UN
The United Nations has warned that rising extreme temperatures driven by climate change pose a growing health risk to pregnant women and newborn babies. Experts emphasize that the climate crisis must be placed at the center of public health policies.
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), highlighted the importance of new scientific findings on the effects of extreme heat on pregnancy and childbirth.
As climate change makes heatwaves more frequent and intense, additional risks to maternal and newborn health are emerging, particularly in regions with limited access to healthcare services.
Scientific research suggests that exposure to extreme heat during pregnancy may be associated with adverse outcomes, including premature birth and low birth weight.
Integrating Health into Climate Policies
The UN emphasizes that climate adaptation policies must also include healthcare systems.
Preparing hospitals for extreme heat, developing early warning systems, and protecting vulnerable populations are among the measures aimed at reducing the health impacts of climate change.
