We Know What We're Doing: The Youth-Led Movement for Clean Air
In this insightful episode of Conversations on Climate Change and Health, we spotlight a bold, youth-led movement that's transforming the air we breathe. From the crowded streets of Accra to the alleys of Nairobi, young citizens are rising—not just with placards, but with precision advocacy powered by science.
🎧 Join us as we chat with Lord and Becky from the Accra Cityzens Hub (UrbanBetter Science) — a dynamic initiative where youth collect real-time air quality data, craft policy briefs, and lead awareness campaigns that are reshaping urban health narratives. From influencing marathon safety protocols to training young advocates, their impact is undeniable.
🔬 In our Research Spotlight, we travel to Mathare, Kenya, where a landmark study, "Why Participation Matters for Air Quality Studies", shows how community involvement in air monitoring can drive real change. Because when communities lead, transformation follows.
This is more than air pollution—this is a public health movement.
💡 Tune in. Be inspired. And remember: we know what we're doing.
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📚 Resource Spotlight:Why Participation Matters for Air Quality Studies: Risk Perceptions, Understandings of Air Pollution and Mobilization in a Poor Neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya
🔗 Read on PubMed
In this insightful episode of "Conversations on Climate Change and Health," we unpack how a warming world is reshaping our well-being by acting as a powerful risk multiplier for infectious diseases. We zoom in on schistosomiasis, a waterborne parasitic disease that is becoming more widespread, persistent, and harder to control as rainfall patterns shift, floodwaters rise, and temperatures warm, creating new habitats for disease-carrying organisms.
Our special guest, Madam Fatima Amponsah, a lecturer in the Microbiology Department at the University for Development Studies in Tamale, Ghana, shares her expertise on this neglected tropical disease. She explains that schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is caused by a parasite that enters the body through contact with contaminated water bodies, with water snails acting as carriers. While over 250 million people are affected globally, a staggering 90% of this population is from sub-Saharan Africa, including over 10 million people in Ghana.
Madam Amponsah draws a clear connection between climate change and the disease's transmission, noting that the parasite and its host thrive in optimum temperatures of 27 to 35∘C, which are now being exceeded due to climate change. She highlights how water scarcity, caused by less rainfall and the drying up of water bodies, forces communities in places like the Tolon District of northern Ghana to depend on contaminated dams originally meant for agriculture, thereby perpetuating the infection cycle.
The episode sheds light on the severe impact of schistosomiasis, particularly on women and girls in these communities. Their role in fetching water exposes them to the parasite, leading to female genital schistosomiasis. This often results in girls dropping out of school.
We delve into effective strategies and interventions, emphasizing the need for clean and segregated water systems for both humans and animals, widespread awareness campaigns linking climate change to parasitic infections, and comprehensive treatment programs that include all affected community members, not just school-going children. Madam Amponsah stresses that schistosomiasis, being the second most prevalent neglected tropical disease after malaria, requires equal attention and resources.
The episode concludes with a powerful call to action for governments, non-governmental organizations, donor agencies, and community members to collaborate in fighting schistosomiasis. It underscores that proper sanitation is crucial for interrupting the parasite's cycle. Join us to understand this silent threat and learn how tackling climate change can create healthier futures for all.
What if the air you breathe and the heat you feel are silently shaping your ability to start a family? The science is clear—climate change isn’t just melting ice caps; it’s altering our bodies in ways you’d never expect.
In this eye-opening episode of Conversations on Climate Change and Health, host Nana Adjoa sits down with sustainability scientist Miss Josephine Boateng to unravel the shocking connections between climate change and reproductive health.
Josephine explains how extreme heat, air pollution, and sea-level rise are linked to infertility, preterm births, and even gender-based violence. Josephine shares her research on vulnerable communities in Ghana, where women face impossible choices as their environments collapse around them.
Tune in to learn why climate action is reproductive justice—and how you can be part of the solution.
Stay curious. Stay informed. Take action.
