Climate Change and Children's Health: Building a Healthy Future for Every Child.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Pediatrics
• Climate Science

Background:

• Climate change, characterized by altered temperature, precipitation, sea level, and extreme weather, destabilizes human health determinants.
• Children face elevated risks from climate-related health issues due to physiological, behavioral, and dependency factors.
• Vulnerable populations, including children in low-wealth households and those facing discrimination, experience disproportionately higher risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the nature of climate change and its specific health effects on children.
• To support policy recommendations for mitigating climate change impacts on child health and equity.
• To highlight the critical role of collaborative action in protecting children's health.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on climate change and child health.
• Analysis of pathways through which climate change affects children (e.g., air pollution, heat, infections, mental health).
• Synthesis of evidence on the disproportionate impact on vulnerable child populations.

Main Results:

• Climate change poses multifaceted threats to children's health across all life stages.
• Children's developing systems and unique exposures increase their susceptibility to climate-related harms.
• Existing social and economic inequities amplify children's vulnerability to climate change hazards.

Conclusions:

• Urgent, collaborative action involving pediatricians, health systems, and policymakers is essential.
• Implementing climate solutions can yield immediate benefits for child health and promote long-term equity.
• Proactive strategies are necessary to ensure future generations of children can thrive despite climate change.