Climate- sensitive health outcomes in West Africa: Additional evidence that climate action cannot be delayed

The intensity of extreme weather events has been jeopardizing efforts towards achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially SDG 3 – health and wellbeing. This development is already reshaping life and threatening human existence in the West African sub-region, as most developing regions of the world (including West Africa) can be said to have experienced a higher portion of the adverse climate-related health impacts. To address this, the study investigates the impact of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on sensitive health outcomes in 15 West African countries, using Panel-Spatial Correlation Consistent augmented with Least Squares Dummy Variables (PSCC-LSDV) and Two-Step System Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). Findings reflect that human health could be harmed by increased CO2, given the significant negative impact of CO2 on life expectancy and a substantial positive influence on infant mortality rate. This implies that the association between climate change and human health deterioration seems to be strong. In particular, it is revealed that while high temperatures are synonymous with rising CO2 and children under five years old are particularly susceptible to the effects of heat exposure, increasing levels of emissions could lead to an escalation in heat-related deaths among children under five. By exacerbating many existing diseases and conditions, it is also stressed that the changing climate attributable to rising emissions remains a critical public health issue. It is therefore suggested that giving top priority to SDG 13, which centres on sustainable climate action, is crucial. Most especially, through effective urban planning that entails increased greenery and rising provision of social and health services, good emergency plans such that in the period of heat waves, water fountains, air-conditioned spaces and public washrooms are adequately provided and accessible, and reduced exposure to heat by providing adequate information regarding heat stress and sound heat alert systems.