Climate change affects Indigenous children's health worldwide, review of 53 studies finds
Indigenous children across the globe are experiencing significant climate-related health impacts, ranging from malnutrition and infectious diseases to effects on mental health and cultural well-being and problems before birth, according to a new study.
A recent review of 53 studies finds that climate change is significantly harming the health of Indigenous children worldwide, impacting their mental well-being, nutrition, infectious diseases, perinatal health, and overall mortality. The research, led by The Kids Research Institute Australia, The University of Western Australia, and Flinders University, highlights the unique and overlapping vulnerabilities faced by Indigenous children in diverse environmental, cultural, and geographic settings.
The study identified six major climate-related exposures—heat stress, seasonal and oceanic changes, hydroclimatic variability, air pollution, disasters, and other environmental risks—that led to five main health outcomes in Indigenous children. The strongest effect was on psychosocial and cultural well-being, as climate change disrupted connections to land, culture, language, and traditional practices, leading to stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief.
Researchers emphasize the importance of incorporating Indigenous knowledges and leadership in climate action, recognizing Indigenous children as crucial contributors to solutions and solutions.
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