Scientists say high temperatures can affect sleep quality, disrupt hormones and alter mood and behavior - Photo: AI
In the study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, the scientists said they used data from nearly 20,000 students aged 10 to 18, collected through a nationwide school health survey in 2021. Of these, more than half were female and the majority were in secondary school.
Results showed that nearly 20% of students showed signs of depression, and more than 16% suffered from anxiety.
Based on three different heatwave indicators including average temperature extremes and daily maximum and minimum temperatures, the researchers found that higher levels of heatwave exposure were associated with increased risk of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems.
Notably, the study found that male students and students living in rural areas appeared to be more vulnerable to the effects of extreme temperatures.
Professor Yizhen Yu, co-author of the study and currently working at the School of Public Health at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, said the findings highlight the importance of protecting adolescent mental health in the context of a rapidly changing global climate.
He recommends that policymakers integrate adaptation to extreme temperatures into public health programs, such as adjusting school safety procedures during heat waves.
The warning comes as extreme heat waves are becoming increasingly frequent and severe around the world .
Temperatures broke multi-year records in several states on the U.S. East Coast this week, and China issued a heat alert for its capital, Beijing. According to the nonprofit Climate Central, heat waves like these are three to five times more likely to occur due to human-caused climate change.
Not only in China, previous studies in Madagascar and many other places also recorded high levels of anxiety and depression in adolescents living in harsh climates.
High temperatures disrupt hormones and sleep.
Scientists say high temperatures can affect sleep quality, disrupt hormones and alter mood and behavior.
Last year the American Psychological Association called for policies and infrastructure changes to protect mental health from the effects of heat.
Dr. Kim Meidenbauer, a psychologist at Washington State University, said that if society fails to properly assess the impact that temperature has on mental health, it will be more difficult for us to come up with solutions to protect people from these serious consequences.
The study by the Chinese team once again highlights the close link between climate change and public health - especially the mental health of young people.
With the number of heat waves forecast to continue to increase, this is a timely warning for managers, educators and health professionals to work together to develop effective adaptation solutions to protect future generations from a dual crisis of both physical and mental health.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/song-nhiet-lam-tang-nguy-co-tram-cam-o-thanh-thieu-nien-20250625225040529.htm
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