“It Is Like We Are Living in a Different World”: Health Inequity in Communities Surrounding Industrial Mining Sites in Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Health equity features prominently in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, yet there are wide disparities in health between and within countries. In settings of natural resource extraction (e.g., industrial mines), the health of surrounding communities is affected through myriad changes in the physical, social, and economic environment. How changes triggered by such projects translate into health inequities is poorly understood. Methods: This qualitative study explores potential layers of inequities by systematically coding perceived inequities of affected communities. Drawing on the framework method, we thematically analyzed data from 83 focus group discussions, which enrolled 791 participants from 10 study sites in Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and Tanzania. Results: Participants perceived inequities related to their individual characteristics, intermediate factors acting on the community level, and structural conditions. Due to environmental pollution and land loss, participants were concerned about unsecured livelihoods. Positive impacts, such as job opportunities at the mine, remained scarce for local communities and were claimed not to be equally distributed among community members. Conclusion: Extractive industries bear considerable risks to widen existing health gaps. In order to create equal opportunities among affected populations, the wider determinants of health must be considered more explicitly in the licensing process of resource extraction projects.

Resource Allocation Equity in the China’s Rural Three-Tier Healthcare System

“…In addition, the existing research methods are single and the results lack accuracy. Comprehensive indicators can effectively improve the accuracy, so as to evaluate the fairness of health resource allocation more comprehensively and deeply [ 50 , 51 , 52 ].…”

How Can “Community Voices” from Qualitative Research Illuminate Our Understanding of the Implementation of the SDGs? A Scoping Review

“…Leuenberger et al reported on a large-scale research project exploring the impact on community health of living adjacent to industrial mining sites [30]. Data was collected through 83 focus groups among communities located in Mozambique, Burkina Faso, and Tanzania.…”

Applying the photovoice method with adolescents in mining areas in rural Mozambique: critical reflections and lessons learned

“…While mining projects have been expanding in many African countries and might contribute to their economic growth, health-related studies addressing the influence of mining on the health of community subgroups, including adolescents in SSA countries remain scarce [ 21 , 22 ]. The existing literature provides evidence for their impact on local population health, migration patterns, and economic and social development [ 21 , 23 ].…”

“…While mining projects have been expanding in many African countries and might contribute to their economic growth, health-related studies addressing the influence of mining on the health of community subgroups, including adolescents in SSA countries remain scarce [ 21 , 22 ]. The existing literature provides evidence for their impact on local population health, migration patterns, and economic and social development [ 21 , 23 ]. Additionally, an increasing number of studies report adverse health impacts of mining projects on different population groups in mining areas in both, the environment and its social determinants [ 21 , 23–25 ].…”

“…The existing literature provides evidence for their impact on local population health, migration patterns, and economic and social development [ 21 , 23 ]. Additionally, an increasing number of studies report adverse health impacts of mining projects on different population groups in mining areas in both, the environment and its social determinants [ 21 , 23–25 ]. These studies suggest that adolescents growing up in mining-affected communities are affected by a range of health and social impacts [ 21 , 26 , 27 ].…”