Washington pediatricians for climate action

152 of 196 countries saw an increase in annual exposure to wildfires from 2015–18

The health effects of wildfires include:

• direct thermal injuries and death

• Exacerbation of respiratory symptoms of underlying diseases such as asthma

• Mental health impacts due to trauma

Climate change causes higher temperatures, earlier snowmelts, and overall hotter, drier conditions, which increase wildfire risk

Extremes of precipitation are increasing, with different regions being affected in different ways

Floods impact health through:

Direct injury and death

Spread of vector and water-borne diseases

Mental health sequelae

Drought negatively affects crop yields and food security, resulting in malnutrition and migration