Socio-economic consequences of health impacts from water resources development projects

Abstract

This study attempts to develop an analytical framework with which the socio-economic consequences of health effects on local communities from water resources development projects can be examined. The concept of forgone output is employed to represent the health impact. It is applied to the disease of schistosomiasis associated with the Volta River Project in Ghana. It is demonstrated that the framework is useful in assessing health effects associated with water resources development projects.

The results of this study suggest that health effects impose a heavy economic burden on the local population living within the project area; and that disease control programs are very cost-effective in controlling water-borne diseases. It is recommended that health impact assessment should be conducted before the project is carried out; and that disease prevention or control programmes be incorporated into early stages of project planning. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)