Abstract
Deforestation can increase the transmission of malaria. Here, we build upon the existing link between malaria risk and deforestation by investigating how the global demand for commodities that increase deforestation can also increase malaria risk. We use a database of trade relationships to link the consumption of deforestation-implicated commodities in developed countries to estimates of country-level malaria risk in developing countries. We estimate that about 20% of the malaria risk in deforestation hotspots is driven by the international trade of deforestation-implicated export commodities, such as timber, wood products, tobacco, cocoa, coffee and cotton. By linking malaria risk to final consumers of commodities, we contribute information to support demand-side policy measures to complement existing malaria control interventions, with co-benefits for reducing deforestation and forest disturbance.
Highlights
Deforestation can increase the transmission of malaria
The aims of this study are: (1) to gain an understanding of how export-oriented production leads to exploitation of natural forest environments in malaria endemic countries, (2) to reveal connections facilitated by the international trade network between consumers and forestry producers in malaria-prone countries; and based on this understanding (3) to identify countries that face significant malaria risk from global consumption and international trade
We hope that our study provides information about potential demand-side measures for mitigating malaria, focusing on the role of international trade and export dependence for accelerated deforestation and malaria risk
Summary
We build upon the existing link between malaria risk and deforestation by investigating how the global demand for commodities that increase deforestation can increase malaria risk. We use a database of trade relationships to link the consumption of deforestation-implicated commodities in developed countries to estimates of country-level malaria risk in developing countries. We estimate that about 20% of the malaria risk in deforestation hotspots is driven by the international trade of deforestation-implicated export commodities, such as timber, wood products, tobacco, cocoa, coffee and cotton. By linking malaria risk to final consumers of commodities, we contribute information to support demand-side policy measures to complement existing malaria control interventions, with co-benefits for reducing deforestation and forest disturbance. Even though malaria incidence has decreased globally, there have been worrying developments in recent years[1]. More than 90% of all human malaria occurs in the world’s three largest tropical rainforest biomes, and adjacency: the Amazon Basin, the Congo Basin and the Greater Mekong[2]
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