Digital Health for Climate Resilience

Numerous infectious diseases are directly influenced by temperature and precipitation through their effects on pathogen survival, vector biology, and transmission dynamics . Malaria shows a clear temperature relationship, with studies from Sub-Saharan Africa documenting a 10-20% increase in malaria cases per 1°C rise in temperature, while rainfall variation in East Africa is associated with 30-50% increases in malaria risk . Dengue fever exhibits an 8-10% increase in cases per 1°C rise in Southeast Asia, with rainfall variation in Latin America driving 20-30% increases in transmission . Lyme disease risk increases by approximately 20% per 1°C rise in North America, with higher humidity levels in Europe contributing to 15-25% increases in transmission . Cholera outbreaks are highly sensitive to both temperature and precipitation, with studies showing 10-20% increases in cases per 1°C rise in South Asia and 30-50% increases in cholera risk with increased rainfall in Sub-Saharan Africa . The Zika virus demonstrates 10-15% increases in cases per 1°C rise in South America, with rainfall variation in the Caribbean associated with 20-30% increases in transmission . Heat waves specifically create environments that favour the survival and propagation of various pathogens including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, while enhancing the activity and distribution of insect vectors