Effects on child and adolescent health of climate change mitigation policies: A systematic review of modelling studies

There is a growing body of modelling evidence that demonstrates the potential for immediate and substantial benefits to adult health from greenhouse gas mitigation actions, but the effects on the health of younger age groups is largely unknown. We conducted a systematic review to identify the available published evidence of the modelled effects on child and adolescent health (<= 18 years of age) of greenhouse gas mitigation. We searched six databases of peer-reviewed studies published between January 1, 1990 and July 27, 2022, screened 27,282 original papers and included 23 eligible papers. All included studies were set in high- and middle-income countries; and all studies modelled the effects of interventions that could mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Most of the available evidence suggests positive benefits for child and adolescent respiratory health from greenhouse gas mitigation actions that simultaneously reduce air pollution (specifically PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide). We found scant evidence on child and adolescent health from regions more vulnerable to climate change, or on mitigation interventions that could affect exposures other than air pollution.

Automated summary

There is a growing body of modelling evidence that shows the potential immediate and substantial benefits to adult health from greenhouse gas mitigation actions. However, the effects on the health of younger age groups remain largely unknown. A systematic review was conducted to identify available evidence on the modelled effects of greenhouse gas mitigation on child and adolescent health. The review found mostly positive benefits for respiratory health in children and adolescents from greenhouse gas mitigation actions that also reduce air pollution. However, there is limited evidence on the health effects in regions more vulnerable to climate change or on interventions that could affect exposures other than air pollution.