Weather-Related Pediatric Fatalities in the United States: 2001 to 2021

• 2025

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• Caroline Stephens; Sarah Cairo; Mary Fallat; Caroline Melhado; Shana Godfred-Cato; Hilary Ong
PMID: 39929230DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2024-067567

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This study analyzes pediatric fatalities related to weather events in the US over the past 21 years. It found that weather events were associated with 1423 pediatric fatalities, with flood/currents being the most common cause. While the absolute number of fatalities did not significantly change over time, the proportion of pediatric fatalities linked to weather events increased. It was also noted that 46% of these fatalities occurred in areas with Pediatric Disaster Care Centers of Excellence. The study suggests expanding health-system infrastructure for better pediatric disaster planning to reduce childhood deaths from weather-related disasters.

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Tags

Focus Area: Severe Weather

Audiences: Emergency Managers; Physicians; Public Health Professionals

Emergency Management Stage: Preparedness (Prevention / Protection)

Keywords: Child Mortality; Pediatrics; Safety; United States; Weather

Institutions: University of California San Francisco; University of Louisville; Norton Children's Hospital; University of Utah

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