Climate change affects human health broadly and is leading to poor population health outcomes in a number of areas. Among pregnant people specifically, it can contribute to greater risk of health complications. Certain populations are more likely to be exposed to the adverse environmental impacts of climate change, which further amplifies existing health inequities in the United States, including in maternal health. Nurses who work in emergent, acute, and critical care settings must be prepared to care for individuals who are pregnant and experiencing medical emergencies as a result of exposure to extreme heat, air pollution, natural disasters, and infectious diseases that are direct consequences of climate change. To this end, nurses must be ready to recognize, treat, and manage pregnancy complications arising from climate-related conditions, as well as provide patient education on future mitigation strategies and advocacy to reduce its harms.
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Winter 2024
Symposium: Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability in Acute and Critical Care|
December 15 2024
Climate-Related Emergencies in Pregnancy
Kathryn Atkin, DNP, WHNP-BC, ANP-BC;
Kathryn Atkin, DNP, WHNP-BC, ANP-BC
Kathryn Atkin is Assistant Professor, Georgetown University School of Nursing, 3700 Reservoir Rd NW, Washington, DC 20057 ([email protected]).
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Katherine Simmonds, PhD, MPH, RN, WHNP-BC, FAAN
Katherine Simmonds, PhD, MPH, RN, WHNP-BC, FAAN
Katherine Simmonds is Clinical Professor and Associate Director of Health Programs, the Roux Institute, Northeastern University, Portland, Maine.
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AACN Adv Crit Care (2024) 35 (4): 343–352.
Citation
Kathryn Atkin, Katherine Simmonds; Climate-Related Emergencies in Pregnancy. AACN Adv Crit Care 15 December 2024; 35 (4): 343–352. doi: https://doi.org/10.4037/aacnacc2024688
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