Towards youth-inclusive strategies for research on climate change and health in sub-saharan Africa

Abstract

Globally, young people are effecting significant changes in the field of climate change through various means, such as advocacy, education and awareness campaigns, litigation, innovative solutions, and volunteering. These youth-led initiatives are essential, considering that they will face the long-term health effects of climate change. The need to address disparities in climate and health-related research, policy, and program responses in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has never been greater, considering the increasingly pronounced effects of climate change on human health. Within the African continent, where research, policies and programs are predominantly shaped by older people, the inclusion of youth is vital to contribute effectively to the discourse on climate change. In this short communication, we reflect on the limited representation of young people as researchers within the African academy studying the links between climate change and health. We provide a rationale emphasizing the urgent need to build a robust community of researchers that encompasses youth. Our argument advocates for gender-responsive investments in training young researchers in climate change and health to deepen their understanding and address the disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations. We propose strategies to enhance their meaningful involvement in research and knowledge production in these fields.