WHO: warn of risks of climate change for the health of pregnant women, children and the elderly

The high temperaturesdroughts and other effects derived from climate change have “serious repercussions” on the mental and physical health of pregnant women, children and the elderly population, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned this Friday.

These groups are “especially exposed” to the effects of climate change, the expert from the WHO in Maternal Health, Newborns, Children, Adolescents and the Elderly, Anayda Portela, who called for greater investment to protect these populations.

Several studies published this week by the UN health agency provide alarming data on the impact of high temperatures and the atmospheric pollution in pregnant women, such as a greater probability of suffering premature birth, as well as other negative impacts on the brain and lung development of the fetus.

Furthermore, the temperatures Unusually high levels would also be associated with hypertension and gestational diabetes in pregnancy.

With regard to the child population, the expert from the WHO warned that each additional degree Celsius of daily minimum temperature above 23.9°C increases the risk of infant mortality by up to 22.4%.

Furthermore, the extreme heat It also seriously affects the elderly population, who are more likely to suffer heart attacks or breathing problems during heat waves.

Other effects of climate change, such as drought in Somalia or severe floods in Pakistan or Brazil, also reduce access to drinking water and food supplies, causing an increase in diarrheal diseases and malnutrition in the most vulnerable groups. .

Given this situation, the expert of the WHO urged governments to promote specific measures that protect health at different stages of life, as well as guarantee that health and care services are prepared to meet the needs of the people most exposed to the climate disasters.