Study Says Pregnant Women in India At Risk Due To Climate Change

According to a new study backed by the Women & Child Development Ministry, climate change has dire consequences for pregnant women and their unborn children. Rise in temperature is seen to increase the risk of preterm delivery, gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia. The study underlines the targeted interventions needed to mitigate these effects.

Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani launched this report and said climate change and its impact are not a standalone crisis. She also emphasised the importance of this report as this was the first of its kind report highlighting the vulnerability of pregnant women to the adverse effects of prolonged heat exposure. To address the dire health consequences the report also came up with a set of recommendations and strategies to strengthen health infrastructure to protect pregnant women and children from heat-related illnesses.