Pregnant Women, Babies Suffer Health Consequences of Climate Change: UN

Climate change possess serious health threats to the pregnant women, small babies and other vulnerable groups, stated the United Nations (UN). Despite many leaders denying the existence of climate change and global warming, its effects are visible in the environment across the globe. This year, India saw extreme heat waves in some regions with incessant rains in other areas. Apart from affecting the physical and economical presence of humans and livelihood, the climate change has now been said to impact the heath of vulnerable groups who are exposed to the calamities.

The UN agencies, with this concern, has released a Call for Action. The call comes ahead of the global Conference of the Parties (COP28) negotiations on climate change in Dubai.

“Climate change poses an existential threat to all of us, but pregnant women, babies and children face some of the gravest consequences of all. Children's futures need to be consciously protected, which means taking climate action now for the sake of their health and survival, while ensuring their unique needs are recognized in the climate response,” said Bruce Aylward, Assistant Director General for Universal Health Coverage.

2023 has seen a vast change in the climatic conditions across the globe, followed by natural disasters. While many parts of the world are still trying to come in terms with the loss of health infrastructure that happened during the COVID-19 pandemic, this new health threat presents another risk. 

According to research, health harm can begin to children even in the womb of their mother, which in turn could create pregnancy-related complications.