Cases of asthma-induced hospitalizations and incidences of Lyme disease are expected to increase for children globally, as climate change continues to worsen, according to a new EPA report.
Emergency department visits from children as a result of climate change also are likely to increase, according to the report. Asthma-related visits could increase by as much as 5,800 annually if temperatures rise 2 degrees Celsius and by as much as 10,000 annually if temperatures increase by 4 degrees Celsius.
Cases of asthma in general are projected to increase by as much as 11 percent and those diagnosed with Lyme disease could rise by 241 percent, or 23,400 additional cases annually according to the highest estimates.
Less severe outcomes that would also affect childhood healthcare are an increase in seasonal allergies, which could prompt 41,000 visits and up to 121,000 additional prescriptions to treat the cases, according to the report.
"Understanding health risks to children is critical for developing effective and equitable strategies that will protect our current and future generations," Michael Regan, EPA administrator said in the April 25 press release.