Climate Change and the Health Of Children

The US Climate Health Assessment What is it? An assessment of the risks climate change poses to human health in the United States An Interagency product of the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) Part of the ongoing National Climate Assessment (NCA) process Who wrote it? A team of ~100 Federal employees, contractors, and grantees from eight U.S. Federal agencies: HHS (NIH, CDC, NIOSH, ASPR, FDA, SAMHSA), NOAA, EPA, USDA, NASA, USGS, DOD (USUHS), VA. All of the information in this power point is taken from this Assessment Where does the information in the assessment come from? The assessment information comes from the peer-reviewed scientific literature, and the report itself was also peer-reviewed. What is the geographic and timescale focus? The assessment focuses on observed and current health impacts in the United States as well as the future projections of impacts. Where possible, the report presents quantitative estimates of future impacts for the years 2030, 2050, and 2100. How is the assessment organized? The report assesses the scientific literature in eight focus areas: Temperature Related Death and Illness; Air Quality Impacts; Extreme Weather; Vectorborne Disease; Water- Related Illnesses; Food Safety, Nutrition, and Distribution; Mental Health and Well-Being; and Populations of Concern Health2016.globalchange.gov “Climate change is a significant threat to the health of the American people.”

How Climate Change Can Impact Health This figure illustrates a pathway of how changes in Earth’s climate directly and indirectly affect human health. Examples listed in the center boxes show these key connections, such as increased temperatures due to climate change leading to more people experiencing or coming into contact with extreme heat, thus increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses. The gray side boxes indicate other factors that can positively or negatively influence a person’s risk of exposure and health outcomes, like access to healthcare, the physical environment (buildings, infrastructure, etc.) in which that person lives, and individual factors including race, gender, and age. These factors contribute to social and environmental disparities that make some communities particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change.

Vulnerability Vulnerability is the tendency or predisposition to be adversely affected by climate-related health effects, and encompasses three elements: exposure sensitivity or susceptibility to harm the capacity to adapt to or respond to a climate change threat. While all Americans are affected by climate change, some groups are disproportionately vulnerable to climate health impacts. The assessment identifies eight populations disproportionately affected by climate change—communities with environmental justice concerns, indigenous peoples, children, pregnant women, older adults, occupational groups, people with disabilities, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.

What Makes Children Vulnerable? Children are especially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because of their Growing bodies Because they are growing, children are biologically sensitive to climate change threats. Unique behaviors and interactions with the world around them Children’s behaviors can increase their exposure to climate change threats. Dependency on caregivers Children have a reduced ability to adapt to climate impacts because they rely on caregivers to provide for basic needs. Separation during a weather event, for example, increases children’s risk of negative health impacts. 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, aggravating asthma in children. Unique Behaviors and Interactions with the Environment Children’s behaviors and interactions with the world around them increase their exposure to certain health threats. For example, 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. 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.

Climate-Related Risks to Children Worsened air quality increases risk of childhood asthma episodes and other allergic illnesses Children have a higher risk of becoming ill or dying due to extreme heat Extreme Heat: Climate change will increase extreme heat events and also lead to higher temperatures throughout the year. -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. Air Quality and Allergens: More frequent extreme weather events such as flooding can lead to indoor mold growth. Climate change leads to longer and more severe pollen seasons. Climate change worsens air quality because warming temperatures make it easier for ground-level ozone (a component of smog, which aggravates asthma) to form. Climate can increase droughts, contributing to dust storms and increased levels of dust. -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. -Because children’s lungs develop through adolescence, they are more sensitive to respiratory hazards Insect and tick-related diseases: Climate change and increased temperatures will lead to insects expanding their ranges and being present for longer seasons. 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. Contaminated water: Climate change increases contamination risk in water bodies where children play. Storms and floods may compromise local sources of drinking 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. Children spend more time outdoors than adults, increasing their exposure to mosquito and tick bites Children are more likely than adults to develop serious diarrheal illness if they swallow contaminated water

Children’s Vulnerabilities Can Vary by Life Stage 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. School Age and Older Children 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.

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. 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. Heat-Related Illness Watch for signs of dehydration or overheating; offer sips of water often and find places to cool off. 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.

Fact Sheet: Climate Change and the Health of Children For More Information Fact Sheet: Climate Change and the Health of Children www.epa.gov/climate-impacts/communicating-vulnerabilities-climate-change-children See communications materials for other populations of concern: www.epa.gov/climate-impacts/climate-change-health-and-populations-concern

https://www.epa.gov/climate-impacts Additional Resources EPA Resources: https://www.epa.gov/climate-impacts USGCRP Climate and Health Assessment: health2016.globalchange.gov