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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 40458106 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1582550

Collective learning for resilience in Global South cities: a community-based systems mapping approach to integrated climate and health action.

Front Public Health 13:1582550

Authors: Lidia Maria de Oliveira Morais, Elis Borde, Lambed Tatah, Meelan Thondoo, Feyisayo A Wayas, Georgiana Gordon-Strachan, Charles Obonyo, Felix Assah, Tolu Oni, Waleska Teixeira Caiaffa, Leandro Garcia

Affiliations

  • Observatory for Urban Health in Belo Horizonte, Federal University of Minas Gerais (OSUBH/UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
  • MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
  • Health of Population in Transition Research Group, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
  • Research Centre for Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sport, Division of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Tropical Metabolism Research Unit, Caribbean Institute for Health Research, University of West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.
  • Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya.
  • Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom.

Abstract

Introduction

Cities in the Global South face escalating climate change challenges, including extreme weather events that disproportionately affect marginalized populations and exacerbate health risks, such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Climate resilience, defined as the capacity to adapt and recover from climate-related events, requires intersectoral collaboration between governments and civil society.

Methods

This study employs a Community-based System Dynamics approach, leveraging shared learning across four cities-Belo Horizonte (BH, Brazil), Yaoundé (Cameroon), Kingston (Jamaica), and Kisumu (Kenya)-through the Global Diet and Activity Research Network (GDAR). An implementation of the method in BH is detailed, examining drivers and interdependencies shaping community-based climate resilience strategies against heavy rainfalls.

Results

In BH, findings highlight the interplay between urbanization risks, vulnerabilities, heavy rainfall, and NCDs, with visibility, resources, education, and training identified as critical intervention points.

Conclusion

This study underscores the importance of aligning community action with public policy and highlights opportunities for collective learning and resilience-building for climate change in Global South cities.

MeSH

Climate, Public Health, Cities, Learning