The Nexus Between Artisanal Small-Scale Mining and Malaria: A One Health Approach to Environmental and Public Health Challenges

Artisanal small-scale mining is widely practiced in rural regions and plays a significant role in local economies. However, mining activities often lead to environmental changes such as land degradation, deforestation, and the creation of stagnant water bodies, which provide breeding grounds for malaria vectors. These ecological disruptions, combined with poor housing conditions and limited access to healthcare, heighten vulnerability to malaria transmission. Despite growing recognition of these risks, there remains limited integrated research examining the direct and indirect pathways linking ASM and malaria spread. Understanding these interactions is essential for designing targeted interventions that address both environmental and public health challenges in affected communities.This Research Topic aims to explore the complex relationship between artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) activities and the spread of malaria in rural communities. ASM has become a critical livelihood strategy across many developing regions, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, but it is also associated with environmental modifications that may increase malaria transmission. The goal is to generate interdisciplinary insights into how mining-induced ecological changes, population mobility, and socio-economic dynamics contribute to malaria risk. The collection seeks to inform evidence-based interventions, policies, and integrated approaches that can mitigate health risks while sustaining livelihoods. By bringing together researchers from public health, environmental science, epidemiology, and development studies, this Research Topic will contribute to bridging knowledge gaps and advancing sustainable solutions.This Research Topic welcomes contributions that examine the intersection of artisanal mining and malaria transmission from multidisciplinary perspectives. Relevant themes include environmental changes and vector ecology, epidemiological patterns in mining communities, health system responses, and socio-economic determinants of malaria risk. Studies employing quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods are encouraged. Submissions may include original research articles, systematic reviews, policy analyses, case studies, and brief reports. Contributions focusing on innovative intervention strategies, community-based approaches, and policy frameworks are particularly welcome. The aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue and support the development of sustainable, context-specific solutions. Topic editors: Dickson Okoree Mireku, Brandford Bervell, Daniel Amoako-Sakyi Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81396/the-nexus-between-artisanal-small-scale-mining-and-malaria-a-one-health-approach-to-environmental-and-public-health-challenges