Extreme heat and impact on children

Extreme heat and impact on children

Context: In this article we look into details of the working paper titled \'Extreme Heat Affects Early Childhood Development and Health\' from the Early Childhood Scientific Council on Equity and the Environment at Harvard University.

How extreme heat impacts young children?
• The vulnerability of young children to the rising temperatures is underscored by their smaller bodies, which heat up more quickly, and their developing capacity for body temperature regulation. The paper emphasizes that the consequences extend beyond immediate discomfort, leading to significant health issues such as low birth weight, prematurity, learning loss during school years, and, tragically, heatrelated illnesses and death.
• The intricate biological responses to excessive heat are elucidated, offering a blow-by-blow account of its impact on various organs, including the brain, skin, gut, heart, and muscles.

How exposure to constant heat impact on Pregnancy and Early Childhood?
• Pregnant women face unique challenges as high temperatures may result in reduced blood flow in the placenta, dehydration, and inflammation, potentially triggering preterm birth. Evidence suggests that elevated temperatures during pregnancy correlate with increased rates of stillbirth, premature birth, and lower birth weights, posing long-term risks such as impaired cognition, reduced growth, and chronic health issues in adulthood.
• The paper illuminates the nexus between extreme heat and developmental disruption in children, highlighting three distinct pathways: learning loss, sleep quality, and mental and behavioral health.

What does the paper recommend for mitigating effects of extreme heat?
• The paper recommends policies targeting emissions reduction, immediate actions to minimize harm from heat events, and adaptive infrastructure measures.
• Structural cooling options in buildings, green initiatives, air conditioning installations, and other cooling mechanisms are proposed to counteract the rising temperatures.
• Ensuring accessible links to the power grid and developing robust heat plans are essential components of creating resilient communities.
• Strategies adopted to mitigate heat impact on children includes community-based initiatives, educational programs, and innovative urban planning that integrates green spaces, cool roofs, and sustainable cooling solutions.