Climate Change and Mortality Rate in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Abstract
This study examines the health repercussions of climate change across fifteen sub‑Saharan African countries over the period 1995–2020, with a particular focus on mortality outcomes among infants, children under five, pregnant women, and mothers. Employing the Pooled Mean Group (PMG) estimator on panel data sourced from the World Bank and the World Health Organization, we quantify both short‑ and long‑run effects of environmental and socioeconomic variables on mortality rates. Our long‑run estimates indicate that carbon damage exerts a significant positive effect on overall mortality, while rising humidity is associated with increases in infant and under‑five mortality. In contrast, higher precipitation contributes to reduced mortality in these age groups. Consistent with expectations, increased health expenditure per capita significantly lowers mortality rates, whereas the crop production index exhibits only a marginal, statistically insignificant impact. These findings underscore the grave threat that climate change poses to public health in sub‑Saharan Africa, exacerbating food insecurity, facilitating disease outbreaks, and intensifying extreme weather events. To mitigate these adverse outcomes, we advocate for substantial investments in climate‑resilient health infrastructure, expanded health financing, and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices tailored to the region’s diverse agro‑ecological zones.
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