Global health authorities, including the World Health Organization, World Meteorological Organization, UNICEF, and United Nations Population Fund, have established a set of key indicators to assess the impact of extreme heat on vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, newborns, and children. This initiative aims to enhance the ability of countries to prepare for, monitor, and respond to climate-related health threats. By collecting data on the effects of rising temperatures, the goal is to better understand the consequences for maternal and child health worldwide.
Assessing the Consequences
Research indicates that pregnant women exposed to extreme heat face a 26% increased risk of preterm birth. Moreover, infants under one year old experienced a significant rise in heatwave exposure, with a 389% increase in 2024 compared to the 1986-2005 baseline period. Approximately 1.5 billion children globally are affected by heatwaves, which are becoming more frequent, prolonged, or severe.
To effectively address the growing health risks associated with rising temperatures, health systems require accurate and reliable data. This data will enable authorities to take proactive measures, such as protecting individuals during heatwaves and integrating climate risks into regular health services. The new framework recommends monitoring specific health outcomes, including preterm births, stillbirths, low birthweight, pregnancy-related hypertension, child deaths, and health facility visits during periods of extreme heat. Additionally, analyzing school attendance records can reveal the disruption caused by high temperatures on children’s daily lives.
By tracking health outcomes in conjunction with heat exposure, countries can identify potential consequences and implement measures to safeguard women and children. Combining health records with temperature data can also facilitate the detection of unusual patterns during extreme heat, enabling authorities to investigate potential links and respond accordingly.
According to Bruce Gordon, Acting Director of WHO’s Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration, “these findings can guide health authorities in preparing facilities for increased demand, issuing heat warnings to pregnant women and families, identifying the most exposed communities and improving heat-health planning.” The WHO is urging countries to utilize the new indicators to identify risks, target protective measures, and develop heat-health action plans tailored to local conditions, taking into account the needs of pregnant women, newborns, and children, and improving early warning systems to trigger timely responses when heat risks arise.
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