{
  "id": 221189,
  "title": "Scorching summers and heat waves linked to poorer mental health in children",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/scorching-summers-and-heat-waves-linked-to-poorer-mental-health-in",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-06T13:20:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Medical Xpress",
    "slug": "medical-xpress",
    "url": "https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-08-summers-linked-poorer-mental-health.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new study has found a link between rising temperatures and poorer mental health in children and young people worldwide. Published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, the research, which analyzed data from 23 global studies, shows that for every 1°C increase in daily temperature, the risk of mental health issues in children aged 5-18 rises by nearly 1%. During heat waves, this risk increases by 25% and by 1.5% when temperatures are higher. Flinders University epidemiologist, Associate Professor Jacqueline Stephens, explains that children are particularly vulnerable due to their developing physiology and behavioral tendencies, as well as their frequent disruptions to outdoor activities, education, and recreation caused by extreme heat. The study also notes that higher temperatures have been linked to increased emergency visits, anxiety, depression, and suicide attempts in children. Co-author Professor Corey Bradshaw emphasizes the need for climate adaptation efforts to integrate mental health considerations, especially in countries facing more frequent severe weather events.",
  "summary": "As record-breaking heat grips communities worldwide and Australia prepares for an intense El Niño summer, new research provides the first global review linking high temperatures and heat waves to poorer mental health in children and young people.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}