As scientists study how climate change is affecting human health, pregnant people and their unborn babies are emerging as a vulnerable group.
, researchers found a heightened risk of problems such as early delivery and mental illness. The latter peaked about eight months after the hurricane. In the aftermath of community disasters, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety can develop.Natural disasters trigger a cascade of health consequences, DeNicola said.
Pandipati said he warns patients to watch out for heat waves and to keep an eye on the air quality index, too. Basu, the epidemiologist, has advocated for pregnant people to be included in heat advisories. “There are still a lot of heat advisories that don’t include pregnant women, but include other groups, such as the elderly,” she said. Many heat advisories also mention children, people with illnesses, even pets, but not pregnant people.A few pregnant patients have asked DeNicola about environmental concerns, but that small number is increasing, he said.
When DeNicola speaks to health-care professionals, he often mentions “a really strong natural experiment,” he said.