A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF DIRECT AND INDIRECT IMPACTS OF ARTHROPODS ON HUMAN HEALTH AND LIVELIHOODS

Abstract

Arthropods, the most diverse group of organisms on Earth, play critical ecological roles but
also pose significant threats to human health, agriculture, and socio-economic stability. The
main purpose of this review paper is to review the ways arthropods cause harm to human
health and livelihoods through direct and indirect impacts. This paper explores the
multifaceted harm caused by arthropods, focusing on their role as vectors of diseases,
agricultural pests, and invasive species. Vector-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue,
Zika, and Lyme disease, account for over 700,000 annual deaths globally, with climate change
and urbanization expanding the range of arthropod vectors. Agricultural pests like locusts and
aphids devastate crops, exacerbating food insecurity, particularly in developing countries.
Furthermore, invasive species such as the red imported fire ant disrupt ecosystems and impose
substantial economic burdens. The paper also addresses the psychological and societal
impacts of arthropod infestations, including conditions like delusional parasitosis and the
stigma associated with pests such as bedbugs and lice. Additionally, the rise of insecticide
resistance and the environmental risks of chemical pest control underscore the need for
sustainable alternatives. Recommendations from this research emphasize enhancing
surveillance systems, investing in integrated pest management (IPM), promoting public health
education, fostering global collaboration, and implementing climate adaptation strategies.
Through a summary of current research, this session emphasizes the critical necessity for a
multidisciplinary strategy to tackle issues pertaining to arthropods. To lessen the worldwide
burden of diseases, guarantee food security, and protect ecosystems, it is crucial to
comprehend their biology, ecology, and connections with human activity.