Background

Currently, 88 percent of all malaria cases, globally, are on continental Africa, and every minute a child in this area dies from this disease (World Health Organization (WHO), 2015). Ninety percent of these deaths occur in Sub-Saharan Africa, affording it the moniker "The Heartland of Malaria" (The Guardian, 2016). Climate change is expected to significantly increase the number of malaria cases, particularly in areas surrounding Sub-Saharan Africa. As climate change increases rainfall, temperature, and humidity, malaria is predicted to increase in Sub-Saharan Africa and to spread to areas near Sub-Saharan Africa which were previously non-endemic for malaria may become endemic (Fernando, S.D., 2010). Preemptive research and intervention is important because those who have already been exposed to the virus, such as Sub-Saharan Africans, have the most resistance to it. Other parts Africa, which are non-endemic, do not have the same resistance which makes these areas much more vulnerable to the disease (Irfan, U., 2011).

Research Questions

Three pertinent research questions are as follows:

1. To what extent is malaria incidence likely to increase in Sub-Saharan Africa over the next 30 years?

2. What non-endemic areas surrounding Sub-Saharan Africa are likely to see significant increases in new cases over the next 30 years?

3. What physical and social determinants yield the highest vulnerability for climate change-related malarial illness?

Research areas or gaps (3 specific questions) identified where your topic could be better researched.

Recommendations on how the 3 questions identified should be answered. Make sure to specify scientific framework (Risk Analysis) and methods should be used to obtain reliable information.