WHO Launches Global Framework to Monitor Extreme Heat Risks for Pregnant Women, Newborns and Children

The World Health Organization (WHO), together with international partners, has introduced the first global set of priority indicators to help countries monitor the health impacts of extreme heat on pregnant women, newborns and children, as rising temperatures create growing public health challenges worldwide.

The World Health Organization (WHO), World Meteorological Organization (WMO), UNICEF, and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have jointly launched a new global framework designed to strengthen the monitoring of extreme heat-related health risks among vulnerable populations.

The initiative introduces a set of priority indicators to help national health systems identify potential health impacts, improve preparedness, and respond more effectively to heat-related threats.

Extreme Heat Raises Health Risks During Pregnancy and Childhood

As global temperatures continue to rise, scientific evidence increasingly links extreme heat exposure with adverse health outcomes during pregnancy and early childhood.

Research cited by WHO indicates that exposure to extreme heat is associated with a 26% increase in the odds of preterm birth.

Newborns and young children are also experiencing greater exposure to extreme temperatures.

According to the report:

• 26% higher odds of preterm birth are associated with extreme heat exposure.

• 389% more heatwave days were experienced by babies under one year of age in 2024 compared with the 1986–2005 baseline.

• 1.5 billion children worldwide are estimated to be exposed to heatwaves that are becoming more frequent, longer or more severe.

These findings highlight the growing importance of addressing climate-related health risks in maternal, newborn and child healthcare.

New Global Indicators to Strengthen Heat-Health Monitoring

The framework recommends that countries monitor several key health indicators alongside temperature and heat-exposure data.

These include:

1. Preterm Births: Monitoring potential associations between extreme heat exposure and premature delivery.

2. Stillbirths: Tracking changes in pregnancy outcomes during periods of extreme heat.

3. Low Birthweight: Identifying potential heat-related risks affecting newborn health.

4. Hypertension During Pregnancy: Monitoring pregnancy-related high blood pressure alongside heat exposure.

5. Child Mortality: Tracking child deaths during extreme heat events.

6. Healthcare Facility Visits: Identifying changes in demand for medical services during heatwaves.

7. School Attendance: Assessing how extreme heat disrupts children's education and daily activities.

By combining routine healthcare information with environmental data, such as air temperature, health authorities can identify unusual patterns that may warrant further investigation.

WHO Calls for Stronger Healthcare Preparedness

WHO emphasized that healthcare systems need reliable information to recognize and respond to the growing health consequences of extreme heat.

Bruce Gordon, Acting Director of WHO's Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration, highlighted the importance of incorporating climate-related risks into routine healthcare services.

Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO's Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, also emphasized that monitoring health outcomes alongside heat exposure can help countries identify potential risks and protect vulnerable populations.

The new framework is intended to support healthcare authorities in preparing medical facilities, strengthening public health warnings, and identifying communities at greater risk.

Protecting Vulnerable Populations in a Warming World

WHO is urging countries to develop and implement heat-health action plans that reflect local conditions and the needs of pregnant women, newborns and children.

Recommended priorities include strengthening early warning systems, improving health surveillance, preparing healthcare facilities for increased demand, and ensuring timely responses when extreme heat risks emerge.

As extreme heat becomes an increasingly significant public health concern, WHO's new framework provides countries with a practical approach to identifying potential health impacts and strengthening preventive action.

The initiative highlights the importance of integrating climate resilience into maternal and child healthcare to reduce preventable harm and protect vulnerable populations worldwide.

 

Source: World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with WMO, UNICEF and UNFPA — New Global Framework Launched to Track Increasing Health Risks of Extreme Heat for Pregnant Women, Newborns and Children.