CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Our changing climate is creating new health risks for children — longer allergy seasons, extreme heat affecting young athletes, and Lyme disease spreading to new areas. As these threats grow, parents and pediatricians need to be proactive in protecting children’s health and well-being. Allergies
Spring is in the air, bringing with it the sneezes and sniffles of allergy season! Spring allergies are hitting sooner and harder than ever before.
“Spring is coming earlier, winter’s coming later. Now that means that plants are growing longer and they’re producing pollen also for a longer period of time,” said UVA School of Medicine pediatrician Samantha Ahdoot, MD.
She is a leading expert on how our changing climate impacts children’s health. She says for most of the country, spring allergy season is hitting 20 days earlier. But that’s not all about allergies.
“Things are appearing in new places where they didn’t used to like, like Lyme disease, is now marching its way up North America,” Dr. Ahdoot told Ivanhoe.
Rising temperatures are allowing deadly warm water bacteria to migrate as far north as Nebraska — posing a growing risk to swimmers and marine bacteria is also causing issues for seafood consumers. And extreme heat is also causing more cases of heat stroke being reported across the country. Also, at risk — expectant moms.
“Extreme heat can increase the risk of babies being born too early on preterm birth,” stated Dr. Ahdoot.
As pollen lingers longer, track pollen counts, use air purifiers and have your kids change their clothes after playing outdoors. As temps continue to rise, keep kids hydrated, wear sunblock and practice sports indoors on extreme heat days. As for tick protection, dress kids in long sleeves and pants, use insect repellent and routinely check for ticks.
Another growing health risk is pollution from wildfires. In addition to causing respiratory issues in children, Dr Ahdoot points to emerging research linking wildfire smoke exposure to higher rates of autism. On days with poor air quality, it’s important to take extra precautions — keep your children indoors whenever possible to reduce their exposure.
Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Executive Producer; Matt Goldschmidt, Videographer; and Bob Walko, Editor.
Produced by Child Trends News Service in partnership with Ivanhoe Broadcast News and funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
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