A new global analysis reveals that extreme heat, intensified by climate change, is endangering maternal health and birth outcomes around the world especially in vulnerable regions with limited access to healthcare. According to data from Climate Central, rising temperatures over the past five years have dramatically increased the number of high-risk heat days for pregnant women across the globe.
The report assessed daily maximum temperatures between 2020 and 2024 in 247 countries, territories, and dependencies, as well as 940 major cities. It focused on what researchers call “pregnancy heat-risk days” those with maximum temperatures warmer than 95% of all historical temperatures at a given location. These conditions are closely associated with heightened risks of preterm birth and pregnancy complications.
The findings are stark: in 78 countries, pregnant individuals faced more than a full month of additional pregnancy heat-risk days annually due to human-driven climate change. Even more striking, in 222 countries, the average number of these dangerous heat days more than doubled compared to a world without climate change.
The most severe impacts were concentrated in developing regions, including the Caribbean, parts of Central and South America, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and sub-Saharan Africa. These are areas where healthcare systems often lack the capacity to manage the added strain of heat-related maternal risks.
With climate change driving longer and more intense heatwaves, the consequences for maternal and newborn health are becoming increasingly urgent. Heat stress during pregnancy can lead to dehydration, restricted fetal growth, low birth weight, and increased rates of stillbirth or premature labor.
This growing crisis calls for immediate action both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to implement public health strategies that protect vulnerable populations. These include expanding access to prenatal care, improving heatwave alert systems, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, and integrating maternal health into national climate adaptation plans.
As the climate continues to warm, safeguarding the health of pregnant women must become a priority for global health and climate resilience. The well-being of future generations depends on it.
To reduce heat-related pregnancy risks, a combination of public health, clinical, and community-based interventions can make a significant difference. Here are specific, evidence-backed strategies:
1. Access to Cool and Safe Spaces
– Ensure availability of air-conditioned shelters or cooling centers, especially during heatwaves.
– Promote the use of fans, shaded areas, and proper ventilation in homes and clinics.
– Encourage urban planning that includes green spaces and tree cover to reduce urban heat islands.
2. Improved Prenatal Care
– Train healthcare workers to recognize and manage signs of heat stress in pregnant individuals.
– Incorporate heat risk counseling into prenatal visits educating pregnant women about staying hydrated, avoiding peak sun hours, and recognizing warning signs.
– Adjust work schedules or recommend lighter workloads for pregnant workers during extreme heat.
3. Hydration and Nutrition Support
– Distribute oral rehydration solutions and clean drinking water in heat-prone areas.
– Ensure pregnant women have access to nutritious food that helps maintain energy and fluid balance during hot conditions.
4. Heat Early Warning Systems
– Develop and disseminate targeted alerts for pregnant populations through SMS, radio, or community networks when heatwaves are forecast.
– Pair warnings with clear guidance on how to reduce exposure and when to seek medical help.
5. Community Outreach and Education
– Launch campaigns in local languages about the risks of heat exposure during pregnancy and preventive measures.
– Involve community health workers and traditional birth attendants in spreading awareness, especially in rural or underserved areas.
6. Infrastructure and Housing Improvements
– Encourage heat-resilient housing designs with reflective roofs, better insulation, and cross-ventilation.
– Provide subsidies or support for households to access cooling appliances.
7. Policy and Workplace Protections
– Mandate rest breaks and cooling accommodations for pregnant workers in outdoor or high-heat occupations.
– Incorporate maternal health considerations into national climate adaptation and occupational health policies.
8. Data and Monitoring
– Improve data collection on pregnancy outcomes during heat events to refine interventions.
– Monitor and map heat-vulnerable populations to better target support and resources.
By combining these measures especially in regions with limited healthcare access governments and health systems can reduce the growing burden of heat-related pregnancy risks in a warming world.