Extreme Heat Poses Increasing Health Risks for Pregnant Women and Newborns, UN Climate Chief Warns

October 6, Suva (Fiji) (RAS/AFP) – The frequent occurrence of extreme heat due to climate change has significantly increased health risks for pregnant women and newborns, warned Simon Stiell, the United Nations climate chief. Speaking ahead of the upcoming Pre-COP summit in Suva, Fiji, he highlighted rising incidents of premature births, stillbirths, low birth weights, and maternal complications linked to extreme heat.

Referring to a recent global survey of health workers across five continents, Stiell revealed that in the past five years, more than two-thirds of healthcare professionals have observed pregnancy and newborn complications related to extreme heat. The Wellcome Foundation conducted this survey involving 1,000 maternity healthcare workers and doctors from the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Brazil, and Zimbabwe, with almost all respondents reporting treatment cases for mothers or babies affected by heat-related issues.

Julia Gillard, Chair of the Foundation and former Prime Minister of Australia, emphasized that climate change is increasing dangers for mothers and infants. She described extreme heat as an “invisible killer” and stressed that with available evidence and solutions, leaders must act immediately to address the crisis. Scientists have signaled that climate change continues to drive new records in extreme weather and temperature levels. AFP reports that this year, approximately 33 countries from Western Europe to the Sahel region and Central America experienced their highest-ever July temperatures.

The ongoing Pre-COP 31 meeting in Fiji and the Tuvalu talks are seen by Pacific regional leaders as vital opportunities to bring the concerns of climate-affected communities to the global arena. These meetings serve as preparation for the UN Climate Conference COP-31 scheduled to take place in Turkey next month.