Safeguarding future generations: a One Health perspective on children, climate change, and infectious threats

Area of Science:

• One Health
• Pediatric Global Health
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Children are uniquely vulnerable to health threats due to physiological, developmental, and environmental factors.
• The One Health framework integrates human, animal, and environmental health to address complex challenges.
• Contemporary threats like antimicrobial resistance (AMR), climate change, and emerging infectious diseases disproportionately affect children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review how AMR, climate change, and emerging infectious diseases impact child health through a One Health lens.
• To synthesize evidence across human, animal, and environmental health domains concerning child exposures.
• To highlight gaps in child-specific surveillance, research, and policy within the One Health paradigm.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review synthesizing evidence from human, animal, and environmental health.
• Focus on pediatric and neonatal antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
• Analysis of climate-related impacts and expanding vector-borne diseases affecting children.

Main Results:

• Children face disproportionate exposure to resistant pathogens, climate hazards, and zoonotic/vector-borne infections.
• Factors like antibiotic use, environmental contamination, and extreme weather amplify risks during child development.
• Significant gaps exist in child-specific One Health surveillance and interventions, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Conclusions:

• A child-centered lens is essential for effective One Health research, governance, and interventions.
• Integrating child-specific considerations enhances prevention and health system resilience.
• Protecting child health within a One Health framework is vital for future generations facing ecological and infectious threats.