Climate Changes Children’s Health: Improving Clinical Practice to Address Changing Health Needs

Abstract

Climate change is impacting children’s health in unprecedented ways. Although everyone is vulnerable to some health impacts associated with climate change, children are disproportionately affected because of their developing bodies. Climate changes that include extreme heat, flooding, rising sea levels, wildfires, and increasing carbon dioxide levels are associated with a wide range of health issues in children such as asthma, allergies, vector-borne diseases, neurodevelopmental issues, and depression. Nurse practitioners play a critical role in translating scientific findings into their clinical practices to promote and protect children’s health through interventions that include anticipatory guidance.