Tackling the effects of climate change on diarrheal diseases

Diarrheal disease is currently the third leading cause of death in children under the age of 5. Global climate projections of increased precipitation, flooding and drought threaten decades of progress achieved in reducing diarrheal disease burden.

Through a multidisciplinary approach, SPRINGS is investigating the interplay between shifting weather patterns, environmental changes, and the spread of diarrheal pathogens. By combining pathogen data with climate projections, we seek to enhance understanding of the factors influencing diarrheal spread and to predict future scenarios. Ultimately, we aim to facilitate informed decision-making and the implementation of targeted interventions to reduce the burden of diarrheal diseases in the face of climate change.

13 partners in Europe,
Africa, and USA

4 case studies: Ghana, Tanzania, Romania, Italy

4 pathogens monitored and studied

Surveillance Systems

Improved, integrated surveillance systems with climate-sensitive diarrheal disease indicators and risk assessment tools

Climate-Resilient Water Safety

Climate-sensitive water
safety planning in local settings

Policy assessments for health and climate change

Structured assessments of interventions across health and environmental sectors to protect our water and prevent diarrheal disease from climate threats

Case studies

To inform and prioritise effective political responses, investigations will be carried out in Ghana, Tanzania, Romania and Italy, with contrasting vulnerabilities to predict and measure local climate, water quality and pathogen-specific diarrheal disease burden.

Our partners

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