Overview

• At temperatures above 30 °C, insurance data from DAK-Gesundheit reveals that children’s risk of sunstroke, cramps and exhaustion increases elevenfold.
• Analysis shows school-aged children face about a 15-fold increase in heat-related health issues, while newborns and infants have a 19% higher chance of respiratory treatments on hot days.
• Health effects emerge at temperatures above 25 °C, with symptoms including headaches, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite and circulatory problems reported by 82% of children in Northern Germany.
• According to a Forsa survey, 79% of parents observe their children suffering during heatwaves and nearly half of children feel too little is done for climate protection.
• DAK-Gesundheit and public health experts are calling for immediate implementation of heat protection measures in kindergartens, schools and playgrounds to safeguard young people.