Publications by authors named "Christina B Wu"
Article Synopsis
- Climate change, driven by fossil fuel emissions, is threatening the physical and mental health of children by altering climate stability, leading to extreme weather, and disrupting communities.
- These impacts worsen existing inequalities and create long-term injustices that affect both current and future generations.
- Pediatricians are stepping up as advocates for climate action, promoting policies aimed at reducing fossil fuel dependency and fostering healthier environments for children to ensure their well-being and equity now and in the future.
Observed changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, sea level, and extreme weather are destabilizing major determinants of human health. Children are at higher risk of climate-related health burdens than adults because of their unique behavior patterns; developing organ systems and physiology; greater exposure to air, food, and water contaminants per unit of body weight; and dependence on caregivers. Climate change harms children through numerous pathways, including air pollution, heat exposure, floods and hurricanes, food insecurity and nutrition, changing epidemiology of infections, and mental health harms.
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