News and Insights
How Air Quality Affects Early Childhood Development and Health
In this conversation on the Brain Architects podcast, Lindsey Burghardt, MD, MPH, FAAP, moderates a conversation with Alison Lee, MD, MS, and Joseph Allen, DSc, MPH, on how air quality during pregnancy and early childhood impacts lifelong health and development.
Protecting Children and Caregivers During Extreme Heat
Heat waves are occurring with greater frequency and lasting longer than ever before, shaping children’s environments—and, therefore, their development—in new ways.
Our Chief Science Officer, Lindsey Burghardt, MD, MPH, FAAP, recently joined the BUILD Initiative for a discussion on how extreme heat affects early childhood development and health, and how we can prevent or minimize the effects of extreme heat on children. Dr. Burghardt appeared alongside three other panelists, who also shared strategies and perspectives as parents, urban planners, and policymakers.
Climate disasters can alter kids’ brains — before they’re even born
A new article from Grist highlights how exposure to climate-related disasters during pregnancy and early childhood can disrupt healthy brain development, with long-lasting effects on learning, behavior, and health.
Our Chief Science Officer, Lindsey Burghardt, MD, MPH, FAAP, was quoted in the piece, emphasizing that while this is a highly sensitive developmental period, it’s also a window of opportunity. With the right supports and policies in place, we can buffer the effects of climate stress and promote resilience in both children and those who care for them.
Featured Newsletter: September 2025
In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find a new At a Glance edition on indoor air quality and early childhood development—offering a brief overview of what we know and what we can do to protect children’s health and well-being.
You’ll also find the recording of our recent webinar on how wildfire smoke affects young children, as well as new commentary in Nature on keeping children safe from lead after wildfires and updates from the Center’s recent session with state policymakers at the NCSL Legislative Summit.
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