Title: Human Development - Climate and Human Health
Headings: Human Development
Human Development
Climate and Human Health
Health Impacts
Mitigation and Adaptation
Research Needs

Content: Human Development - Climate and Human Health
Human Development
NIEHS Home Page
Health & Education
Research
At NIEHS
Clinical Research
Funded by NIEHS Grants
Initiatives in Environmental Health Science
Coronavirus Updates from NIEHS
Disaster Research Response (DR2) Program
Endocrine Disruptors Research
Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO)
Faculty for Advancing Neuroscience (FAN) Cross-divisional Group
Global Environmental Health
Climate Change and Human Health
Climate and Children’s Health
Engagement and Education
Ongoing Activities
Research Program and Funding Opportunities
Resources and Publications
Cookstoves and Indoor Air
GEH Events
GEH Newsletter
GEH Podcasts
GEH Webinars
WHO Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health Sciences
Gulf Oil Spill Response Efforts
Inflammation Faculty
NIH RADx Efforts at NIEHS
PFAS Research
Translational Research at NIEHS
Women's Health Awareness
Resources for Scientists
What We Study
Funding Opportunities
Careers & Training
News & Events
About NIEHS
Climate and Human Health
The environment can be a powerful modifier of the normal development and behavior of humans. Environmental effects on development include reduction in IQ from exposure to heavy metals such as lead, changes in puberty from exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, birth defects, and fetal loss. Birth defects are the leading cause of death in children, and those born with birth defects have a greater risk of illness and long-term disability than those born without birth defects. Environmental exposure during the most critical developmental times, such as preconception, pre-implantation, the fetal period, and early childhood, can lead to functional loss and developmental changes through genetic mutations and epigenetic change, among other mechanisms. Consequences of developmental changes include a lifetime of suffering and significant society costs in terms of resources, medical care, and lost productivity. Health Impacts
Foodborne illness and food insecurity leads to malnutrition. Nutritional reductions to a developing fetus have lasting effects throughout life. Malnutrition and under-nutrition during pregnancy are a global cause of low birth weight and later developmental deficits
Changes in the patterns and concentration of contaminants, such as mercury and lead, entering the marine environment can increase contaminations in seafood, which can lead to developmental effects including a reduction in IQ of the developing fetus
Increase in weeds and pests leads to an increase in the use of herbicides and pesticides, resulting in increased exposure and increasing the risk of developmental changes
Increase in prevalence of certain toxins, including certain metals, inorganic arsenic, PCBs, persistent organic compounds, in human environments as released by extreme weather events. These toxins have been known to be human carcinogens and can alter the immune system. Increases in the frequency and location of harmful algal blooms, increasing the amount of biotoxins in fish and seafood, leading to developmental effects if eaten by a pregnant woman
Mitigation and Adaptation
Access to prenatal care and to early intervention services will be critical in preventing and treating birth defects.