WHO launches framework to protect mothers and babies from extreme heat

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a framework with the first set of priority indicators to track extreme heat risks for pregnant women, newborns and children.

The indicators are intended to help countries monitor heat-related health impacts, improve preparedness and respond more quickly to rising temperatures.

The launch follows growing evidence linking extreme heat exposure to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including a 26 per cent increase in the odds of preterm birth.

Dr Pascale Allotey, director of WHO’s Department of Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, said: “Heat is already affecting our most vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, newborns and children.

“But what health systems do not count, they cannot respond to.

“By tracking outcomes such as preterm birth, child deaths and illnesses, and health-facility visits alongside heat exposure, countries can identify potential impacts and take action to protect women and children.”

WHO developed the framework with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), UNICEF and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The organisations say it will help health authorities monitor risks among populations particularly vulnerable to extreme heat.

Research cited in the announcement found that babies under one year of age experienced 389 per cent more days of heatwave exposure in 2024 compared with the 1986 to 2005 baseline period.

The figure refers to the increase in days of exposure to heatwaves, rather than an increase in temperature.

Globally, an estimated 1.5 billion children are exposed to heatwaves that are becoming more frequent, longer or more severe.

The framework recommends monitoring preterm births, stillbirths, low birthweight, pregnancy-related hypertension (high blood pressure), child deaths and visits to healthcare facilities during periods of extreme heat.

School attendance could also be tracked to identify disruption caused by high temperatures.

Combining routine health data with heat-exposure information, including air temperature, could help countries spot unusual changes in health outcomes.

These findings could prompt further investigation and help authorities decide where protective measures are needed.

The information could help health authorities prepare facilities for increased demand, strengthen warnings to pregnant women and families, identify higher-risk communities and improve heat-health planning.

Bruce Gordon, acting director of WHO’s Department of Environment, Climate Change, One Health and Migration, said rising temperatures were creating additional health risks for older people, pregnant women, newborns and children.

He called for greater use of data to guide protective measures and for climate risks to be incorporated into routine healthcare.