As highlighted by a comprehensive set of studies led by the World Health Organization (WHO), recently published in the Journal of Global Health, extreme weather events, such as intense heat waves, exacerbated air pollution, and natural disasters like floods and wildfires, pose severe and immediate threats to the health of these demographic groups.
Pregnant women face an increased risk of health complications due to climate change, with impacts that can extend to newborns. In addition, children, adolescents, and the elderly are subject to a range of health problems, from respiratory diseases to cardiovascular disorders, exacerbated or triggered by extreme weather events. These findings stem from an international collaboration between WHO experts and academics from various fields, underscoring the urgency of coordinated and effective actions to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on global health.
The compilation of studies, titled “Climate Change Across the Life Course,” is a comprehensive effort to gather scientific evidence on the varied impacts of climate change on health, addressing different stages of life. This collection closely examines extreme weather events such as heat waves, air pollution, and natural disasters like wildfires and floods.
The studies emphasize that climate change can trigger serious health complications, often with fatal outcomes. However, there is a concerning underestimation of these risks, particularly among vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and pregnant women. These findings highlight the urgent need to recognize and address the adverse impacts of climate change on human health, as well as to implement preventive and adaptive measures to protect these high-risk populations.
The study authors pointed out that preterm births have become more frequent during heat waves, significantly increasing the risk of infant mortality. According to the WHO, each 1°C increase in the daily minimum temperature above 23.9°C is associated with up to a 22.4% rise in infant mortality risk.
Additionally, researchers emphasized that extreme heat is directly linked to a higher risk of heart attacks and respiratory problems in the elderly.
“These studies make it clear that climate change is not just a future health threat; certain populations are already paying a high price,” said Anshu Banerjee, WHO’s Director of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing. “While awareness of climate change has grown, measures to protect the lives of those at greatest risk remain woefully inadequate. Achieving climate justice requires urgent correction of this situation.”
The collection of studies highlights a range of specific physical and mental health impacts associated with adverse weather events. Extreme temperatures are linked to adverse birth outcomes, such as preterm births and stillbirths, as well as conditions like hypertension and gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Heat waves can also impair cognitive function in children and adolescents and increase cardiovascular risk among the elderly.
Air pollution raises the likelihood of high blood pressure during pregnancy, low birth weight, premature birth, and delays in fetal brain and lung development. Moreover, it increases the risk of respiratory diseases among children and the elderly.
Natural disasters can also have negative impacts on physical and mental health, increasing the risk of diarrheal diseases and malnutrition due to water contamination and food shortages caused by floods and droughts. Wildfires, in turn, can intensify respiratory disorders and cardiovascular mortality rates among the elderly.
The WHO stresses that although climate change can affect the entire population, the consequences may be even more severe for vulnerable groups who rely on regular access to healthcare and social support, such as infants, the elderly, and pregnant women.
“There is an urgent need to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and strengthening climate resilience. We must adopt specific measures to protect health at different stages of life and ensure the continuity of healthcare services for those at greatest risk during climate disasters,” says Anayda Portela, WHO scientist and study author.
Based on the collection of articles, researchers aim to assist governments in addressing climate risks and planning measures to mitigate the health impacts of climate change. According to the authors, there is currently a lack of measures tailored to the specific needs of women, infants, children, adolescents, and elderly individuals who may face mobility and cognitive restrictions.
The researchers advocate that measures should include the preparation of childhood support systems, social assistance, and education to face extreme weather events and temperature increases. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of involving people of all ages in climate action to create more resilient communities prepared to deal with the challenges of climate change.
Ultimately, the collection of studies underscores the pressing need for coordinated and comprehensive action to address the health impacts of climate change, especially for society’s most vulnerable groups. The researchers stress the importance of policies and measures that consider the particular needs of women, children, the elderly, and other at-risk populations.
To truly protect public health and promote climate justice, it is essential for governments and communities to commit to implementing mitigation and adaptation strategies. This includes actions ranging from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to strengthening the resilience of health and social infrastructures.
Moreover, there must be a collective effort to raise awareness about climate risks and empower people of all ages to engage in sustainable practices and policies. Only through a holistic and inclusive approach can we hope to effectively address the public health challenges posed by climate change and ensure a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
