Abstract:
There is widespread scientific consensus that the world
‟s climate is changing. This change has been
found to have adverse consequences on human health as well as exacerbates health risks. Mounting
evidence suggests current and future effects on human health, including injuries and illnesses from severe
weather
events, floods, and heat exposure; increases in allergic, respiratory, vector
-
borne, and
waterborne diseases; and threats to food and water supplies. Indirect effects may include anxiety and
depression. The discourse of climate change must thus be framed
from public health perspective with a
focus on reducing its impacts. Health consequences of climate change can be a useful lever for enhancing
individuals‟ engagement in adaptation and mitigating strategies to climate change. This paper discusses
the poten
tials posed by perception and awareness of health risks of climate change as a step to individual
adaption and behaviour change in Kenya. Kenya, like other nations in the world, is faced with the serious
threats of climate change to livelihood and human he
alth. Being a developing country, Kenya is more
vulnerable to such impacts. However, potentials lie on adaption and mitigation measures of which
behaviour change is a critical factor. Research has shown that public risk perceptions strongly influence
the w
ay people respond to hazards. When a community or individual perceives a problem to be a very
serious threat, then it is likely to initiate appropriate intervention measures, hence the potential of public
perception/awareness of health risks of climate cha
nge for adaptation and mitigation strategies in Kenya
