Climate Change Heat Stress Puts 145 Million Indian Children at Risk of Dehydration, Heatstroke: Study

A new study has highlighted the growing impact of climate change on children in India, estimating that 145 million children aged 0-9 are exposed to at least one additional month of heat stress every year because of human-induced climate change.

The increased exposure to extreme heat can raise the risk of heat-related health problems, including dehydration and heatstroke, particularly among young children.

Children are especially vulnerable to high temperatures because their bodies can struggle to regulate heat as effectively as adults. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can therefore become a serious health concern.

The findings underline how climate change is increasingly affecting vulnerable populations and highlight the need for stronger measures to protect children from rising heat exposure.

As temperatures continue to increase, measures such as access to drinking water, shaded spaces, cooling facilities and timely heat-health warnings can play an important role in reducing the risks associated with extreme heat.

The study's estimate of 145 million children exposed to an additional month of heat stress highlights the scale of the challenge facing India as climate change continues to intensify heat-related risks.