Implications of the Minamata Convention on Mercury for informal gold mining in Sub-Saharan Africa: from global policy debates to grassroots implementation?

This eclectic analysis identifies three themes informing research on cognitive development in Afrique noire over the past ten years. (1) Extending the range of generalizability of Western theories: the application of such theories has often been too literal and too preoccupied with direct comparisons between the behaviour of African and Western children. (2) Interpreting the uniqueness of the African situation: the detailed documentation necessary for this task can usefully draw on the immersed, participant observation strategy of anthropology but needs to be focussed on microsystematic processes. (3) Deriving implications for social policy: psychological research can usefully contribute to policy debates on the choice of linguistic media for school instruction, the design of natural and social science curricula, and the planning of appropriate services for disabled children. The task of changing the Eurocentric and potentially exploitative character of psychology in sub-Saharan Africa calls for adaptation to the sub-continent's social needs and for African scientific creativity.

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Is the road to good health paved in gold? HIV and mining in Sub-Saharan Africa

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.826 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

C Hansen ◽

M Miraldo ◽

K Hauck ◽

J Ohrnberger

Keyword(s):

Multinational Corporations ◽

Gold Mining ◽

Mining Industry ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Hiv Positive ◽

Reverse Causality ◽

Gold Production ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background This paper measures the impact of HIV prevalence on gold production in Sub-Saharan Africa. Gold mining adds billions of gross value to the African economy, however remains a highly-prevalent industry for HIV. Some of the largest global gold producers in South Africa estimate 30% of their workforce to be HIV-positive. In comparison, the current prevalence rate in the country is 3.7% in working-aged males. Methods There is a reverse causality between HIV and mining. HIV exerts a direct causal influence on mining production. The mining industry creates working and living environments which accelerate the spread of HIV. Using 22 years of panel data and an external instrumental variable, overseas development assistance, supported by an Arellano-Bond estimator, we measure the causal impact of HIV on gold mining. Results We estimate a 1% increase in HIV leads to a decrease in gold production of 9.866 tonnes, valued at over $402 million, nearly 3% of total African gold production, significant at the 10% level. These results are robust to the findings of the Arellano-Bond estimator, which are significant at the 5% level. Conclusions International aid foundations and donors have made great strides in funding for HIV treatment, and it is critical for multinational corporations to take necessary action to protect the progress that has been made so far, promoting health and economic outcomes. Understanding macroeconomic impacts will raise the cost-effectiveness of public health interventions, and increase the associated economic benefits to many individual sectors, as well as overall local and country-wide economies. Key messages In addition to saving lives and extending the quality of HIV-positive lives, there are economic gains to be had in investing in the prevention of HIV, as demonstrated in the gold mining industry. HIV-related productivity losses readily extend to a variety of industries across Africa and abroad. Policies that minimise these losses, and maximise health gains, can only be mutually beneficial.

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RTS,S/AS01, a vaccine targeting pre-erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum

Emerging Topics in Life Sciences ◽

10.1042/etls20170101 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 1 (6) ◽

pp. 533-537

Author(s):

Lorenz von Seidlein ◽

Borimas Hanboonkunupakarn ◽

Podjanee Jittmala ◽

Sasithon Pukrittayakamee

Keyword(s):

Protective Efficacy ◽

Age Groups ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Phase Iii ◽

European Medicines Agency ◽

Older Children ◽

Pivotal Phase ◽

Malaria Epidemiology ◽

Maximum Benefit ◽

Sub Saharan

RTS,S/AS01 is the most advanced vaccine to prevent malaria. It is safe and moderately effective. A large pivotal phase III trial in over 15 000 young children in sub-Saharan Africa completed in 2014 showed that the vaccine could protect around one-third of children (aged 5–17 months) and one-fourth of infants (aged 6–12 weeks) from uncomplicated falciparum malaria. The European Medicines Agency approved licensing and programmatic roll-out of the RTSS vaccine in malaria endemic countries in sub-Saharan Africa. WHO is planning further studies in a large Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme, in more than 400 000 young African children. With the changing malaria epidemiology in Africa resulting in older children at risk, alternative modes of employment are under evaluation, for example the use of RTS,S/AS01 in older children as part of seasonal malaria prophylaxis. Another strategy is combining mass drug administrations with mass vaccine campaigns for all age groups in regional malaria elimination campaigns. A phase II trial is ongoing to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the RTSS in combination with antimalarial drugs in Thailand. Such novel approaches aim to extract the maximum benefit from the well-documented, short-lasting protective efficacy of RTS,S/AS01.

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Mortality and Society in Sub-Saharan Africa

Population Studies ◽

10.1080/0032472031000147416 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 555-556

Author(s):

Lado Ruzicka

Keyword(s):

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Sub Saharan

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