Science

                                   How Climate Change Affects Women and Children's Health?

Introduction

Worldwide, the effects of climate change are upsetting people's lives and economies. Twenty million of the estimated 26 million displaced people are women, indicating that women and girls suffer a disproportionate share of the effects of climate-related disasters and environmental stress. Their Lack of power eventually robs them of control over their fertility and lives, making them more vulnerable to the effects of climate change (Climatejustice.org).

Women are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and bear a disproportionate amount of the weight, especially in terms of their health, according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Climate change, therefore, increases the probability of gender-based health inequities. As stated by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the World Health Organization (WHO), women are more vulnerable because of biological, political, and cultural factors. Regionally, poverty exacerbates the health vulnerabilities of women; according to the World Health Organization, 1.3 billion people—70% of whom are women—live below the poverty line in low- and middle-income nations.

Children under the age of five account for one in five deaths worldwide each year (WHO). Lower respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, and malaria are the main causes of childhood fatalities; these conditions could get worse as a result of climate change. Variations in temperature and precipitation patterns are factors that affect diarrheal illness, which is associated with environmental factors including contaminated food and water.

Malnutrition accounts for thirty-five percent of excess child mortality, and it is predicted that climate change will exacerbate this risk factor and increase food insecurity. Malnutrition's prevalent micronutrient deficits can increase the morbidity of infectious diseases (Perry E Sheffield, 2010).

Impact of Climate Change on Women's Health

Impact on Embryological Development

Pregnancies are at risk from mosquito-borne illnesses and extreme weather. Research has demonstrated a connection between unfavorable pregnancy outcomes and heat, ozone, and fine particulate matter. Wildfires become more intense due to climate change, which increases particle pollution, aggravating an already concerning issue. This change in the environment also increases by standing water, which serves as a breeding ground for mosquitoes that spread disease. Malaria, the Zika virus, dengue, and other mosquito-borne infections can cause birth abnormalities, miscarriages, early deliveries, low birth weights, and even death in mothers or infants.

Effects on Education and Child Marriage

Disasters that affect the climate have the potential to "threaten multiplier," which prevents girls from attending school. Droughts and floods reduce resources, which frequently forces girls out of school. According to a case study conducted in Botswana, 70% of adolescents who were pulled out of school during droughts were female. With child marriage providing income and cutting costs, it becomes a coping mechanism for families facing the effects of climate change.

Sexual Assault and Violence

Climate change-related natural disasters increase the likelihood of violence against women and girls. Conditions that make women and girls more vulnerable to violence include destitution, displacement, and a lack of law enforcement. There is an increase in sexual assault, sex trafficking, and violence following natural catastrophes like hurricanes, according to reports. Those in vulnerable groups, such as the homeless and the disabled, may be more vulnerable to sexual assault during calamities.

Nutritional Insecurity

Due to supply disruptions caused by climate change, women are disproportionately affected by food and water shortages. Low birth weight and gestational diabetes are two health problems that can result from food hardship during pregnancy. Women are mostly in charge of collecting water, and because of this, they devote a lot of time to it, which restricts their prospects for social mobility. The vulnerability of women to communicable diseases is further increased by their limited access to clean water for sanitation and hygiene needs.

 

Impacts on Mental Health and Pregnancy

Stress brought on by climate change impacts people of both sexes, but women are more likely to experience mental health problems. After extreme weather occurrences, women are more likely to experience sadness, emotional discomfort, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Premature birth, low birth weight, and preeclampsia are among the issues that are more likely to occur when a pregnant woman experiences stress. Understanding and resolving mental health effects is essential for general well-being.

Effects of Climate Change on Children's Health

Direct Effects

Heat Waves

There is a connection between childhood morbidity and mortality and changing weather patterns, which include extreme events like storms and heat waves. Heatwaves can cause heatstroke, electrolyte imbalance, kidney disease, respiratory infections, and an increased risk of mortality, especially in newborns. Flooding has a detrimental impact on a child's overall nutrition and increases the risk of infectious infections. It is also critical to take into account the possible long-term effects of these incidents on the physical and emotional health of children.

Droughts

Droughts affect children in rural areas by exacerbating infectious diseases, undernutrition, mental health problems, and basic water needs. Prolonged dry spells and wildfires they are the major causes of respiratory problems and mental health disorders. Children in these communities might also have trouble getting enough nourishment, which might have long-term negative effects on their health.

Indirect Effects

Effects of Change in the Pattern of Climatic Variables:

Indirect effects of climate change include air pollution, aeroallergens, ecosystem disruption, and altered vector patterns. It is anticipated that the distribution of disease-carrying vectors will shift, as will the transmission of infectious pathogens. As a result of burning fossil fuels, particulate matter air pollution hurts children's lung health, particularly for those who have asthma. To effectively implement public health initiatives for children in the face of climate change, it is imperative to identify and treat these indirect effects (Daniel Hellden, MD, 2021).

Conclusion

In conclusion, there is ample evidence of how climate change affects women's and children's health in a variety of ways. Climate change is having an impact on people's lives in a variety of ways, including the risks to pregnancies posed by extreme weather and diseases carried by mosquitoes, the difficulties females experience in school, and their greater susceptibility to violence. Insecurity over food and water, coupled with detrimental effects on mental well-being, emphasizes the extensive ramifications for women. Children's health is seriously threatened by the direct consequences of shifting weather patterns as well as the indirect effects on ecosystems and air quality.

Recommendations

1. Healthcare Strengthening:
• Invest in healthcare infrastructure for women and children in climate-vulnerable areas.
2. Education and Awareness:
• Implement awareness programs on climate-related health risks, ensuring equal education access.
3. Disaster Preparedness:
• Develop gender-sensitive disaster plans for swift responses to emergencies.
4. Food Security Measures:
• Adopt sustainable agriculture and initiate food security programs targeting vulnerable groups.
5. Combat Child Marriage:
• Implement economic alternatives to reduce child marriage as a coping mechanism.
6. Economic Empowerment:
• Create economic opportunities for women in vulnerable regions to enhance resilience.
7. Legal Protections:
• Strengthen legal safeguards against gender-based violence during and after disasters.
8. Mental Health Support:
• Integrate mental health services into healthcare systems, focusing on pregnant women.
9. Sustainable Development:
• Advocate for sustainable development policies considering women and children's vulnerabilities.
10. Research and Data:
• Support research on climate change impacts, gender, and age disparities for evidence-based interventions.