Overview
- Climate Central's study shows 90% of 247 regions worldwide have experienced at least a twofold increase in pregnancy heat-risk days due to human-induced warming.
- In Germany, the average annual number of dangerous heat days for pregnant women has risen from 10 to 22 since 2020, with urban centers like Berlin and Munich seeing significant increases.
- Nearly one-third of the studied regions globally now endure an additional month of extreme heat days annually, exacerbating health risks for pregnant women.
- Extreme heat during pregnancy is linked to higher risks of preterm birth, hypertension, and gestational diabetes, according to the WHO and related research.
- Health experts are calling for climate-resilient healthcare systems, emphasizing the need for better-equipped hospitals, trained staff, and public measures to mitigate heat-related complications.