Midwives’ preparedness for climate change impacts on maternal and child health: A scoping review

The world is facing a climate crisis. Anthropogenic activities are driving prolonged heatwaves and drier conditions causing bushfires, which are posing significant challenges to public health due to heightened levels of air pollution. One of the most vulnerable populations experiencing exposure to these environmental hazards are pregnant women. Research has consistently shown that exposure to these conditions can lead to severe health outcomes such as preterm births, low birth weights, and stillbirths. For instance, Bekkar et al. (2020) found a 16 % increase in preterm births during heatwaves, which they defined as periods when temperatures exceed the 90th percentile for at least two consecutive days. This finding is a significant concern, as preterm births are associated with increased risks of infant mortality and long-term developmental disabilities.