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The heat stress caused by exposure to heat waves can negatively affect health and well-being, especially for infants and young children. A third of the world’s children experience 4-5 heat waves per year, on average. This means exposure to at least one of the following high-heat conditions: Temperatures over 35°C for 83.54 or more days per year;
Extreme heat affects infants and young children more than most adults—and potential impacts on their health and development can be lifelong. Because all children should have the opportunity to thrive, it is critical that we understand how extreme heat affects children and then determine how best to take action.
- Respiratory Illnesses
- Heat Illnesses
- Water-Related Illnesses
- Insect- and Tick-Related Diseases
- Food System Impacts
- Mental Health Effects
Climate change has the potential to increase outdoor air pollutants, such as dust from droughts, wildfire smoke, and ground-level ozone. Ground-level ozone and particulate matter are associated with increases in asthma and other respiratory conditions in children.10, 11 Climate change can also increase pollen and prolong the allergy season. Higher ...
Extreme heat events are expected to last longer and become more frequent and intense as the climate changes.13 Heat illnesses can occur when a person is exposed to high temperatures and their body cannot cool down. Increases in average and extreme temperatures are expected to lead to more heat illnesses and deaths among vulnerable groups, including...
Runoff from more frequent and intense rains, flooding, and coastal storms can introduce more pollutants and disease-carrying organisms into water bodies where children swim and play or that communities use as drinking water supplies.18 These contaminants can impact drinking water supplies and recreational waters.19 Untreated, contaminated water can...
Climate change is expanding the habitat ranges and length of time when insects and ticks are common.27 In some regions, that results in a northward expansion of where ticks may live; while other areas could also see ticks active for longer periods throughout the year.28 Warmer temperatures associated with climate change can also increase mosquito d...
Proper nutrition is essential for children’s physical and mental growth. Extreme events, such as wildfires, floods, heat waves, and droughts may disrupt food production and distribution, increase costs, and limit availability. These impacts could make it harder for children to get healthy food.33Diseases, pests, and water shortages can also affect ...
Children who go through a natural disaster or extreme weather event may have anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, phobias, and post-traumatic stress.39 Children’s ability to cope with these events depends on many factors, including their living situation and support systems. There may be a perception that children are resilient to traumatic event...
May 28, 2024 · Heat can affect health through a variety of direct and indirect mechanisms. There is limited research on the impact of chronic (sustained) exposure to high temperatures and humidity. Outdoor and manual workers, athletes and civil protection employees are exposed to excess heat because of their work and susceptible to exertional heat stress.
Aug 19, 2021 · Approximately 1 billion children are at an 'extremely high risk' of the impacts of the climate crisis. These children experience multiple climate shocks combined with poor essential services such as water, sanitation and healthcare. As climate change disrupts the environment, children are being forced to grow up in an increasingly dangerous world.
Aug 5, 2022 · Warning Signs and Solutions. Experts note a flushed face, fatigue, muscle cramps, headache, dizziness, vomiting, and a lot of sweating are among the symptoms of heat exhaustion, which can develop ...
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UNICEF’s 2021 landmark Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI) report found that 1 billion children are at extremely high risk of the impacts of the climate crisis and examined eight components of climate and environmental shocks and stresses. This report builds on the CCRI and examines one of these components – water scarcity (the physical ...
