ISMED-CLIM Team at the 21st Scientific Conference “ The Dynamics of Environmental Impacts on Child Health ”

On 23 October 2025, ISMED-CLIM was represented by Dr Pinelopi Anagnostopoulou, Pediatrician–Pediatric Pulmonologist and Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at the University of Cyprus, who presented at the 21st Scientific Conference titled “The Dynamics of Environmental Impacts on Child Health: Developments, Emerging Risks and Prevention.”

In her talk, “The impact of high temperatures and desert dust on children’s health,” Dr Anagnostopoulou shared research findings on how extreme environmental conditions such as elevated temperatures and desert dust exposure affect pregnant women, fetuses, and children. She also introduced the ISMED-CLIM project, highlighting its contribution to understanding how climate change and extreme environmental factors influence the health of vulnerable populations.

The conference was co-organised by the Cyprus National Committee “Environment and Child Health” and the Cyprus Paediatric Society, with support from the Medical School of the University of Cyprus and under the auspices of the Minister of Health, Mr Michalis Damianou. It gathered leading scientists from Cyprus and abroad, including representatives from UNESCO, to discuss emerging environmental risks and prevention strategies for children’s health.

Why this event matters for ISMED-CLIM

The conference focus closely aligns with ISMED-CLIM’s mission to understand and respond to climate-driven health challenges. Dr Anagnostopoulou’s presentation provided visibility for the project among key health and environmental stakeholders in the Eastern Mediterranean and strengthened collaboration with policy makers, researchers, and clinicians working on child and maternal health resilience in the face of climate change.

Key takeaways from the presentation

The talk underlined the growing evidence that high ambient temperatures and desert dust events can influence respiratory and developmental outcomes in children, while also posing additional risks for pregnant women. It drew attention to physiological and behavioral mechanisms that make early life particularly vulnerable and emphasized the importance of integrating environmental and health data to improve prevention and early-warning systems. Dr Anagnostopoulou highlighted how ISMED-CLIM combines scientific evidence with practical tools to help protect these sensitive populations.

The session also stressed that mitigating such risks requires multi-disciplinary collaboration between paediatricians, climatologists, data scientists, and public-health officials, bridging research and clinical practice to ensure that prevention strategies reach those most affected.

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