SEPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Climate Change and the
Health of Children
Understanding the threats that climate change
poses to human health can help us work
together to lower risks and be prepared.
Climate change threatens human health, including
mental health, and access to clean air, safe drinking
water, nutritious food, and shelter. Everyone is affected
by climate change at some point in their lives. Some
people are more affected by climate change than
others because of factors like where they live; their age,
health, income, and occupation; and how they go
about their day-to-day life.
Children are especially vulnerable to the impacts of
climate change because of (1) their growing bodies;
(2) their unique behaviors and interactions with the world
around them; and (3) their dependency on caregivers.
Growing Bodies
Children's growth and development from infancy to
adolescence makes them more sensitive to
environmental hazards related to climate. For example,
because children's lungs develop through adolescence,
they are more sensitive to respiratory hazards. Climate
change worsens air quality because warming
temperatures make it easier for ground-level ozone to
form. Changing weather patterns and more intense
and frequent wildfires also raise the amount of
pollution, dust, and smoke in the air. For children, this
change in air quality may increase the number and
worsen the severity of asthma episodes. Climate
change is also expected to lead to longer and more
severe pollen seasons, triggering asthma and allergies
in children.
In addition to developing physically, children are also
developing emotionally. Climate change will lead to an
increase in the
frequency,
severity and
duration of some extreme
weather events, increasing risks to
children's mental health. When
extreme weather causes injuries,
death, or displacement, children may have difficultly
controlling their emotions, may not perform as well in
school, and may face depression, anxiety and
post-traumatic stress. While many children show
resilience to traumatic events, mental health impacts
may last into adulthood, especially if left untreated.
What is climate change and why does it
matter for health?
We've all heard of it, but what exactly is climate change?
Greenhouse gases act like a blanket around Earth,
trapping energy in the atmosphere. Human activities,
especially burning fossil fuels for energy, increase the
amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere and cause
the climate to warm. Climate is the typical or average
weather for an area. Climate change is any change in
average weather that lasts for a long period of time, like
warming temperatures. Climate change affects the food
we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. It also
leads to extreme weather events, like flooding, droughts,
and wildfires. All of these impacts affect human health.
To protect children against the negative impacts of
climate change, caregivers should consider the age,
stage of development, and health of the children in their
care and work with health professionals, educators, and
others in the community to minimize exposure to
environmental risks.
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Unique Behaviors and Interactions with the
Environment
Children's behaviors and interactions with the world
around them increase their exposure to certain health
threats.The graphic on the following page describes
examples of how children's unique behaviors make
them more vulnerable to certain health impacts that
are expected to increase due to climate change.
Dependency on Adult Caregivers
Children, particularly those with disabilities or special
health needs, must rely on parents or caregivers to
provide for basic needs like nutrition, shelter, hygiene,
and clothing. Children separated from their caregivers
during weather events, such as during storms and
floods, are at increased risk of health impacts.
Impacts as Children Grow
Climate change affects children differently
depending on their age and stage of development.
These stages begin in the womb and continue
throughout childhood and adolescence.The
graphic below provides some highlights of climate
vulnerabilities at different stages of life.
Newborns
Newborns are more likely to have been born before
their due date or at a low birth weight if their mother
is exposed during pregnancy to extreme heat, air
pollution, and flood-related contaminants.
Infants and Toddlers
Infants and toddlers breathe, eat, and drink more
for their body size than adults. They are sensitive to
pollutants or allergens in the air, which may trigger
asthma episodes. Infants and toddlers are also
sensitive to contaminants in water and food, which
increases the risk of diarrhea. Heat-related illness is
also a threat to very young children, as they are less
able to regulate body temperature.
School age and older children spend more time
outdoors than adults, which increases their risk of
being exposed to extreme heat and higher average
temperatures, pollutants in air and water, and
diseases carried by mosquitoes and ticks. High
school athletes are particularly at risk for heat
illnesses. About 9,000 children are treated for heat
illness (such as heat stroke and muscle cramps)
related to athletic activity each year.
CLIMATE CHANGE ANDTHE HEALTH OF CHILDREN
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Children's Exposure and Vulnerability to Climate Change Impacts
(7) Exposure to allergens
Small children play on the
ground and place their
hands and other objects in
their mouths.This increases
their exposure to allergens
such as dust, mold spores,
and pollen.
Climate-related
increases in droughts
and dust storms can
increase levels of dust.
More frequent extreme
weather events such as
flooding can lead to
indoor mold growth.
Climate change leads to
longer and more severe
pollen seasons.
(Ģi Extreme heat
Children and student
athletes often play outside
and may not recognize the
signs of becoming
dehydrated or overheated.
Children have a higher risk
of becoming ill or dying
due to extreme heat.
Climate change will
increase extreme heat
events and also lead to
higher temperatures
throughout the year.
(^) Insect and
tick-related diseases
Children spend more time
outdoors than adults,
increasing their exposure
to mosquito and tick bites.
These bites can cause
diseases that are diagnosed
more often in children,
such as La Crosse
encephalitis or Lyme
disease.
Climate change and
increased temperatures
will lead to insects
expanding their ranges
and being present for
longer seasons.
4 Contaminated water
Children swallow about
twice as much water as
adults while swimming.
Children are more likely
than adults to develop
serious stomach and
diarrheal illnesses if they
drink contaminated water.
Climate change
increases
contamination risk in
water bodies where
children play.
Storms and floods may
compromise local
sources of drinking
water.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN
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This fact sheet is based on "The Impacts of Climate
Change on Human Health in the United States: A
Scientific Assessment." To explore the full report, go to:
https://health2016.globalchange.gov
Learn More
Climate Change and the Health of Pregnant Women
https://www3 .epa.gov/climatechange/impacts/health/
factsheets/
Climate Change: Human Health
https://www3.epa.gov/climatechange/impacts/health.html
Climate Change: What You Can Do
https://www3 .epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/
Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units -
expert medical advice on environmental exposures
and health effects
www.pehsu.net
Tips from EPA's Office of Children's Health Protection
Protecting Children's Environmental Health
https://www.epa.gov/children
How Caregivers Can Protect Children's
Health
Air Quality & Respiratory Illnesses
Check the Air Quality Index and pollen counts on
your local weather reports and consider limiting
outdoor time if levels are high.
www.airnow.gov
Extreme Weather Events
If children are exposed to storms or floods, watch
for diarrhea symptoms and mental health impacts.
Also, watch for signs of mold indoors after a flood,
and be sure to clean and dry affected areas. During
a power outage, never use a generator indoors or
in a garage.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters
Heat-Related Illness
Watch for signs of dehydration or overheating;
offer sips of water often and find places to cool off.
http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/children.html
Disease Carried By Ticks and Mosquitoes
Prevent bites by using insect repellent (bug spray)
and protective clothing (long sleeves and pants).
Check children daily for ticks after they have been
outdoors, especially in wooded or grassy areas and
especially during warmer months.
https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/
tips-prevent-tick-bites
https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/
tips-prevent-mosquito-bites
CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN
EPA 430-F-16-055
May 2016
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