Climate Change and Parasitic Diseases in the Global South

Climate and weather have profound consequences for human health. Extreme weather events claim tens of thousands of lives each year and undermine the physical health of millions of people (IPCC, 2013). Climate variability also has significant repercussions on parasitic diseases, particularly malaria and schistosomiasis (WHO, 2012). Consequently, the impact of these global changes is not felt to the same extent across different geographic regions. However, it is generally the poorest and most vulnerable populations that are hardest hit (WHO, 2012). It is with this in mind that our study aims to better understand the degree of vulnerability of the populations of the city of Kaédi (southern Mauritania) to these two parasitic diseases. This understanding of vulnerability will help build the resilience of these populations, particularly through the implementation of tools and strategies capable of strengthening adaptation to climate change.