In recent years, the alarming effects of climate change have become increasingly evident. Rising global temperatures, driven primarily by the excessive use of fossil fuels, have not only led to extreme weather events but also pose a serious threat to the health and well-being of pregnant women.

Research has shown that expectant mothers face heightened risks due to the impacts of climate change. One of the significant dangers comes from the increasing prevalence of mosquitoes and the diseases they carry. Mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile, Zika virus, and Oropouche virus have proven to be particularly dangerous for pregnant individuals, with some associated with stillbirths and birth defects.

With global temperatures on the rise, the mosquito season is becoming longer, amplifying the risk to vulnerable populations. The warming climate creates ideal conditions for mosquitoes to thrive, making them more abundant and increasing the likelihood of disease transmission. Unfortunately, this is just one aspect of the broader threat that extreme heat poses to pregnant individuals. The Association of American Medical Colleges has highlighted how climate change is linked to pregnancy complications, increased violence, and heightened exposure to pollution and heat.

While cases of mosquito-borne infections in pregnant individuals remain rare in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasize that West Nile, Zika, and Oropouche viruses all pose risks during pregnancy. West Nile, the leading cause of mosquito-borne diseases in the mainland U.S., can be transmitted to fetuses, albeit with low risk. On the other hand, Oropouche virus has been associated with stillbirths and birth defects.

Although Zika is known to cause certain birth defects, there have been no locally acquired cases of the virus in the U.S. since 2019. However, during the outbreaks in Latin America in 2015 and 2016, Zika proved to be a significant concern for pregnant women.

A study by Climate Central, a nonprofit organization, revealed that mosquitoes thrive in warm and humid weather conditions, which are becoming more common due to climate change. The study examined mosquito weather trends across 242 locations in the U.S. between 1979 and 2022, finding that the number of annual mosquito days increased by over two weeks in 173 of these areas. The areas most affected by mosquito populations were located in the South and Southeast regions.

The rise in mosquito populations also escalates the risk of disease transmission. While not all mosquito species carry diseases, increased mosquito bites could lead to a higher incidence of mosquito-borne infections, particularly if individuals travel to regions where mosquitoes carry diseases such as dengue and Oropouche.

Climate change's impact extends beyond mosquito-related risks for pregnant individuals. Heatwaves have been found to spike the incidence of preterm births, with each 1 degree Celsius increase in minimum daily temperature over 23.9 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) associated with a 22.4% rise in infant mortality. Furthermore, high temperatures and ambient air pollution, exacerbated by climate change, increase the likelihood of adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and fetal brain and lung development issues.

Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, also pose increased risks to pregnant individuals. These events can hinder access to medical care due to damaged infrastructure and unsafe travel conditions. Moreover, studies have shown that heat is linked to higher rates of violent crime, including homicides, which poses an additional danger to pregnant women.

The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change on pregnant individuals. Dr. Anshu Banerjee, the director of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing at WHO, highlights that climate change is already taking a toll on various populations, particularly pregnant women.

Comprehensive changes to climate, healthcare, and infrastructure policies are necessary to effectively tackle this issue. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stresses the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conduct further research on the impacts of climate change on women's health.

As the world grapples with the escalating effects of climate change, it is essential to prioritize the health and well-being of pregnant individuals. Immediate action is required to mitigate the risks posed by extreme heat, disease-carrying mosquitoes, and other climate-related factors. Safeguarding the health of pregnant individuals is crucial for ensuring the well-being of future generations.