By Flavior Kanungo
INCREASED migration linked to climate change can potentially contribute to high risk of HIV and AIDS infection through various ways, an expert in Climate Change and Public Health at Lusaka Apex Medical University Mweetwa Mudenda has observed.
Mr Mudenda explained to science journalists during an online media cafè that displaced populations often face increased vulnerability due to limited access healthcare, disrupted livelihoods and inadequate shelter.
He said migrants, especially those in informal and irregular situations, may have limited access to healthcare services, including HIV testing, treatment, and prevention adding that barriers to healthcare contribute to delayed diagnosis and treatment, increasing the risk of HIV transmission.
“Climate change is associated with an increase in extreme weather events such as floods and droughts these events can disrupt healthcare services, leading to interruptions in the supply of antiretroviral medications and access to essential healthcare for individuals living with HIV,” Mr Mudenda said.
“Climate change can also influence the prevalence and distribution of vector-borne diseases, such as those carried by mosquitoes or ticks and these diseases can complicate the health of individuals living with HIV, potentially affecting disease progression and management,” He added.
Mr. Mudenda stated that migration, especially forced or unplanned migration, can result in economic strain and loss of livelihoods while individuals facing economic challenges may engage in riskier behaviors, such as transactional sex or substance abuse, which can increase the risk of HIV transmission.
He said addressing the intersection of climate change and HIV/AIDS requires comprehensive
approaches that integrate healthcare, social support, and environmental resilience hence understanding the paths connecting climate change to HIV/AIDS is vital for crafting effective public health strategies.
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