UNICEF warns of heat stress for children and pregnant women
High temperatures pose a significant threat, especially to children and pregnant individuals, according to UNICEF. Globally, one in five children lives in a region that experiences at least twice as many extremely hot days per year as it did 60 years ago. This is the finding of an analysis by the UN children's agency.
Boys and girls in African countries, particularly Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Sudan, are the most affected. There, 123 million young people experience temperatures above 35°C for an average of one-third of the year. Many children in Latin America and the Caribbean also suffer from increasing heat.
UNICEF warns that extreme temperatures increase the risk of heatstroke and sunstroke, and there is evidence of neurological consequences and impacts on mental health. UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell highlighted the dangers to children: "Young bodies heat up faster and cool down slower." Babies, for instance, are particularly sensitive to high temperatures due to their faster heart rate.
Pregnant women are also at risk. Excessive heat is linked to complications in pregnancy and can lead to premature or stillbirths.
The increasing number of extremely hot days is a concern for degree attainment in thermally vulnerable regions, as higher temperatures may impact students' concentration and performance in school. Furthermore, nurses and midwives require specialized training to manage pregnancy complications exacerbated by the rising degree of temperature, ensuring the best health outcomes for expectant mothers.
