Effects of climate change on soil health resulting in an increased global spread of neglected tropical diseases

Although it is commonly accepted that climate change will increase the range and abundance of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) through increased rainfall and temperature, the role of soil and influence of soil health on this effect is not well understood. We propose that understanding the influenc...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PLoS neglected tropical diseases 2023-06, Vol.17 (6), p.e0011378-e0011378
Main Authors: Wasan, John Paul M, Wasan, Kishor M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Biology and Life Sciences
Climate change
Climate effects
Climatic changes
Dengue fever
Disease transmission
Earth Sciences
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Environmental aspects
Environmental conditions
Environmental quality
Health aspects
Land use
Medicine and Health Sciences
Parasitic diseases
Physical Sciences
Prevention
Public health
Rainfall
Soil
Soil erosion
Soil microbiology
Soil temperature
Soils
Tropical diseases
Vectors
Vectors (Biology)
Viewpoints
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Summary:Although it is commonly accepted that climate change will increase the range and abundance of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) through increased rainfall and temperature, the role of soil and influence of soil health on this effect is not well understood. We propose that understanding the influence of climate change on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of soils can explain how favourable environmental conditions for NTDs and vectors of NTDs to reproduce form. This, in turn, can assist local public health experts in predicting and managing the spread of NTDs. We also suggest that unlike unpredictable climatic factors, soil health can be directly managed through appropriate land use practices. This viewpoint seeks to start a discussion between soil scientists and healthcare professionals on how to achieve common goals and strategies required to manage the spread of NTDs.
ISSN:1935-2735
1935-2727
1935-2735
DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0011378