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Climate Change-Related Environmental Exposures and Perinatal and Maternal Health Outcomes in the U.S

Author

Listed:
  • Ryne J. Veenema

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA)

  • Lori A. Hoepner

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Laura A. Geer

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Purpose: Climate change poses one of the greatest risks to human health as air pollution increases, surface temperatures rise, and extreme weather events become more frequent. Environmental exposures related to climate change have a disproportionate effect on pregnant women through influencing food and water security, civil conflicts, extreme weather events, and the spread of disease. Our research team sought to identify the current peer-reviewed research on the effects of climate change-related environmental exposures on perinatal and maternal health in the United States. Design and Methods: A systematic literature review of publications identified through a comprehensive search of the PubMed and Web of Science databases was conducted using a modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) approach. The initial search across both databases identified a combined total of 768 publications. We removed 126 duplicates and 1 quadruplet, and the remaining 639 publications were subjected to our pre-set inclusion and exclusion criteria. We excluded studies outside of the United States. A total of 39 studies met our inclusion criteria and were retained for thematic analysis. Findings: A total of 19 studies investigated the effect of either hot or cold temperature exposure on perinatal and maternal health outcomes. The effect of air pollution on perinatal outcomes was examined in five studies. A total of 19 studies evaluated the association between natural disasters (hurricanes, flash floods, and tropical cyclones) and perinatal and maternal health outcomes. High and low temperature extremes were found to negatively influence neonate and maternal health. Significant associations were found between air pollutant exposure and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Adverse pregnancy outcomes were linked to hurricanes, tropical cyclones, and flash floods. Conclusions: This systematic review suggests that climate change-related environmental exposures, including extreme temperatures, air pollution, and natural disasters, are significantly associated with adverse perinatal and maternal health outcomes across the United States.

Suggested Citation

  • Ryne J. Veenema & Lori A. Hoepner & Laura A. Geer, 2023. "Climate Change-Related Environmental Exposures and Perinatal and Maternal Health Outcomes in the U.S," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:1662-:d:1038187
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Gulcan Cil & Trudy Ann Cameron, 2017. "Potential Climate Change Health Risks from Increases in Heat Waves: Abnormal Birth Outcomes and Adverse Maternal Health Conditions," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(11), pages 2066-2079, November.
    3. Alan Barreca & Jessamyn Schaller, 2020. "The impact of high ambient temperatures on delivery timing and gestational lengths," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 77-82, January.
    4. Ke Pan & Leslie Beitsch & Elaina Gonsoroski & Samendra P. Sherchan & Christopher K. Uejio & Maureen Y. Lichtveld & Emily W. Harville, 2021. "Effects of Hurricane Michael on Access to Care for Pregnant Women and Associated Pregnancy Outcomes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-17, January.
    5. M. Luke Smith & Rachel R. Hardeman, 2020. "Association of Summer Heat Waves and the Probability of Preterm Birth in Minnesota: An Exploration of the Intersection of Race and Education," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-12, September.
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