As our earth is slowly heating up, a study has found that there is a correlation between global warming causing stillbirths. Those already living in warmer climates are at risk of being part of this unfortunate phenomenon.
Study
The World Health Organization (WHO) has seen that there are 15 million babies each year that are born premature. This is a leading cause of death among children under five. These children are usually in the areas that suffer from heatwaves, such as Africa and tropical regions of Asia.
These outcomes are closely linked to poverty, especially in the developing countries in the tropics, and will seemingly increase as the global warming continues.
The rising temperatures have an impact on us all.
Global Warming and Effects
In the last century we have seen the earth’s temperature rise 1C. The temperature rise has been even greater in land locked areas. This is enough to cause a considerable impact to the way of life those living in aforementioned areas.
According to the Bangkok Post, “To quantify the impact of higher heat on pregnancy outcomes, an international team of researchers led by Matthew Chersich from Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute in Johannesburg looked at 70 peer-reviewed studies of 27 rich, poor and middle-income nations.”
What can we do?
What does this mean?
It means that due to the temperature rising, there is now an increase in stillbirths at 5% per 1C of the temperature increase. This number was raised to 16% when heatwaves in these areas occur.
The researchers recognize that there are so many other factors, such as pollution, that also impacts the outcome of stillbirths and premature babies. The direct correlation between the rise in temperature and stillbirths is hard to pin down. But it seems that it is stillbirths are becoming an unfortunate side effect to the global warming phenomena.
The findings seen are enough to suggest that pregnant women, “merit a place alongside the groups typically considered as at ‘high risk’ for heat-related conditions.” It is a recommendation that high priority should be put on research and targeted health policies worldwide.
Does this mean that global warming are causing stillbirths?
Well, yes and no. The rise in temperature may not be causing stillbirths directly, that is true for now. But because the temperature is undeniably rising, these studies show that there really is an impact that is has on our bodies and lifestyles. It is because of this impact that directly affects pregnant women in places where the heat is already a norm.
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