Anthropogenic forest loss and malaria prevalence: a comparative examination of the causes and disease consequences of deforestation in developing nations

Kelly F. Austin; Megan O. Bellinger; Priyokti Rana; Kelly F. Austin; Megan O. Bellinger; Priyokti Rana

doi:10.3934/environsci.2017.2.217

AIMS Environmental Science

2017, Volume 4, Issue 2: 217-231. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2017.2.217

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Research article Topical Sections

Anthropogenic forest loss and malaria prevalence: a comparative examination of the causes and disease consequences of deforestation in developing nations

1.
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Lehigh University
2.
Integrated Degree in Engineering, Arts, and Sciences, Lehigh University

Received: 31 October 2016 Accepted: 27 February 2017 Published: 01 March 2017

Malaria represents an infectious disease keenly tied to environmental conditions, as mosquitoes represent the disease vector. Many studies are beginning to document that changes in environmental conditions, such as deforestation, can greatly alter the density and activity of mosquito populations and therefore malaria rates. While numerous epidemiological studies examine the links between forest loss and mosquito proliferation in distinct locales, comparative assessments across multiple sites are lacking. We attempt to address this gap by imparting a cross-national analysis of less-developed, non-desert, malaria endemic nations. Using a structural equation model of 67 nations, we find positive associations between deforestation rates and malaria prevalence across nations. Our results also suggest that rural population growth and specialization in agriculture are two key influences on forest loss in developing nations. Thus, anthropogenic drivers of environmental degradation are important to consider in explaining cross-national variation in malaria rates.
- malaria,
- deforestation,
- infectious disease
Citation: Kelly F. Austin, Megan O. Bellinger, Priyokti Rana. Anthropogenic forest loss and malaria prevalence: a comparative examination of the causes and disease consequences of deforestation in developing nations[J]. AIMS Environmental Science, 2017, 4(2): 217-231. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2017.2.217

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Abstract

Malaria represents an infectious disease keenly tied to environmental conditions, as mosquitoes represent the disease vector. Many studies are beginning to document that changes in environmental conditions, such as deforestation, can greatly alter the density and activity of mosquito populations and therefore malaria rates. While numerous epidemiological studies examine the links between forest loss and mosquito proliferation in distinct locales, comparative assessments across multiple sites are lacking. We attempt to address this gap by imparting a cross-national analysis of less-developed, non-desert, malaria endemic nations. Using a structural equation model of 67 nations, we find positive associations between deforestation rates and malaria prevalence across nations. Our results also suggest that rural population growth and specialization in agriculture are two key influences on forest loss in developing nations. Thus, anthropogenic drivers of environmental degradation are important to consider in explaining cross-national variation in malaria rates.

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