Short and Long-Term Impacts of Climate Change on Population Health in Yemen

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the levels to which the Yemeni population is vulnerable to the short and long terms adverse effect of climatic change. A qualitative assessment of vulnerability has been conducted through focus group discussion targeting the leadership and decision makers in the ministry of public health and population to know the extent of their knowledge about the level of the impact of climate change on the health of Yemeni population, in addition to the development of two baseline socioeconomic scenarios that have been linked to climate change scenarios projections.  The results showed that both Yemen population growth and climate change are inevitably occurring and these two factors are the main determinants of vulnerability. Other factors that will determine future health vulnerability include; the current public health status, the age - sex structure of the population, socioeconomic development status and the political and security stability of government.Climate change synergized with the current massive war and low socioeconomic standards with deepening poverty and hunger would threat the progress and efforts of reducing the burden of climate-sensitive disease mainly vectorborne, waterborne and chronic non- communicable disease with the re-emerging of health-related diseases and injuries leading to deterioration of most health indicators. Population’s health vulnerability to climate change and impact of climate change on population’s health will be so severe in 2050 and 2100 under scenario A than Scenario B indicating the needs for sound and cost-effective adaptive strategies for the public health care sector.

Keywords: Climate Change, Vulnerability, Adaptation, Health, disease

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-11-07

Publication date: November 30^th 2020