WHO Warns of Rising Heat Risks for Mothers and Children
WHO launches priority indicators to track heat's health impacts
The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a set of priority indicators to help countries track the health impacts of heat on pregnant women, newborns, and children.
Key Findings
- Exposure to extreme heat is associated with a 26% increase in preterm births.
- Babies under one year experienced 389% more heatwave days in 2024 compared to the 1986-2005 baseline.
- An estimated 1.5 billion children worldwide are exposed to increasingly frequent, longer, or more severe heatwaves.
The new framework aims to strengthen preparedness, improve monitoring, and accelerate response to protect vulnerable populations from climate-related health risks.
Source: KBC Digital. AI-assisted summary.
