Impacts of Climate Change on Public Health Promotion in Zambia: Integrating Sustainable Development Processes

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Vol. 7 No. 1 (2026): Journal Siplieria Sciences
Published: Mar 30, 2026
Keywords:
Climate change,
Public health promotion,
Sustainable development,
Zambia,
Health equity,
Resilience

Main Article Content

Lydia Nema Amanzi
Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), St Eugene Office Park 39 P Lake Road Kabulonga Lusaka, Zambia
Mulala Jimaima
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, School of Agricultural Science, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5508-1839
Fredrick Kayusi
Department of Environmental Studies, Geography and Planning, Maasai Mara University, P.O. 861-20500, Narok-Kenya & Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences, Pwani University, P.O. 195-80108, Kilifi-Kenya
Yusuf Umer
Department of Natural Resources, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Haramaya University, P. O. Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
Petros Chavula
Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia & Africa Centre of Excellence for Climate-Smart Agriculture and Biodiversity Conservation, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Climate change poses profound threats to public health promotion, particularly in resource-constrained settings such as Zambia. Increasingly frequent droughts, floods, and heatwaves disrupt health service delivery, intensify disease burdens, and exacerbate inequities among vulnerable populations. This study systematically reviewed literature published between 2000 and 2024 to assess the impacts of climate change on public health promotion in Zambia and to identify pathways for integrating sustainable development into health strategies. Searches were conducted across major databases including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, CAB Abstracts, and Google Scholar, using combinations of terms related to climate change, health promotion, and sustainability. Eligible studies were screened through a three-stage process and data were extracted on climate stressors, health outcomes, and adaptation measures. A total of 18 studies met inclusion criteria and were synthesized thematically. Results demonstrate that climate change undermines health promotion through heightened risks of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, malnutrition, and psychosocial stress, while straining health infrastructure and sanitation systems. Promising interventions include enhanced disease surveillance, small-scale irrigation, climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy adoption in health facilities, and community-based awareness programs, though evidence on scalability remains limited. The discussion highlights that sustainable development processes such as education, renewable energy, waste management, reforestation, and community engagement are vital to transform climate challenges into opportunities for resilient health promotion. Embedding these processes into national development planning and health promotion strategies can enhance equity, strengthen adaptive capacity, and safeguard long-term well-being. In conclusion, climate change threatens to reverse health gains in Zambia, and integrating sustainable development into health promotion is critical for fostering resilience, advancing equity, and achieving global sustainability goals.

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