Climate change poses escalating health risks across Africa, yet health remains underrepresented in national adaptation agendas. This study by our partner Regenerate Africa, and supported by the Population Institute and Panorama Global, reviewed the climate-related policy frameworks for eight sub-Saharan African countries to assess gaps and opportunities for effective health integration into climate agendas. Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda have begun incorporating health considerations into climate adaptation efforts through the development of Health National Adaptation Plans (HNAPs), establishment of One Health initiatives, and implementation of climate-smart health pilot projects. However, significant gaps remain. Climate policies continue to prioritize health narrowly, focusing on vector-borne diseases while overlooking critical areas such as noncommunicable diseases, mental health and psychosocial well-being, pollution-related illnesses, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and water, sanitation, and hygiene.
