Climate Change and Public Health: A Case Study of the Highveld Region of South Africa

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity and the planet earth.

It poses significant risks to human health, especially in regions that are already vulnerable to environmental and socio-economic stressors. One such region is the Highveld of South Africa, where mining activities have contributed to air pollution, water scarcity, land degradation and biodiversity loss. This article investigates the health implications of climate change in the Highveld, focusing on three main aspects: heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases and air pollution.

Heat-related illnesses are a direct consequence of rising temperatures and heat waves, which are projected to increase in frequency and intensity in South Africa under climate change scenarios. Heat stress can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and death, as well as exacerbate chronic conditions such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The elderly, children, outdoor workers and people with pre-existing health problems are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. According to a study by Wright et al. (2016), the number of heat-related deaths in South Africa could increase by 111% by 2050 compared to the baseline period of 1961-1990.

Vector-borne diseases are transmitted by insects or other animals that are influenced by climatic factors such as temperature, rainfall, humidity and vegetation. Climate change can alter the distribution, abundance and activity of vectors, as well as the transmission dynamics of the pathogens they carry. In South Africa, malaria is the most important vector-borne disease, affecting mainly the northeastern provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. However, climate change could expand the malaria risk areas to include parts of the Highveld, where the population is less immune and less prepared for the disease. Other vector-borne diseases that could pose a threat to the Highveld include dengue fever, yellow fever, Rift Valley fever and West Nile virus.

Air pollution is a major environmental and health problem in the Highveld, where coal mining and power generation have resulted in high levels of particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and ozone (O3). These pollutants can cause respiratory infections, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Climate change can worsen air quality by increasing temperatures, which enhance the formation of O3 and other secondary pollutants; reducing rainfall, which reduces the removal of pollutants by wet deposition; and changing wind patterns, which affect the dispersion and transport of pollutants. A study by Garland et al. (2017) estimated that air pollution in the Highveld causes about 2200 premature deaths per year, with an economic cost of R17 billion.

It is clear that climate change has a significant impact on public health, so the is an urgent need for integration of climate change and public health policies. Therefore, South Africa, like the rest of the developing nations needs to increase research, monitoring and evaluation of climate change effects on health; awareness-raising and education among health professionals and communities; integration of climate change into health policies and plans; collaboration and coordination among different sectors and levels of government; investment and innovation in low-carbon and climate-resilient development.