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WHO and UN partners launch first indicators to track extreme heat's toll on mothers and children
In brief
The World Health Organization (WHO), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), UNICEF and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) on October 21, 2026, launched the first-ever set of priority indicators to help countries measure how extreme heat affects the health of pregnant women, newborns and children.
Why the agencies say tracking is needed
The WHO says research links extreme heat exposure to a 26% increase in the odds of preterm birth. Babies under one year old experienced 389% more heatwave days in 2024 than in the 1986 to 2005 baseline period, and an estimated 1.5 billion children worldwide are exposed to heatwaves that are becoming more frequent, longer or more intense.
What countries are asked to monitor
The new report recommends that health systems track preterm births, stillbirths, low birthweight, high blood pressure in pregnancy, child deaths and visits to health facilities during periods of extreme heat, and look at school attendance to see how heat disrupts children's lives. Matching this routine health data with temperature records can reveal unusual spikes, helping authorities prepare clinics for more patients, warn pregnant women and families earlier and focus on the communities most at risk. "What health systems do not count, they cannot respond to," said Dr Pascale Allotey, director of the WHO department that covers maternal, child and adolescent health. The WHO is also urging every country to adopt heat-health action plans with early warning systems.
VSH take: heat often feels like a summer nuisance, but these numbers show why doctors treat it as a real health risk, especially for babies. On hot days, check the 7-day forecast before planning outings, keep water close (our water intake calculator gives a starting point for adults), and read our explainer on heat warnings. Travelling somewhere hot? Plan cooler-season dates on our travel page.
This is our own summary of a WHO news release, not medical advice. Pregnant women and parents should follow local health guidance and talk to a doctor. ViralScopeHub is not affiliated with WHO, WMO, UNICEF or UNFPA.
Why it matters
Better data on how heat harms pregnant women, newborns and children can help countries issue earlier warnings and protect the people least able to cope with heatwaves.
People also ask
Who launched the new heat-health indicators?
WHO, the World Meteorological Organization, UNICEF and the UN Population Fund, on October 21, 2026.
How does extreme heat affect pregnancy?
WHO says studies link extreme heat exposure to a 26% increase in the odds of preterm birth.
What should countries track?
Preterm births, stillbirths, low birthweight, pregnancy hypertension, child deaths, health-facility visits during extreme heat, and school attendance.
Related free tools: Water Intake Calculator
Sources
Every ViralScopeHub news item is an original summary written in our own words. We link to the original reporting so you can read the full story from the publisher.
