Water-Energy-Food Security and Health in South Africa

How are water, energy, and food (WEF) insecurities associated with health outcomes in South Africa?This scoping review including 137 studies and consultations with 26 academic and practitioner experts found that associations between WEF insecurity and communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases, and injuries were mediated by inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene; poor nutrition; and reliance on traditional fuels.These findings suggest that integrated approaches addressing multiple resource insecurities are likely required to reduce health risks in South Africa and similar resource-constrained settings.

Corresponding Author: Eli Dearden, MSc, Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, Utrecht 3584CB, the Netherlands (e.j.dearden@uu.nl).

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