The Effects of Wildfires on the Mental and Physical Health of School-Age Children in North America: A Scoping Review
The Effects of Wildfires on the Mental and Physical Health of School-Age Children in North America: A Scoping Review examines how wildfires impact the mental and physical health of children aged 5-18. It highlights direct effects such as respiratory issues, burns, and acute stress, as well as indirect effects like anxiety, PTSD, school closure and social disruptions, and exposure to wildfire-related air pollution. The study calls for more research on pediatric health outcomes and the development of targeted interventions to support children affected by wildfire exposure.
Oerther, S., Manspeaker, S., Wix, A., Oerther, D., & Marsit, C. (2024). The effects of wildfires on the mental and physical health of school-age children in North America: A scoping review. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 37, e70002.