Dams In Sub-Saharan Africa Linked To An Increase In Malaria Rates

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The increase in standing water could contribute to an increase in malaria for surrounding communities. Peter Bay/Shutterstock

A massive push has seen hydropower projects cropping up all over the African continent. Touted as a way of producing lots of cheap green energy for developing nations, they’re often met with controversy. From the eviction of tribal communities from their ancestral lands to doubts about their eco-friendly credentials, a new study has picked up another issue to add to the list. Researchers have found that living next to a dam in sub-Saharan Africa could increase one's risk of contracting malaria.