Climate change’s impact on health

From a global challenge to the Maasai steppe of the United Republic of Tanzania

EPISODE #5

24 August 2021

GUESTS:

Paul Gwakisa, Professor of Immunology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, United Republic of Tanzania

Pierre Quiblier, Programme Officer, Chemicals and Health Branch, United Nations Environment Programme

About this episode

Most climate change predictions show an upward trend in temperature for at least the next nine decades. Rural communities whose health and livelihoods depend on the environment are more vulnerable to climate change. In recent years, persistent droughts have made Maasai communities in northern Tanzania vulnerable to sleeping sickness, a disease spread by the tsetse fly. Paul Gwakisa of Sokoine University has dedicated his research to helping the Maasai people better understand and prevent outbreaks of sleeping sickness in their communities. Pierre Quiblier of the UN Environment Programme also speaks about global efforts to better tackle climate change through an integrated “One Health” approach that brings together sectors such as agriculture, health and the environment.

Biographies of our host and guests

Garry Aslanyan

Executive Producer and Host of the Global Health Matters podcast

Email: aslanyang@who.int

Paul Gwakisa

Professor of Immunology, Sokoine University of Agriculture, United Republic of Tanzania

Pierre Quiblier

Programme Officer, Chemicals and Health Branch, United Nations Environment Programme

Before you go, listen to our previous episodes