A review of studies assessing the benefits of clean air and climate mitigation policies for child and adult health

Objective

We sought to review the body of evidence on the health benefits of climate mitigation and clean air policies aimed at curbing emissions from fossil fuel sources.

Methods

We have built on and updated a prior review by Picetti et al. [1] of 16 peer-reviewed studies that focused primarily on child and adolescent health outcomes related to climate mitigation policies. We include the findings of 26 studies of the health benefits of clean air or climate policies, presenting estimates of the numbers of avoided cases of mortality or morbidity in infants, children, and/or adolescents, as well as adult illness or mortality when included in the same study. Where available, details on the economic savings associated with the avoidance of cases (13 studies) and distribution of benefits across racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups (4 studies) are presented.

Results

All 26 studies found positive and substantial impacts of climate and clean air policies on the health of children and adults, along with substantial associated cost savings (reported in half of the studies). The benefits are likely to be serious undercounts as most studies included a limited suite of outcomes: economic savings generally considered only short-term costs; and the health benefits of climate policies were estimated as “co-benefits” of reduced air pollution, omitting those from fewer climate “shocks”.

Conclusions

The results of this review show positive and substantial benefits of climate and clean air policies and should incentivize and inform future policies to mitigate fossil-fuel related climate change and air pollution.