Climate change as a threat multiplier to environmental reproductive justice

Weaver, E. B., Gad, L., & Zota, A. R. (2023). “Climate change as a threat multiplier to environmental reproductive justice.” Seminars in Perinatology, 151843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semperi.2023.151843

Abstract

Legacies of racial capitalism and colonialism drive present day racial disparities in perinatal health outcomes. Climate change amplifies existing social inequalities associated with environmental exposures and reproductive health, of which BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) communities bear a disproportionate burden. Through case studies, this article summarizes three examples of climate justice issues with reproductive healthcare outcomes: traffic related air pollution exposure, chemical exposures in personal care products and plastics, and natural disaster frequency. We advocate for incorporation of climate justice and environmental health impact into medical school curriculum, increased prenatal screening for environmental toxins, and physician engagement with local environmental issues.