ESC Cardio Talk Journal editorial - Cardiovascular child health in a changing climate
Mar 23, 2026
Elena Raffetti, researcher at Karolinska Institute and University of Cambridge specializing in cardiovascular epidemiology and environmental impacts on children. She discusses climate and air pollution effects on child heart health. Short sentences cover why childhood climate research matters. They highlight socioeconomic disparities, metabolomics clues, exposure measurement challenges, and practical protections for kids.
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Climate Extremes Threaten Child Cardiovascular Health
- Children's cardiovascular health faces unprecedented climate-driven risks from rising temperatures and extremes.
- Elena Raffetti highlights that current and future generations will be exposed to historic temperature extremes affecting early-life cardiovascular development.
Air Pollution And Heat Remodel Children's Hearts
- Long-term PM2.5, moderate/extreme temperatures and humidity associate with thicker carotid intima and larger LV dimensions in children.
- Mayank Dalakoti notes these exposures also showed signals of reduced ejection fraction and interactive amplification between pollution and heat.
Low Income Children Face A Double Environmental Burden
- Socioeconomic disadvantage creates a double burden: higher exposure and greater effect sizes from pollution and heat.
- Elena Raffetti explains low-income children face more exposure and stronger associations, making prevention priorities clear.