Children’s environmental health: Conclusion

Oct 14m 2010

Source: NIH

National Library of Medicine

National Center for Biotechnology Information

Photo Source: Unsplash

Conclusion

The health impacts of global climate change are expected to be widespread, geographically variable, and profoundly influenced by preexisting social and economic disparities. Effects on children and on other vulnerable populations are already—and are projected to continue to be—disproportionately heavy. The literature on proven and plausible health impacts of global climate change now covers virtually every organ system in the human body. More thorough quantification of child-specific health impacts of global climate change is urgently needed.

The expectation that global climate change will produce wide-scale, but still inadequately quantified, increases in disease and death warrants a societal commitment that combines ongoing research with vigorous and thoughtful efforts to reverse health impacts and reduce worsening environmental injustice. Prevention efforts directed against the health effects of climate change should acknowledge the inherent vulnerabilities of children and seek to reduce both their exposures and susceptibility. Health projects that benefit adults while appropriately protecting children will have added benefits for the children by protecting their caregivers.

Specific needs include enhanced monitoring of current children’s environmental health status, better incorporation of climate change adaptation into existing programs, and new climate-sensitive disease prevention programs that have short- and long-term health co-benefits.

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