Climate Change and Public Health in South-South Nigeria's Rural Areas: Engaging Communities in Strategic Mitigation of Malaria, Cholera and other Heat-Related illnesses via Digital Citizen Science"

Climate change is a global phenomenon that has significant impacts on human health, particularly in rural areas where people are more vulnerable to its effects. In Nigeria, the South-South region is one of the most affected and Most Vulnerable Places (MVPs) to climate change, with rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events. These changes have significant implications for public health, particularly in rural areas where access to healthcare is limited. Mitigating malaria, cholera and other heat- related illnesses in South-South Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach focusing on prevention, surveillance, and early detection and community engagement.The study explores the potentialities of Digital Citizen Science Observatories as an intervention to enhance community resilience and adaptive capacities. Through Digital Citizen Science, local communities participate in monitoring climate-health links, contributing to data collection, analysis, and interpretation. This approach empowers communities with knowledge and tools for decision-making on climate-related health risks. Findings highlight the promise of Digital Citizen Science in bridging gaps in climate-health data, improving early warning systems, and empowering communities for better health outcomes amidst climate change. The intervention's effectiveness in improving public health outcomes in the context of climate change in South-South Nigeria's rural areas is assessed.