COMMUNICATING CLIMATE-RELATED HEALTH RISKS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Keywords:
Climate Change, Health Vulnerabilities, Risk Communication, Local Communities, Nigeria.Abstract
Scientific reports on climate-related health risks contain large amounts of information and academic jargon that are often difficult to understand by non-experts. Effectively communicating the health consequences of climate change in simplified contexts remains crucial for raising local awareness and enhancing individual and community response to climate-related health initiatives, especially in tropical cities. Using two purposefully designed semi-structured questionnaires administered to 150 respondents randomly selected across targeted groups, including children and adolescents, adults, and the elderly in Ado-Ekiti, an emerging city in Southwest Nigeria, this study investigates the communication tools that can most effectively disseminate information on climate-related health risks on a more personal level. It examines the communication barriers that limit people’s access, understanding and attitudes toward climate-related health information. The study’s findings could provide valuable insights that can improve how climate-related health concerns and mitigation policies are communicated to local communities, ultimately reducing population health risks.
