Flinders Study Links 1°C Heat Rise to 1.5% Higher Child Mental Health Risk
Updated
Updated · Connected to India · Aug 8
Flinders Study Links 1°C Heat Rise to 1.5% Higher Child Mental Health Risk
3 articles · Updated · Connected to India · Aug 8
Summary
A global review of 23 studies found children and teenagers face worse mental health outcomes as temperatures rise, with risk increasing 25% during heatwaves and 1.5% in higher temperatures.
Children aged 5 to 18 were identified as most vulnerable, as hot nights, disrupted routines, poorer learning, parental stress and family conflict can all intensify during extreme heat.
The study, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, also linked high temperatures to more emergency visits, anxiety, depression and suicide attempts among young people.
Researchers said the findings support climate-adaptation measures that include child-focused mental health protections such as cooler classrooms, better ventilation and shaded outdoor spaces.
The authors cautioned that heatwave-specific evidence is still limited, even as Australia braces for a severe El Niño summer and more frequent extreme heat globally.