Climate Change and Women’s Health:Observations from the Next Generation Healthcare Professionals

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Hijran Pirmammadova, a 20-year-old Azerbaijani medical student,born in Baku,Azerbaijan. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Climate change, known as long-term changes in weather and temperature patterns caused by human activity, is now considered a global public health emergency. But why does it affect women’s health more than men?

The answer lies in the fact that women are more vulnerable both biologically and socioeconomically. Despite this reality women remain disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change.

These impacts can be seen in multiple ways, as women in low-income countries often spend more time collecting scarce natural resources like water which limits hygiene and increases the risk of some diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, hepatitis A and E; at the same time extreme heat and air pollution  raise the risk of miscarriages, preterm birth which is also increases maternal mortality, chronic conditions like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases including bronchitis and asthma. Even in some places because of climate stress families use marriage as a way to reduce household burdens, which leads to early marriages, adolescent pregnancies and forces young women to take on responsibility of caring for children and elderly family members at an early age.  Because of that workload they may have less time for education and that creates perpetuative cycles of poverty and inequality.

Among all groups,pregnant women are especially vulnerable, climate change directly affects both maternal and fetal health. Reviews of systematic analysis show that a 1°C rise in temperature increases the risk of preterm birth by around 5%, whereas exposure to air pollution raises this risk by approximately 6%. These interconnected impacts not only affect women’s physical and reproductive health it also contribute to mental health challenges like stress, anxiety and etc.

Breaking this cycle demands concrete actions, future healthcare professionals can play an important role by increasing awareness and focusing more on prevention, especially for pregnant women. They should guide patients about climate-related risks such as extreme heat, air pollution, poor living conditions and explain in simple terms how these factors can affect pregnancy and overall health. Providing clear and understandable information, as well as basic educational materials in clinics, can help women better understand these risks and take steps to protect themselves.

This becomes even more important in low-income countries, where access to resources and healthcare is limited. In such settings, healthcare professionals can support basic but effective solutions, such as improving hygiene practices and providing access to affordable menstrual products like reusable pads. These not only help maintain hygiene but also contribute to reducing waste. In addition, raising awareness about clean water, sanitation and infection risks can significantly reduce the spread of diseases.

Beyond clinical care, empowering women through education is essential. When women are informed about their health risks and rights, they are more likely to make better decisions for themselves and their families. These actions are not optional but essential to reduce the unequal burden of climate change on women and to build a more equitable and healthier future.

About the author

Hijran Pirmammadova is 20-year-old Azerbaijani medical student,born in Baku,Azerbaijan. She is a third-year medical student at Azerbaijan Medical University, Faculty of General Medicine II (MPF II), and an active member of AzerMDS SCOME. She is passionate about surgery, particularly cardiothoracic surgery. At her university, she participates in the intellectual and art clubs, and she enjoys intellectual games, reading, films, theater and has a keen interest in the fine arts, reflecting her curiosity, creativity, and analytical thinking.