Policy brief: Beat the heat: child health amid heatwaves in Europe and Central Asia

More than 92 million, or half of all children in 50 countries across Europe and Central Asia are exposed to frequent heatwaves – double the global average of 1 in 4 children. Heatwaves are set to increase further in frequency and intensity in the coming years due to global warming, and expected to increase the risk of heat stress in children in 23 countries across Europe and Central Asia. Urgent measures are needed to protect the most vulnerable people of all: the youngest children. About half of the children below 20 years old who die as a result of heat stress die before their first birthday. In 2021, the premature death of 377 children in 23 countries in Europe and Central Asia could be attributed to heat stress. The report provides some figures, clarifies the mechanisms of heat vulnerability in children and provides recommendations for action.