Climate Change in Clinical Practice

Abstract

Climate change has resulted in increased extreme weather events, including prolonged heat waves, extended wildfire regions and seasons, and more frequent hurricanes and flooding. These events create problems with access to health services, shelter, potable water, diminished air quality, and increased incidence of vector-borne disease that affect the health of pregnant women and families. Nurses caring for pregnant women must have the knowledge to identify and respond to climate change-related health risks. Nursing care related to heat, wildfires and wildfire smoke, hurricanes, and flooding must include accurate assessments and discharge planning that addresses women's health conditions within the context of environmental risks. The purpose of this article is to raise awareness of the clinical nursing care of pregnant women related to heat, wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding in the era of climate change.

Keywords: climate change; flooding; hot temperature; hurricanes; nursing practice; pregnancy; wildfires.