Impact of Extreme Weather and Climate Events on the Health of Australian Children and Youth: A Place-Based Life Course Perspective on Healthcare Utilisation

Abstract

Background The frequency and magnitude of climate related hazards and extremes are projected to increase across the life course of current youth and future generations with clear differences in impacts across different geographic areas. While understanding how climate-related exposures affect healthcare utilisation for these cohorts is critical to long-term health system planning and preparedness, existing literature focuses predominantly on adults. Methods This narrative review aimed to investigate whether primary and acute healthcare service utilisation associated with climate exposures vary by age and location among people aged 0 to 18 years in Australia. Sixty-three manuscripts were included and narratively summarised by researchers and AI. These findings were placed in context of additional data sources relating to climate zones, and frequency of climate exposures. Findings Climate exposures were significantly associated with utilisation of primary and acute healthcare services across the Australian childhood, and particularly among infants. Yet, despite a marked increase in frequency of climate exposures over time, very little attention was given to the impact of exposure to cumulative climate-related hazards across a single generational cohort; differential vulnerability across all age groups and priority populations with existing disabilities or chronic conditions other than asthma; the impact of floods and cyclones; and diverse regions such as desert and equatorial climate zones within Australia. Interpretation Future research should take a place-based, life course approach to support health system planning that proactively prepares for the cumulative, compounding effects of climate-related hazards on the physical and mental health of young Australians. Now is the time to harness existing climate and health datasets and emerging analytic techniques to centre child and youth health in preventative environmental and climate research and policy. Failure to do so risks leaving children vulnerable to disproportionate acute and long-term impacts that limit their lifelong wellbeing, productivity, and potential.