The connection between climate change and perinatal mental health
Climate change and extreme weather events are particularly concerning for pregnant and postpartum women and have been related to negative birth outcomes. However, the impact of climate change on perinatal mental health outcomes is not well studied. Mood and anxiety disorders are among the leading co...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1515895/full |
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| author | Jennifer L. Barkin Jennifer L. Barkin Sanne van Rhijn Sanne van Rhijn Chloe M. Johnson |
| author_facet | Jennifer L. Barkin Jennifer L. Barkin Sanne van Rhijn Sanne van Rhijn Chloe M. Johnson |
| author_sort | Jennifer L. Barkin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Climate change and extreme weather events are particularly concerning for pregnant and postpartum women and have been related to negative birth outcomes. However, the impact of climate change on perinatal mental health outcomes is not well studied. Mood and anxiety disorders are among the leading comorbidities during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and they are associated with significant familial and societal burdens. It is crucial to include environmental factors in the risk profile of perinatal mental illness to optimize prevention and early intervention strategies. In the clinical experience of one of the authors, new mothers can feel particularly concerned about their baby’s physical health when faced with extreme heat or may present as agitated due to heat-related sleep deprivation. This is in line with qualitative research showing maternal worrying about a baby’s thermal dysregulation as one of the emerging themes. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, clinicians have a role in advocating for climate adaptation in healthcare settings. Climate inequalities need to be addressed alongside health and social inequalities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b4d04e28ad8a489c8450bcb77dadfed3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1664-0640 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-b4d04e28ad8a489c8450bcb77dadfed32025-01-21T08:36:46ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402025-01-011510.3389/fpsyt.2024.15158951515895The connection between climate change and perinatal mental healthJennifer L. Barkin0Jennifer L. Barkin1Sanne van Rhijn2Sanne van Rhijn3Chloe M. Johnson4Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, United StatesDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, United StatesPerinatal Mental Health Service, West London National Health Service Trust, London, United KingdomDepartment of Brain Sciences, Imperial College, London, United KingdomDepartment of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon, GA, United StatesClimate change and extreme weather events are particularly concerning for pregnant and postpartum women and have been related to negative birth outcomes. However, the impact of climate change on perinatal mental health outcomes is not well studied. Mood and anxiety disorders are among the leading comorbidities during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and they are associated with significant familial and societal burdens. It is crucial to include environmental factors in the risk profile of perinatal mental illness to optimize prevention and early intervention strategies. In the clinical experience of one of the authors, new mothers can feel particularly concerned about their baby’s physical health when faced with extreme heat or may present as agitated due to heat-related sleep deprivation. This is in line with qualitative research showing maternal worrying about a baby’s thermal dysregulation as one of the emerging themes. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent, clinicians have a role in advocating for climate adaptation in healthcare settings. Climate inequalities need to be addressed alongside health and social inequalities.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1515895/fullclimate changeperinatal mental healthextreme weathermaternal mental healthheatHurricane Helene |
| spellingShingle | Jennifer L. Barkin Jennifer L. Barkin Sanne van Rhijn Sanne van Rhijn Chloe M. Johnson The connection between climate change and perinatal mental health Frontiers in Psychiatry climate change perinatal mental health extreme weather maternal mental health heat Hurricane Helene |
| title | The connection between climate change and perinatal mental health |
| title_full | The connection between climate change and perinatal mental health |
| title_fullStr | The connection between climate change and perinatal mental health |
| title_full_unstemmed | The connection between climate change and perinatal mental health |
| title_short | The connection between climate change and perinatal mental health |
| title_sort | connection between climate change and perinatal mental health |
| topic | climate change perinatal mental health extreme weather maternal mental health heat Hurricane Helene |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1515895/full |
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