The Effects of Climate Change on Obstetric and Gynecologic Health

Abstract

In the United States and globally, the negative effects of climate change, such as extremes of heat, wildfire smoke, and air pollution, are associated with early pregnancy loss, preterm birth, preeclampsia, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and stillbirth. Climate change amplifies existing gender-based disparities, which include elevated risks of infectious diseases, malnutrition, sexual violence, mental health disorders, lack of reproductive control, negative obstetric outcomes, and death, when compared with men. These adverse effects disproportionately affect marginalized groups. With the ongoing and increasing threats of climate change and environmental pollutants on human health, it is imperative that obstetrician–gynecologists (ob-gyns) educate not only themselves but students, other health care professionals, their patients, and communities about the adverse effects these threats have on gynecologic and obstetric health. Institutions should encourage the inclusion of climate change education in medical curricula. Ob-gyns should incorporate environmental health education into all prepregnancy counseling visits, with a focus on identifying any potential harmful exposures and determining what mitigation efforts can be initiated before pregnancy.