The impact of climate change on child health around the world

The World Health Organisation has described climate change as “the defining health challenge of our time”. In 2020, 2.35 billion children under 18 years - almost every child on the planet - were exposed to multiple, overlapping environmental risks. In October 2020, RCPCH joined national health and academic alliances to declare climate change an emergency requiring accelerated collaborative actions. We called on the leaders of every country to make human health central to all climate change mitigation and adaptation actions to protect children and young people (CYP). This report summarises the findings of a survey led by the International workstream of the RCPCH Climate Change Working Group to gain an insight into the personal and professional experience of child health professionals globally regarding climate change.

The results of our survey are remarkable in demonstrating the seriousness of the impact being felt within the health service; 139 healthcare professionals from 50 countries felt that the most common environmental risks children and young people face are exposure to heat, poor outdoor air quality, household air pollution and higher prevalence of infectious disease. They see firsthand the negative impact on childhood morbidity (increased diarrhoeal illnesses, extreme heat, extreme weather/malnutrition) and mental health.

Climate change is also felt to impact workload and there is recognition that adaptations to health services are required if they are to be fit for purpose for future generations. Whilst the survey had limitations due to the relatively small number of healthcare professionals contributing and recognition of some inherent bias, it nonetheless demonstrates the concern of child health professionals that climate change is significantly impacting the rights of children worldwide. Climate change is already threatening the health, education and safety of many children across the globe with those under the age of 5 years being the most vulnerable.

As we rapidly approach 2030 and the culmination of the sustainable development goals and Paris agreement, the report highlights the urgent need to involve health leaders in the process of change to withstand the problems which are going to be overwhelming in the not too distant future.

Working together as child health professionals and wider collaborations are vital if we are to safeguard the planet for future generations. We hope that this report inspires readers to get involved and make a difference.