Caregivers of children with asthma alarmed by climate change: a cross-sectional study

Climate change poses significant health risks, with children being particularly vulnerable to its adverse health effects. Children with asthma are expected to have worsening disease due to increased exposure to heat, air pollution, mold from flooding, and pollen. Understanding caregiver perspectives on these health harms is crucial for informing public health policy and education. Therefore, we aimed to explore caregiver perceptions of climate change-related health risks to children with asthma.

In this cross-sectional study, a survey instrument was created and distributed to caregivers of children with asthma during their visits to pulmonology clinics located in an urban northeastern US setting and via email.

Among 198 completed surveys, 78% of participants reported high levels of concern about climate change, with most respondents agreeing that climate change has already impacted their child's health. Examples provided by respondents included worsening asthma control due to air pollution, wildfire events, pollen exposure, and rapid changes in weather. Respondents who self-identified as female had greater concern. Most respondents agreed that these topics should be further discussed with their child's doctor. Although, barriers to such discussions were noted by the respondents.

Caregivers of children with asthma have high levels of concern regarding climate change and report adverse impacts on their child's asthma. Clinicians caring for children with asthma should consider discussing the respiratory health impacts of climate change with caregivers. However, barriers to these discussions need further examination.