May 2025 — A new analysis from Climate Central reveals that climate change has significantly increased the number of extremely hot days that pose risks to pregnant people around the world—particularly in the United States.
From 2020 to 2024, human-driven climate change has at least doubled the number of “pregnancy heat-risk days”—days when extreme heat is linked to an increased risk of preterm birth—in 222 countries, according to the report.
Impact in the United States
In the U.S. alone, climate change was responsible for 12 out of the 25 average pregnancy heat-risk days per year, accounting for nearly 48% of the total. This suggests that nearly half of the extreme heat days threatening maternal and fetal health in recent years were driven by global warming.
Notably, every U.S. state and the District of Columbia experienced at least an additional full week of pregnancy heat-risk days each year due to climate change during the last five years.
The Southwestern U.S. saw the most significant increases, with cities in states like Arizona, Nevada, and Texas facing the highest added exposure.
Broader Risks of Climate Change During Pregnancy
The report also emphasizes that heat is only part of the climate-related threat to pregnant people. Extreme weather events intensified by climate change—such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes—can compound health risks through:
- Air pollution, which is linked to pregnancy complications
- Flooding and infrastructure damage, which can disrupt access to prenatal care
- Increased stress, which may negatively affect maternal mental health and birth outcomes
Urgent Public Health Concern
Researchers and public health officials warn that as the planet continues to warm, climate-related pregnancy risks are expected to grow. Advocates call for urgent mitigation efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and emphasize the need for climate-resilient healthcare systems that can better protect vulnerable populations, including pregnant people.
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