The impact of rising ambient temperatures on the mental and physical health of children

IF 2.7

Hygiene and environmental health advances Pub Date : 2025-07-07 DOI:10.1016/j.heha.2025.100137

Caradee Y Wright , Mary Norval , Natasha Naidoo , Muthise Bulani , Ashraf Coovadia , Linda Theron

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Abstract

Globally, mean ambient temperatures have increased by 1.6 °C between preindustrial level and 2024, alongside a rise in extreme weather events such as heatwaves and droughts. This rapid review synthesizes the existing literature on the risks to children’s physical and mental health due to heat exposure. Comprehensive literature searches were conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. This review highlights the increased risks to children’s physical and mental health from extreme temperatures in several populations. Major health concerns include heat-related illnesses, dehydration, increasing incidence of infectious diseases, reduced cognitive performance, depression and anxiety and the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions. Potential strategies to mitigate these negative health outcomes are proposed, including improved access to cooling solutions, public health interventions, and educational campaigns to improve thermal comfort.

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环境温度上升对儿童身心健康的影响

从全球来看，与工业化前至2024年的水平相比，平均环境温度上升了1.6摄氏度，热浪和干旱等极端天气事件也有所增加。这篇快速综述综合了热暴露对儿童身心健康风险的现有文献。使用PubMed、Scopus、Web of Science和ScienceDirect进行综合文献检索。这篇综述强调了一些人群中极端温度对儿童身心健康的风险增加。主要的健康问题包括与热有关的疾病、脱水、传染病发病率增加、认知能力下降、抑郁和焦虑以及原有疾病的恶化。提出了减轻这些负面健康后果的潜在战略，包括改善获得冷却解决方案的途径、公共卫生干预措施和改善热舒适的教育运动。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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