Written by:
Dr. Salima Meherali, PhD: Assistant Professor, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta.
Yared Asmare Aynalem: (PhD Student), Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta
Saba Nisa: (MN Student), Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta.
Zohra Lassi, PhD: Associate Professor and NHMRC Emerging Leader-2 (EL2) Fellow at the Robinson Research Institute and the School of Public Health of the University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Climate change, a global crisis, significantly affects diverse aspects of human life. While the direct environmental impacts of climate change are widely acknowledged, its hidden impact on adolescents receives less attention but is equally worrisome. The term “hidden impacts” of climate change refers to the less obvious or often overlooked consequences that may not receive as much attention as more visible or immediate effects. These impacts can manifest in various ways across different sectors and ecosystems, often with profound and long-term implications [1,2]. The pervasive nature of climate change has made it a critical global concern, impacting various facets of human existence. Despite the focus on environmental and economic consequences, the influence of climate change on health, precisely sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes among adolescents, remains relatively understudied. This blog aims to shed light on the hidden consequences of climate change on adolescents’ SRH and highlight the urgent need for comprehensive and collaborative action and intervention.
Intersecting Impact of Climate Change on Adolescents’ SRH:
Adolescents aged 10-19 face unique SRH challenges during their critical developmental phase, making them particularly vulnerable to external stressors such as climate change. During adolescence, which is a pivotal period of development marked by the exploration of sexuality and initiation of sexual activity, adverse climate events exacerbate existing vulnerabilities. Research suggests that climate change significantly impacts adolescents’ SRH outcomes, potentially impeding their access to essential health services and influencing their reproductive decisions [3]. Climate-related disasters like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires disrupt healthcare infrastructure and services, thereby limiting adolescents’ access to crucial sexual health resources such as contraception, STI/HIV testing, and reproductive healthcare, including abortion care [4]. Furthermore, displacement resulting from environmental disasters increases the risk of sexual violence, gender-based violence, and exploitation, leaving adolescents more vulnerable to abuse [5,6]. The breakdown of social support systems during crises can further isolate vulnerable individuals, increasing susceptibility to harmful practices [7]. Economic challenges such as reduced household incomes, food insecurity, and displacement may push adolescents to resort to early marriages or transactional sex as coping mechanisms, limiting their autonomy and agency in shaping their futures [8].
Building Resilience Among Adolescents:
Promoting resilience among adolescents amidst SRH issues and climate change challenges requires a multifaceted approach. This involves providing comprehensive SRH education, empowering youth through engagement in decision-making processes, and ensuring access to youth-friendly SRH services and safe spaces. Additionally, it includes building coping skills and emotional resilience, educating about climate change, fostering climate action, and promoting gender equality and social justice. Collaborative efforts between policymakers, healthcare providers, educators, researchers, community organizations, and youth groups are essential to implement these strategies effectively and empower adolescents to navigate these complex challenges successfully.
Strategies for Addressing SRH and Climate Change:
Addressing adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in the context of climate change requires a multifaceted approach that involves interventions at individual, institutional, and societal levels. It is important to provide comprehensive sexuality education to adolescents with accurate information about SRH, including the links between climate change and SRH, such as how environmental factors affect SRH outcomes. Equip adolescents with the skills and confidence to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health, including negotiating safer sex practices and advocating for their rights. Policymakers and government leaders should prioritize adolescent SRH by allocating resources to comprehensive sexual health education and youth-friendly healthcare. They must integrate climate resilience into adolescent health policies and involve young people in decision-making processes on SRH and climate change. Healthcare providers should offer youth-friendly services and empower adolescents with accurate information on sexual health and climate change impacts. Educators and school administrators should advocate for inclusive sex education and foster a school culture promoting respect and open dialogue on SRH and climate change. Community leaders and organizations should mobilize resources and raise awareness about the intersection of climate change and SRH, empowering young people to advocate for their health and the planet. Collaboration between stakeholders from diverse sectors is crucial in developing holistic solutions to complex challenges. Various strategies could be implemented to achieve this goal, including youth-led climate action workshops, online platforms, interdisciplinary collaboration, social media campaigns, community-based advocacy events, and policy advocacy campaigns. Through these comprehensive efforts, adolescents are empowered to address SRH challenges in the face of climate change and contribute to building a healthier and more sustainable future.
Conclusion:
By prioritizing collaborative efforts between policymakers, healthcare providers, educators, researchers, community organizations, and youth groups, we can effectively implement strategies to empower adolescents and help them navigate these complex challenges successfully.
Author (s)
Dr. Salima Meherali, PhD: Assistant Professor, Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta.
Yared Asmare Aynalem: (PhD Student), Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta
Saba Nisa: (MN Student), Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta.
Zohra Lassi, PhD: Associate Professor and NHMRC Emerging Leader-2 (EL2) Fellow at the Robinson Research Institute and the School of Public Health of the University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Competing Interest: None.
References
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