article · Journal of Geography Environment and Earth Science International
Health shocks significantly disrupt the wellbeing and economic stability of communities dependent on natural resources around Campo Ma'an National Park. An investigation involving expert interviews and a survey of 200 households revealed that more than 70 percent of the local population suffered from health shocks over a five-year period. These occurrences span communicable illnesses, such as malaria and COVID-19, and non-communicable conditions, including hypertension and cancer, each exhibiting distinct risk profiles. The primary drivers of these health shocks are socio-demographic conditions, alongside ecological and economic factors. The resulting burdens worsen poverty, food insecurity, job losses, and mortality. In response, affected households alter their livelihood strategies through diversification, intensification, or maintaining existing routines. Key determinants influencing these livelihood adjustments include age, gender, education, income, occupation, and physical proximity to the national park.
When communities relying on protected natural areas face major illnesses, the resulting economic strain pushes households deeper into poverty and food insecurity. Distinguishing how both infectious and chronic conditions alter working patterns helps conservation managers and development agencies design social safety nets and healthcare interventions that protect vulnerable populations without forcing unsustainable pressure on local ecosystems.
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Issues of health shocks continue to gain traction in the global scientific discourse, with established evidence on its severe impacts on livelihoods and well-being especially in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the relative absence of a comparative analysis on the effects of communicable and non-communicable diseases on natural resources dependent communities still beg for scientific attention in the context of the Campo Ma’an National Park. This study sought to examine the determinants and dynamics of health shocks, and their implications on natural resource-dependent communities of the Campo Ma’an National Park. Data was collected through interviews with key informants, experts, and a survey of 200 households. The results indicate that health shock dynamics are primarily influenced by socio-demographic factors, followed by ecological and economic variables. Communicable diseases such as malaria and COVID-19, and non-communicable diseases such as cancer and hypertension, reveal distinct risk patterns. These diseases have affected more than 70% of the population over the past five years. These shocks exacerbate poverty, hunger, and economic stagnation, leading to death and job loss. Furthermore, health shocks have shaped livelihood strategies leading to diversification, intensification and business as usual scenarios. The logistic regression disclosed gender, education, age, income, occupation, proximity to park, as the variables that significantly predict livelihood dynamics during health shocks. The findings inform the vulnerability dimension of the sustainable livelihoods framework and underscores the need for policy interventions to develop resilient livelihood.
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DOI: 10.9734/jgeesi/2025/v29i1853
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