, stressed the need for a more equitable response. “We have recently seen the consequences of extreme weather events on malaria, and they are only predicted to become more commonplace. This paper serves as a strong call for action to address and adapt to climate change based on solid evidence," he said. "Because the poorest people, who already endure the most from malaria and NTDs, are likely to be hit hardest by climate change, we need a response that is fair, comprehensive, and sustainable."

The Need for Comprehensive and Collaborative Research

To assess the impact of climate change on malaria and NTDs, the scoping review analyzed peer-reviewed papers and grey literature published between January 2010 and October 2023. The review retrieved 42,693 records, of which 1,543 full-text papers were examined. Researchers correlated the number of publications with national disease burdens, HAQI, and climate vulnerability scores. Of the 511 papers that met the inclusion criteria, 185 addressed malaria, 181 focused on dengue and chikungunya, and 53 reported outcomes on leishmaniasis. However, many other NTDs were significantly underrepresented.

The findings point to a pressing need for more comprehensive and standardized research. By pooling resources and expertise, the global health community can develop a deeper understanding of how climate change is impacting malaria and NTDs, and how to effectively mitigate and adapt to these changes.

Moving Forward: Strategies and Recommendations

The scoping review calls for a multi-faceted approach to addressing the impact of climate change on malaria and NTDs. Key recommendations include:

• Increased Investment in Research: Governments, international organizations, and private sectors need to invest more in research to understand the complex relationship between climate change and disease transmission.

• Collaborative Efforts: A coordinated global effort is required to share data, resources, and expertise. Collaborative research can lead to more effective and scalable solutions.

• Focus on Vulnerable Regions: Research and interventions should prioritize regions with high disease burdens and low access to quality healthcare to ensure an equitable response.

• Development of Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies: Comprehensive strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on health and adapt to changing conditions are crucial. This includes improving healthcare infrastructure, enhancing disease surveillance, and developing new treatments and vaccines.

• Policy Integration: Climate change and health policies should be integrated to create a unified approach to addressing the health impacts of climate change. This requires collaboration between health ministries, environmental agencies, and international bodies.

Conclusion

The scoping review by WHO’s Task Team on Climate Change, Neglected Tropical Diseases, and Malaria, along with Reaching the Last Mile, underscores the urgent need for more research and action to address the impacts of climate change on these diseases. With rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns, the geographic range of disease vectors is expanding, posing significant risks to global health. To protect the progress made over the past decades and prevent future outbreaks, a comprehensive, collaborative, and equitable approach is needed. The time to act is now.

FAQs

Q1. What is the main finding of the WHO scoping review on climate change and NTDs?

Ans: The review highlights significant gaps in understanding how climate change impacts malaria and NTDs and calls for more comprehensive, collaborative, and standardized research.

Q2. Why is there an urgent need for more research on climate change and these diseases?

Ans: Rising temperatures and changing weather patterns are expanding the range of disease vectors like mosquitoes, increasing the risk of these diseases spreading to new areas.

Q3. What regions are most at risk from the impacts of climate change on malaria and NTDs?

Ans: Vulnerable regions with high disease burdens and low access to quality healthcare are most at risk, as they are already disproportionately affected by these diseases.

Q4. What recommendations does the review make for addressing these challenges?

Ans: The review calls for increased investment in research, collaborative efforts, a focus on vulnerable regions, development of mitigation and adaptation strategies, and integration of climate change and health policies.

Q5. How can the global health community respond to these findings?

Ans: By pooling resources and expertise, the global health community can develop effective strategies to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change on malaria and NTDs.