By The PPH Foundation

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a silent driver of maternal health risks, particularly anaemia in pregnancy, which directly increases the likelihood of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH). Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and extreme weather events are disrupting food production and reducing the availability of iron-rich foods, leaving many pregnant women nutritionally deficient. In regions where subsistence farming is the main source of food, climate-induced crop failures can lead to chronic malnutrition, a leading cause of anaemia among expectant mothers.

Anaemia during pregnancy reduces the body’s capacity to cope with blood loss during childbirth. Women with severe anaemia are significantly more vulnerable to PPH, the leading cause of maternal mortality globally. Prof Moses Obimbo, Project Lead at the PPH Foundation, explains that “addressing maternal anaemia is no longer just a medical concern. It is increasingly tied to environmental and societal factors that determine access to nutritious food and healthcare.”

Moreover, climate change exacerbates infectious diseases such as malaria and hookworm infestations, both of which can worsen anaemia. This dual burden; nutritional deficiency and infection, creates a perfect storm for maternal complications, including severe bleeding after delivery. Prof Julius Ogeng’o, a Co-Lead of the End PPH Initiative, notes that “climate change indirectly amplifies the risk of postpartum haemorrhage, highlighting the need for integrated approaches that combine maternal health, nutrition, and environmental resilience.”

Addressing this emerging challenge requires multi-sectoral action. Governments and health organizations must prioritize nutritional interventions for pregnant women, strengthen malaria and infection control, and support climate-resilient agriculture to ensure consistent access to iron-rich foods. By acknowledging the link between climate change, anaemia, and PPH, stakeholders can develop proactive strategies that protect both mothers and newborns from preventable deaths.

In the era of climate uncertainty, maternal health programs must evolve to incorporate environmental considerations, ensuring that the fight against postpartum haemorrhage is resilient to the broader challenges of a changing planet.

Sources

• World Health Organization, Maternal Anaemia Factsheet
• United Nations, Climate Change and Health Reports
• PPH Foundation, Expert Interviews
• <a href="https://www.freepik.com/free-ai-image/portrait-woman-representing-motherhood_273818636.htm">Image by freepik</a>