Women's mental health and climate change Part II: Socioeconomic stresses of climate change and eco‐anxiety for women and their children

Abstract

Climate change is a significant public health crisis that is both rooted in pre-existing inequitable socioeconomic and racial systems and will further worsen these social injustices. In the face of acute and slow-moving natural disasters, women, and particularly women of color, will be more susceptible to gender-based violence, displacement, and other socioeconomic stressors, all of which have adverse mental health outcomes. Among the social consequences of climate change, eco-anxiety resulting from these negative impacts is also increasingly a significant factor in family planning and reproductive justice, as well as disruptions of the feminine connection to nature that numerous cultures historically and currently honor. This narrative review will discuss these sociologic factors and also touch on ways that practitioners can become involved in climate-related advocacy for the physical and mental well-being of their patients.

Climate and environmental changes exacerbate health disparities in pregnant people and their offspring. How can we protect women and their babies?

“…Across the world, women are more likely to suffer from mental illness following extreme weather events (Cruz et al, 2020). Mental health professionals use the term eco-anxiety to refer to the stress and grief many feel about the climate and environmental crisis (Rothschild & Haase, 2023). Women tend to be more susceptible to the development of eco-anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorders associated with CEC than men (Heeren et al, 2022).…”

Code OB: We need urgent action on climate change and toxic chemicals

“…Climate‐related exposures can also increase risks of cancer 8 . Additionally, climate change‐induced ecological events, including drought and floods, will lead to greater displacement and violence, disproportionately affecting women's mental health, physical safety, and overall well‐being 9–11 . This also includes an increase in armed conflict over scarcer resources and displacement that will unequally burden women 12 …”

High temperatures on mental health: Recognizing the association and the need for proactive strategies—A perspective

“…In addition, a study by Hu et al found that suicide rates rose by 1% for each 1°C increase on average monthly temperature 32 . Yet another study found that deviations from moderate temperatures and precipitation patterns systematically increase the risk of conflict, whether interpersonal, such as rape and domestic violence, or intergroup, like civil wars 33,34 . These studies serve to emphasize the importance of acknowledging and addressing the effect of heat on mental health.…”

“… 32 Yet another study found that deviations from moderate temperatures and precipitation patterns systematically increase the risk of conflict, whether interpersonal, such as rape and domestic violence, or intergroup, like civil wars. 33 , 34 These studies serve to emphasize the importance of acknowledging and addressing the effect of heat on mental health. With global temperatures projected to continue rising due to climate change, the relevance and urgency of this topic have become more important.…”