Gaps and opportunities for data systems and economics to support priority setting for climate-sensitive infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: A rapid scoping review.

Climate change alters risks associated with climate-sensitive infectious diseases (CSIDs) with pandemic potential. This poses additional threats to already vulnerable populations, further amplified by social factors such as gender inequalities. Currently, critical evidence gaps, along with inadequat...

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Main Authors: Ellie A Delight, Ariel A Brunn, Francis Ruiz, Jessica Gerard, Jane Falconer, Yang Liu, Bubacarr Bah, Bernard Bett, Benjamin Uzochukwu, Oladeji K Oloko, Esther Njuguna, Kris A Murray
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLOS Global Public Health
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003814
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author Ellie A Delight
Ariel A Brunn
Francis Ruiz
Jessica Gerard
Jane Falconer
Yang Liu
Bubacarr Bah
Bernard Bett
Benjamin Uzochukwu
Oladeji K Oloko
Esther Njuguna
Kris A Murray
author_facet Ellie A Delight
Ariel A Brunn
Francis Ruiz
Jessica Gerard
Jane Falconer
Yang Liu
Bubacarr Bah
Bernard Bett
Benjamin Uzochukwu
Oladeji K Oloko
Esther Njuguna
Kris A Murray
author_sort Ellie A Delight
collection DOAJ
description Climate change alters risks associated with climate-sensitive infectious diseases (CSIDs) with pandemic potential. This poses additional threats to already vulnerable populations, further amplified by social factors such as gender inequalities. Currently, critical evidence gaps, along with inadequate institutional and governance mechanisms, hinder African states' ability to prevent, detect and respond to CSIDs. Effective responses require transparent and evidence-based decision-making processes, supported by fit-for-purpose data systems and robust economic analyses. The aim of this study was to explore the role of data systems and economics in priority setting for CSID pandemic preparedness in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a rapid scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A literature search was performed across six bibliographic databases in November 2023. A list of 14 target CSIDs was produced, informed by the World Health Organization's Public Health Emergencies of International Concern and R&D Blueprint Pathogen lists, and a database of CSIDs. Studies were included if published between 2010 and 2023, were relevant to sub-Saharan Africa, pandemic preparedness, and a target CSID, and applied or assessed economic evaluations or data systems. Extracted data were synthesised using bibliometric analysis, topic categorisation, and a narrative synthesis including the application of a gender lens. We identified 68 relevant studies. Data system studies (n = 50) showed broad coverage across target CSIDs and the WHO AFRO region but also a high degree of heterogeneity, which may indicate a lack of clearly defined standards or research priorities. Economic studies (n = 18) primarily focused on COVID-19 or Ebola and mostly originated from South Africa. Both data system and economic studies identified limited interoperability across sectors and showed a notable absence of gendered considerations. These gaps present important opportunities to strengthen priority setting during pandemics and may contribute to improved and equitable health outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-573cf9cc9ff84dcbb26278100952f81d2025-08-20T03:20:12ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLOS Global Public Health2767-33752025-01-0156e000381410.1371/journal.pgph.0003814Gaps and opportunities for data systems and economics to support priority setting for climate-sensitive infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: A rapid scoping review.Ellie A DelightAriel A BrunnFrancis RuizJessica GerardJane FalconerYang LiuBubacarr BahBernard BettBenjamin UzochukwuOladeji K OlokoEsther NjugunaKris A MurrayClimate change alters risks associated with climate-sensitive infectious diseases (CSIDs) with pandemic potential. This poses additional threats to already vulnerable populations, further amplified by social factors such as gender inequalities. Currently, critical evidence gaps, along with inadequate institutional and governance mechanisms, hinder African states' ability to prevent, detect and respond to CSIDs. Effective responses require transparent and evidence-based decision-making processes, supported by fit-for-purpose data systems and robust economic analyses. The aim of this study was to explore the role of data systems and economics in priority setting for CSID pandemic preparedness in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted a rapid scoping review following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A literature search was performed across six bibliographic databases in November 2023. A list of 14 target CSIDs was produced, informed by the World Health Organization's Public Health Emergencies of International Concern and R&D Blueprint Pathogen lists, and a database of CSIDs. Studies were included if published between 2010 and 2023, were relevant to sub-Saharan Africa, pandemic preparedness, and a target CSID, and applied or assessed economic evaluations or data systems. Extracted data were synthesised using bibliometric analysis, topic categorisation, and a narrative synthesis including the application of a gender lens. We identified 68 relevant studies. Data system studies (n = 50) showed broad coverage across target CSIDs and the WHO AFRO region but also a high degree of heterogeneity, which may indicate a lack of clearly defined standards or research priorities. Economic studies (n = 18) primarily focused on COVID-19 or Ebola and mostly originated from South Africa. Both data system and economic studies identified limited interoperability across sectors and showed a notable absence of gendered considerations. These gaps present important opportunities to strengthen priority setting during pandemics and may contribute to improved and equitable health outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003814
spellingShingle Ellie A Delight
Ariel A Brunn
Francis Ruiz
Jessica Gerard
Jane Falconer
Yang Liu
Bubacarr Bah
Bernard Bett
Benjamin Uzochukwu
Oladeji K Oloko
Esther Njuguna
Kris A Murray
Gaps and opportunities for data systems and economics to support priority setting for climate-sensitive infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: A rapid scoping review.
PLOS Global Public Health
title Gaps and opportunities for data systems and economics to support priority setting for climate-sensitive infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: A rapid scoping review.
title_full Gaps and opportunities for data systems and economics to support priority setting for climate-sensitive infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: A rapid scoping review.
title_fullStr Gaps and opportunities for data systems and economics to support priority setting for climate-sensitive infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: A rapid scoping review.
title_full_unstemmed Gaps and opportunities for data systems and economics to support priority setting for climate-sensitive infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: A rapid scoping review.
title_short Gaps and opportunities for data systems and economics to support priority setting for climate-sensitive infectious diseases in sub-Saharan Africa: A rapid scoping review.
title_sort gaps and opportunities for data systems and economics to support priority setting for climate sensitive infectious diseases in sub saharan africa a rapid scoping review
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0003814
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