Climate change impacts on child and adolescent health and well-being: A narrative review

In this review, authors provide an overview of how climate change-related events may affect child and adolescent health and well-being, including children’s mental and physical health, nutrition, safety and security, learning opportunities, and family caregiving and connectedness. Worldwide, the climate is changing and affecting the health and well-being of children in many ways. 

Systematic review evidence consistently points to negative associations between climate change and children’s physical and mental health, well-being, and family functioning. Yet, much remains unknown about the causal pathways linking climate-change-related events and mental and physical health, responsive relationships and connectedness, nutrition, and learning in children and adolescents. This evidence is urgently needed so that adverse health and other impacts from climate change can be prevented or minimised through welltimed and appropriate action.