This finding comes in a year when 33 countries recorded their hottest July on record, underscoring the growing threat that extreme heat poses to health systems and communities globally.
Extreme heat has been exerting growing pressure on pregnant women, babies and maternity services across the world, a new survey ahead of COP31 has said.
Nearly all respondents had personally cared for a pregnant woman (98 per cent) or baby (99 per cent) whose health they believed had been adversely affected by extreme heat, the study said
Pregnant and postpartum women face particular risks from extreme heat. Research has linked heat exposure with preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth and maternal complications. The study commissioned by the global charitable foundation, Wellcome, said that 73 per cent of maternal healthcare professionals reported an increase in heat-related cases or complications linked to extreme heat affecting pregnant women. At least 76 per cent reported an increase affecting foetal or newborn health in the last five years, the study said. Nearly all respondents had personally cared for a pregnant woman (98 per cent) or baby (99 per cent) whose health they believed had been adversely affected by extreme heat, the study said. Around a quarter of respondents (23 per cent) had seen pregnancy complications requiring additional monitoring or treatment that they believed were linked to extreme heat exposure.
