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First global synthesis of heat-related mental health impacts in children and young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of non-optimal temperatures and heatwaves, posing risks to public health, especially for children and young people. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impacts of (i) non-optimal ambient temperatures and (ii) heatwaves on mental health outcomes in this group globally. METHODS: We searched five databases for studies published between 2000 and 2024. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we selected studies by using the population-exposure-comparison-outcome (PECO) framework (PROSPERO protocol ID CRD42024524650). We performed a random-effects meta-analysis, assessed the risk of bias, and examined variation by age, gender, income, and climate zones. RESULTS: Of 23 included studies, 19 examined ambient temperature and 4 examined heatwaves. A 1°C increase in daily ambient temperature was associated with a 0.9% increase in morbidity-related mental health outcomes across varied healthcare encounters and diagnoses (relative risk = 1.009; 95% confidence interval: 1.003-1.016). Children aged 5-18 years were most vulnerable, with a 1.5% increased risk associated with high temperatures (1.005-1.026) and 25% increased risk during heatwaves (1.006-1.561). Climate-zone analyses showed that children and young people in humid subtropical and hot-summer continental zones had the highest risks from high temperatures (1.004-1.036 and 1.004-1.038, respectively). CONCLUSION: High temperatures and heatwaves were associated with adverse mental health risks in children and young people. Data were lacking for some of the hottest and most socio-economically disadvantaged regions globally. Future research should prioritize these regions, explore mechanistic pathways, and generate disaggregated data.
DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyag121
Authors: Shevonne Kwan, Jacqueline Stephens, Corey J A Bradshaw, Blesson M Varghese, Kirrilly Thompson, Melinda A Judge, Peter N Le Souëf, Syeda H Fatima
Institutions: Flinders University, Adelaide University, The University of Adelaide, University of Newcastle Australia, The Kids Research Institute Australia, The University of Western Australia, University of Canberra
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,514
OpenAlex ID: W7171038129
FWCI:
Cites: 41
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Related to: 10