Impact of the Climate Crisis on Childhood Health

Abstract As climate change accelerates, pediatricians are increasingly confronted with its impact on child health. Rising global temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns, and intensifying extreme weather events pose urgent and growing threats to the physical and mental well-being of children. Children are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and mortality as heat waves become more frequent and severe. Flooding and displacement from tropical storms and hurricanes lead to trauma, disruption of care, and increased risk of respiratory and mental health conditions. Declining air quality from wildfires and pollution surges exacerbates respiratory illnesses. At the same time, the geographic range of vector-borne diseases is expanding, exposing children to infections in previously unaffected areas. Climate-driven disruptions to agriculture and water supply contribute to food insecurity, stunting, and worsening outcomes among children with chronic diseases—particularly in socioeconomically marginalized communities. This review highlights the central role pediatricians must play in responding to the climate crisis—through clinical recognition, anticipatory guidance, family education, and policy advocacy. To provide a focused and actionable framework, the review is organized around 4 key climate-related hazard categories: (1) Heat; (2) Floods, Tropical Storms, and Hurricanes; (3) Droughts, Wildfires, and Pollution Surges; and (4) Vector-Borne Illness. Each section explores the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical management of health impacts linked to these events, offering pediatric-specific guidance for frontline clinicians and public health professionals. As climate change reshapes disease patterns and environmental exposures, pediatricians must evolve to meet this challenge and help safeguard the health and futures of the children they serve.