Abstract:

Climate change, which has been emphasized in recent years; is defined as the change in weather events such as temperature, precipitation, wind over decades. With climate change, determinants of health such as access to clean water, temperature, air quality, safe housing and food security are negatively affected, and human health is affected. Individuals in the risk group affected by this situation, especially pregnant women and newborns, constitute vulnerable and sensitive subgroups. It is noteworthy that studies on climate change and its effects on health have been carried out especially in recent years. This review, it is aimed to draw attention to the effects of climate change on maternal and newborn health. Among the studies examined, it was determined that there is a relationship between exposure to high temperatures and air pollution and gestational diabetes, hypertension, preterm birth, premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight, stillbirth and newborn sex and congenital anomalies. Nurses have important responsibilities in reducing the negative effects of climate change on health. Nurses should effectively use their roles such as educator, advocate, change agent, leadership, caring and supervisor to increase the resilience capacity of the society and the individual, to develop coping strategies and forward-looking behaviors, to develop policies for social support and green environment.

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