Summary
This conversation explores the critical intersection of climate change and healthcare, focusing on how extreme weather events impact healthcare provision in Ghana. The discussion highlights the challenges faced by healthcare systems, the need for resilient infrastructure, and innovative solutions to adapt to climate extremes. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of community engagement and research in addressing these pressing issues.
Takeaways
This episode explores the intricate relationship between climate change and health, focusing on the recent cholera outbreak in Ghana. It discusses how climate change contributes to the spread of cholera through extreme weather patterns, rising temperatures, and inadequate sanitation. Personal stories from affected individuals highlight the human impact of cholera outbreaks, emphasizing the need for better infrastructure and preventive measures. The conversation concludes with actionable solutions to mitigate the health impacts of climate change.
Wishing you a joyous Christmas season and a prosperous New Year!
As the holiday season approaches, it's essential to remain vigilant about climate-related health risks. Stay informed, take necessary precautions, and prioritize your well-being.
We look forward to connecting with you again in the new year
This conversation explores the critical intersection of climate change and health, particularly focusing on how climate change exacerbates gender-based violence. It highlights the vulnerabilities faced by women and marginalized communities during extreme weather events and the need for targeted interventions and community engagement to address these issues effectively.
Welcome to the Conversations on Climate Change and Health, where we unpack the critical intersection of climate change and health, inspired by key findings from the WHO COP29 special report. This episode dives into the profound impacts of climate change on global health, from exacerbating non-communicable diseases and maternal risks to food insecurity and mental health challenges. Discover how rising temperatures, air pollution, and extreme weather events strain healthcare systems and vulnerable populations. Explore actionable priorities, like innovative health financing and integrating health into climate policies, to protect future generations. Join us in this vital conversation—because a healthy population is the foundation of prosperity. Stay informed, stay curious, and take action.
Join us in this compelling podcast episode as we explore the profound and often overlooked connection between climate change and mental health. Our guest, Sylvia Hagan, a Ph.D. candidate in psychology, discusses her pioneering work on the mental health impacts of climate change within coastal communities in Ghana. We delve into the effects of environmental stressors—like rising sea levels and extreme temperatures—on mental well-being, touching on anxiety, trauma, and the challenges of displacement. Sylvia shares insights on fostering community resilience and the role of mental health supports in climate action. Don’t miss this vital conversation on building healthier mindsets amidst climate challenges.
In this compelling episode of Conversations on Climate Change and Health, we dive into the critical and often overlooked topic of how climate change is affecting the health of children around the world. From air pollution to floods, droughts, and illegal mining, we explore the devastating impacts on children's respiratory health, mental well-being, and future opportunities. Highlighting real-life stories and statistics, this episode calls for urgent action to secure a healthier, more sustainable planet for generations to come.
Stay curious, stay informed, and join the movement for change!
In this episode of "Conversations on Climate Change and Health," we dive into the intricate relationship between climate change and its impact on cerebrospinal meningitis (CSM) in Ghana. I am joined by Dr. Yaw Boafo, a senior research fellow at the Center for Climate Change and Sustainability Studies, who sheds light on how rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and environmental shifts contribute to the spread of CSM. Through expert insights and community voices, we explore how climate variables influence disease outbreaks, the importance of early detection, adaptation strategies, and the role of public health policies in combating this critical issue. Join us as we connect the dots and discuss how nature-based solutions can help protect our health in a changing climate. Don't miss this long-overdue conversation!
In the first episode of the Climate Change and Health podcast, we explore the intricate relationship between climate change and its impact on health in Ghana. From shifting weather patterns affecting food production to rising temperatures increasing heat-related illnesses, respiratory ailments, and expanding malaria risk, we uncover how climate change is already altering daily life. The episode also highlights the mental health toll of environmental changes, water scarcity issues, and recent research linking climate change to heart disease, anxiety, and cholera outbreaks. Join us as we connect the dots between climate change and health, emphasising the importance of adaptation and solutions for a healthier future.
Introduction to the climate change and health conversations. This weekly podcast series will discuss varied topics on the intersection between climate change and health across Africa!
