WHO Launches Heat-Health Framework to Protect Pregnant Women and Children

Health update · 23 October 2026
Source announcement: 21 October 2026

Illustrative healthcare consultation — Illustrative image from the Nexus Laboratories site library; it does not depict the WHO announcement or a heat-related diagnosis.

Better data to protect families during extreme heat

WHO, WMO, UNICEF and UNFPA have launched a framework to help countries monitor how extreme heat affects pregnant women, newborns and children. The initiative connects heat-exposure information with routine health records so authorities can recognise risks and respond sooner.

What will countries monitor?

The recommended indicators cover outcomes such as preterm birth, stillbirth, low birthweight, pregnancy hypertension, child deaths and healthcare visits during extreme heat. School attendance can also reveal disruption to children’s lives.

The framework is intended to support heat warnings, service planning and protection for communities facing the greatest risk. WHO is also calling for heat-health action plans that reflect local conditions.