Land‐Use Change and Infectious Disease in West Africa

摘要: Land-use change has been associated with changes in the dynamics of infectious disease West Africa. Here we describe complex interactions land-use three diseases (both vector- and non-vector-borne) considerable public health significance this region, namely, malaria irrigation; epidemic meningitis land degradation; onchocerciasis deforestation. We highlight confounding effect climate variability, which acts as a driver both human health. conclude, have others, that scale observation always matters, dynamic feedbacks among social-ecological systems are not easily teased apart. suggest order to establish causal chain between outcomes two approaches necessary. The first is thorough understanding aetiology specific mechanisms by variability affect transmission pathogens. This achieved focused, detailed studies encompassing wide range potential drivers, inevitably small often cover short time periods. second consists large-scale statistical associations indices or environmental variables stratified known ecological socio-economic confounders, sufficient size overcome local biases results. Such research activities need be designed inform each other if develop predictive models for monitoring these integrated programs sustainable use.