Nadia Nawaz
In a concerning revelation, a recent report sheds light on the glaring omission of maternal and child health in many countries’ climate change response plans. This omission underscores the insufficient attention given to the vulnerable populations of women, newborns, and children in the ongoing climate change discourse. According to Bruce Aylward of the World Health Organization, while climate change threatens all of humanity, pregnant women, infants, and children face some of the most severe consequences.
A Growing Crisis: From Womb to Adulthood, Climate Change’s Impact Unveiled
The year 2023 has been marred by catastrophic climate disasters, ranging from wildfires and floods to heatwaves and droughts. These disasters displace entire populations, devastate crops and livestock, and escalate air pollution. Shockingly, research indicates that the harm inflicted by climate change begins in the womb, leading to pregnancy-related complications, preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth. For children, these consequences can have enduring effects on their body and brain development.
As a response to these escalating risks, the Call for Action has outlined seven urgent measures. These include sustained reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, decisive climate finance actions, and a specific focus on addressing the unique needs of pregnant women, babies, and children in policy-making. A pivotal moment awaits during COP28 as the first-ever Day of Health will be observed, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human health and the health of the planet.