Climate Change Worsening Health and Services for Young Malaysians, Unicef Survey Finds

Young Malaysians are reporting worsening illnesses, heat-related health problems and disruptions to basic services as climate change intensifies, raising questions over whether the country’s adaptation policies can protect future generations.

Unicef Malaysia’s National Youth Climate Change Survey 2025, released in July, found that climate change was no longer only an environmental challenge but an immediate public health and economic issue.

The survey gathered responses from 1,420 young people aged 15 to 30 across Malaysia between June and October 2025.

Experts warned that policymakers must invest not only in reducing emissions but also in adapting to more frequent heatwaves, floods and other climate-related shocks, or risk deeper disruption to children’s health, education and Malaysia’s future workforce.

Unicef said the survey’s findings showed climate change was affecting young people’s health and well-being, with respondents reporting significant concerns: one in four, or 25.9 per cent, said existing illnesses had worsened, while 19.7 per cent reported skin conditions, 18 per cent cited heat-related illnesses and 14.3 per cent respiratory problems.

More than half said climate-related disasters had affected their access to essential services, including information, education and safe spaces.

Dr Jemilah Mahmood, executive director of the Sunway Centre for Planetary Health, said the Unicef findings showed the issue had evolved from an environmental concern into a public health challenge.