Some of the very real health effects that the globe is seeing as a result of catastrophic climate change include an increase in preterm births, a rise in respiratory illnesses and deaths, and an increase in the number of children admitted to hospitals.
If nothing is done globally, this grim reality will destroy children’s health for years to come, according to slarming new research.
Although experts have been alerting people for many years about the dangers of high temperatures, floods, and wildfires, this new study, which was just released in the journal Science of the Total Environment, is the first to compile all the data on the impact of climate change on children’s health.
The information showed which specific climate-related extremes are associated with negative health effects on coming generations.
According to a study led by Corey Bradshaw, the Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology at Flinders University, and Dr. Lewis Weeda, a researcher with The University of Western Australia and the Wal-yan Respiratory Research Centre at Telethon Kids Institute, exposure to extreme temperatures increases the risk of a preterm birth by an average of 60%.
In order to assist governments in making plans that might lessen the effects of climate change and enhance health outcomes for future generations, the researchers examined the findings of 163 global health studies.
Although children in lower-income countries are more likely to lack access to proper healthcare, infrastructure, and a steady food supply, the majority of the research that were reviewed were conducted in high-income countries.
According to the findings, even developed economies would not be immune to the negative effects of climate change on children’s health. The researchers caution that health hazards are dependent on socioeconomic status and differ between continents.
