Policy briefs

Strengthening South Africa’s public health response to climate change

Can South Africa’s health system keep pace with climate change? Climate change is no longer a distant concern but a public health emergency that presents a growing threat globally, including in South Africa. The country is already experiencing climate-related health effects, including rising temperatures, floods and droughts, shifting vector-borne disease patterns, and water scarcity that […]

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Leveraging artificial intelligence to strengthen public health emergency management in resource-constrained settings: A South African perspective

How can artificial intelligence improve public health emergency management in resource-constrained settings? Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool for strengthening public health systems and improving Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM). Historically, digital technologies have supported disease surveillance and healthcare delivery. More recently, AI has demonstrated its potential during public health emergencies such

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Reflections on the national guidelines for mpox in South Africa (policy brief)

What can South Africa’s national mpox guidelines teach us about strengthening public health preparedness and response? Mpox, historically a rare zoonosis confined to parts of Central and West Africa, has evolved into a global public health concern since 2022, with more than 175 000 confirmed cases reported across 142 countries by November 2025. South Africa

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Advocating for meningococcal vaccination among tertiary students in South Africa (policy brief)

How can increased meningococcal vaccination protect South Africa’s university students from this disease? Meningococcal disease is a devastating illness that affects healthy young individuals, many of whom are tertiary students. It can result in sudden death or long-term sequelae such as blindness, deafness, or amputations. Newly acquired meningococcal nasopharyngeal colonisation occurs frequently on tertiary campuses

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