Abstract
Heat waves are one of the extreme phenomena of climate change associated with significant impacts on human health. Although their effect on children and the elderly has been studied, little attention has been paid to their impact on pregnant women. This research analyzes the effects of heat waves and urban heat islands on maternal and perinatal outcomes in the Metropolitan regions and Greater Concepción. A retrospective cohort of pregnant women from the northern area of the Metropolitan region and Greater Concepción are studied. Historical databases of climate variables from the Chilean Meteorological Directorate (DMC) for temperature, humidity, and wind speed are used. Three exposures considered are: (1) exceeding the maximum temperature threshold, (2) occurrence of heat waves, and (3) belonging to an urban heat island. The perinatal outcomes evaluated are stillbirth, abruptio placentae, and non-preeclamptic hypertensive gestational syndrome; this information is obtained from clinical records and delivery sheets of hospitals. Time series models, ground temperature models, and projections of the outcomes under different contextual thresholds are used. The findings of this study provide important information to understand the effects of climate change on maternal health. They will help inform policies and actions to protect pregnant women from the negative impacts of heat waves.
Presenters
Macarena Martínez órdenesAssistant Professor, Promoción de la Salud de la Mujer y el Recién Nacido, Universidad de Chile, Región Metropolitana de Santiago, Chile
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Human Impacts and Responsibility
KEYWORDS
Pregnancy, Adverse Outcomes, Childbirth, Temperature, Chile, UHI
