The impacts of climate change on health and disease incidence, particularly zoonotic diseases, are well documented and are on the rise. For nearly 20 years, Conservation through Public Health (CTPH) has been conducting a comparative disease analysis of zoonotic disease prevalence among gorillas, livestock, and people living near the critical Mountain Gorilla habitat in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP).
Using recorded fluctuations in disease incidence and transmission, W&M and Ugandan students will use GIS to map disease patterns in gorillas, livestock, and people. They will explore how water resources and climate change may influence these patterns. This research will inform CTPH's management of cross-species disease transmission, which is vital for the survival of mountain gorillas and the health of local communities. Additionally, the project will assess local community understanding of the links between climate change and deteriorating health outcomes, as well as how they are adapting to its impacts. The findings will contribute to programming focused on human behavior change communication related to climate change and health.
