Health risks from environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, Nigeria

Adekola, J. , Fischbacher-Smith, M., Fischbacher-Smith, D. and Adekola, O. A. (2017) Health risks from environmental degradation in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 35(2), pp. 334-354. (doi: 10.1177/0263774X16661720)

Abstract

Local communities within oil producing countries in Africa often face formidable environmental challenges that generate conflicts and concerns around exploitation, environmental impact, and health risks. A key feature of these concerns has been the paucity of effective risk communication mechanisms and the impact this has on the public understanding of risk. Risk communication has been identified as a significant factor in explaining why the health consequences of environmental degradation remain unabated in oil producing communities. This paper evaluates health risk communication in the oil rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The study is based on 69 interviews conducted in the Niger Delta region. The paper argues that the health of the local population is being impaired by risk incidences relating to oil and gas exploration activities, the effects of which are amplified by inadequate communication of health risks to the public. The study argues for and suggests ways in which health risk communication processes can be improved in the Niger Delta. A multi-dimensional framework for public health risk communication is developed as a means of advancing understanding, practice, and policy.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Adekola, Dr Olalekan Adeban and Fischbacher-Smith, Professor Moira and Adekola, Dr Josephine and Fischbacher-Smith, Professor Denis
• Authors: Adekola, J., Fischbacher-Smith, M., Fischbacher-Smith, D., and Adekola, O. A.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management; University Services > Learning and Teaching Services Division
• Journal Name: Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 0263-774X
• ISSN (Online): 1472-3425
• Published Online: 08 August 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2016 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy 3592): 334-354
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License