A recent study by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has highlighted the significant risks posed by climate change on the health and development of children in Bangladesh. The research, which focused on children under the age of five, indicates that changes in weather patterns, particularly rainfall variability, are negatively affecting children's physical growth and nutrition.

The study, titled "Health Effects of Climate Change and Mitigating Effects of Climate Policy: Evidence from Bangladesh", was presented at a roundtable discussion held at the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI) in Dhaka on December 11. The research was led by ADB Senior Economist Dr. Minhaj Mahmud, in collaboration with Dr. Shaikh Iskandar from the University of Alabama, USA.

The research was conducted on 6,802 children aged 0 to 60 months living in rural Bangladesh, including 3,475 males and 3,324 females. Data for the study was gathered from the Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS) over three periods: 2011-12, 2015, and 2018-19.

The findings reveal that children exposed to varied rainfall patterns during pregnancy experience lower height and weight. The study found that with each unit increase in rainfall variability, there was a reduction of 0.0015 units in height and 0.0014 units in weight compared to age expectations. Additionally, children’s length and weight were impacted by the climatic changes, with slight variations in measurements due to the inconsistent rainfall.

According to the study, such environmental impacts on children’s health can lead to long-term nutritional deficiencies and underweight issues, particularly for children from food-insecure households. This presents a serious challenge for many rural families already struggling with food security.

At the roundtable discussion, PRI Chairman Zaydi Sattar, Executive Director Khurshid Alam, PRI Research Director Dr. Bajlul Haq Khandkar, and Chief Economist Dr. Ashikur Rahman also participated in the presentation and discussion. They underscored the importance of addressing the health implications of climate change, especially in developing countries like Bangladesh, where climate variability exacerbates existing health challenges.

The study’s findings are particularly crucial for policymakers and stakeholders involved in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. The research provides valuable insights into how climate-induced changes in weather patterns are already affecting the physical growth and overall well-being of children, especially those in rural, low-income communities. It calls for targeted interventions to reduce the adverse impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations, particularly children.

The researchers emphasized that the study’s results should guide policy decisions aimed at mitigating the health risks associated with climate change. Implementing climate-resilient agricultural practices, enhancing food security, and improving maternal health care are some of the measures that can help address the negative effects of climate change on children's health.

This research sheds light on the importance of integrating climate adaptation strategies into public health policies to safeguard the future of children in climate-vulnerable regions like Bangladesh. It is expected that the study will assist policymakers in making informed decisions that protect the health of the country's youngest and most vulnerable populations.