Evaluating limitations of current policies addressing climate change-induced food insecurity: A narrative review in the context of late menarche in African females

Abstract

Menarche is a critical developmental milestone signalling the onset of female reproductive function. Food insecurity, induced by climate change, has contributed to irregularities in menarcheal age, which has been linked to potential harmful disease outcomes. Specifically, the incidence of a late menarcheal age has been observed in Africa. Various climate impacts, influenced by existing socio-economic conditions, cause Africa to be disproportionately impacted in the incidence of late menarche in adolescent females. This narrative review aimed to examine existing policies impacting health risks associated with late menarche, that are a consequence of climate change-induced food insecurity. Potential policy solutions included the utilization of renewable energy sources, climate-smart agriculture initiatives, and social cash transfer programs. These policies were appraised relative to the African context; barriers to successfully implementing these policies were found such as misalignment of governance objectives, limited financial evaluation, lack of contextual considerations during policy design, and the inability to foresee unintended consequences. These insights highlighted the importance of contextual factors, trade-offs, and contingencies when creating such policies and were used to inform suggested future directions for policy frameworks.