Climate Change and Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health: A Global Call to Action

Climate change is here and it’s actively harming the health of women, newborns, children, and adolescents (MNCAH) worldwide. Rising temperatures, extreme weather, and environmental degradation are increasing the risks of pregnancy complications, malnutrition, infectious diseases, and mental health disorders among vulnerable populations.  

According to a 2024 systematic review, climate hazards like extreme heat and air pollution raise the risk of preterm birth, stillbirth, and gestational diabetes by 12-47%. Meanwhile, UNICEF’s 2022 report highlights how floods, droughts, and displacement disrupt access to clean water, healthcare, and nutrition, threatening survival and development.  

Let’s further discuss how climate change exacerbates MNCAH outcomes and explore evidence-based solutions that can protect future generations.  

How Climate Change Harms Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health  

Climate change doesn’t just affect the environment; it directly endangers mothers and babies, threatens food security, and inhibits physical as well as mental health. 

1. Increased Pregnancy and Birth Complications 

– Extreme heat is linked to preterm birth, low birth weight, and stillbirth.  

– Air pollution from wildfires increases the risks of asthma, respiratory diseases, and developmental delays in children.  

– Flooding and droughts disrupt access to prenatal care, clean water, and nutrition, worsening maternal and infant mortality.  

2. Rising Infectious Diseases and Malnutrition  

– Vector-borne diseases (malaria, dengue) are spreading to new regions due to warmer temperatures.  

– Water scarcity and contaminated supplies increase diarrheal diseases, a leading cause of child deaths.  

– Crop failures from droughts contribute to child malnutrition and stunted growth, with lifelong consequences.  

3. Mental Health Crisis in Children and Adolescents

– Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is rising among children exposed to floods, hurricanes, and wildfires.  

– Climate anxiety affects 59% of youth globally, with many fearing an unlivable future.  

– Family displacement due to climate disasters disrupts caregiving stability, worsening mental health outcomes.  

Who Is Most Vulnerable? 

Climate change affects everyone. Yet, some groups face disproportionate risks, and the first step is raising awareness about this.   

• Pregnant women and newborns have a higher susceptibility to heat stress and infections.
• Children under 5 are vulnerable to malnutrition, disease, and developmental delays.
• Low-income and marginalized communities lack access to healthcare and disaster resilience.  
• Climate migrants and refugees face disrupted healthcare and increased poverty.  

Without intervention, the WHO and UNICEF warn that climate-related child deaths could rise by 200,000 every year by 2030.  As Debra Jackson, Professor of Global Maternal and Child Health, LSHTM, and member of the WFPHA Women, Children and Youth Working Group states, “We know women and children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Their future and lives depend on immediate action.”

Solutions: Protecting MNCAH in a Changing Climate  

Global climate responses must prioritize maternal and child health, and using better data can help.

1. Integrate MNCAH into Climate Policies  

– National climate adaptation plans should include MNCAH protections, such as heat-resilient prenatal care.  

– Reduce carbon emissions in healthcare (responsible for 4.4% of global greenhouse gases).  

– Fund climate-resilient hospitals with backup power, clean water, and emergency obstetric care.  

2. Strengthen Data and Research  

– Track climate-linked health outcomes with real-time monitoring systems.  

– Expand research in low-income countries, where data gaps are largest.  

– Educate communities and health workers on climate-related health risks.  

3. Multi-Sector Collaboration 

– Health and environmental policies must align (e.g., clean energy reduces air pollution).  

– Private sector investment in sustainable infrastructure and child health programs.  

– Grassroots advocacy to amplify the voices of women, youth, and Indigenous communities.  

We need unity across all sectors to combat this crisis. After all, there’s power in numbers. 

Call to Action: What Must Be Done Now  

The intersection of climate change and maternal-child health is one of the most significant public health challenges of our time. We must act now and demand climate justice for women and children.

• Governments: Pass laws protecting MNCAH in climate policies.  
• Healthcare Systems: Build low-carbon, disaster-ready clinics.  
• Researchers: Fill gaps in climate-health data, especially in vulnerable regions.  
• Communities: Advocate for local climate adaptation and health equity.  

By implementing evidence-based policies, resilient health systems, and global cooperation, we can safeguard the next generation.  

Read the official Policy Statement and Call to Action on Climate Change and Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health here.

Oral Health Working Group Chair Interview: Dr. Abiola Adeniyi

Oral health is often overlooked in public health discussions, yet it plays a critical role in overall well-being. To explore how oral health intersects with broader health systems, we spoke with Dr. Abiola Adeniyi, Chair of the Oral Health Working Group at the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA). With a background in dentistry, public health, and global health policy, Dr. Adeniyi shares her journey, the current initiatives of her working group, and her vision for a future where oral health is accessible to all.

Please introduce yourself. 

My name is Abiola Adeniyi, and I’m currently the chair of the Oral Health Working Group at the World Federation of Public Health. I am, by training, a public health dentist, and I work as an assistant professor in Global Health and Human Services at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Canada.

I began my undergraduate dental training at the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife in Nigeria, followed by a residency in dental public health at the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria. From there, I went on to pursue a Master’s in Public Health, first at the University of Lagos, and then followed that with another Master’s in Health Management, Policy, and Planning at the University of Leeds in the UK. Most recently, I completed a PhD in Population Oral Health Research at the University of British Columbia in Canada.

Over the years, my work has spanned clinical dentistry, advising on oral health policy, and teaching preventive dentistry and global health. What ties it all together is my passion for integrating oral health into broader healthcare systems and improving access to oral health care. That’s the perspective I bring to my work and education.

What motivated you to pursue a career in the public health space? 

For me, it started with a personal story. As a child, I spent a lot of time in the dental chair. Both my grandmother and my mother ran confectionery stores in Nigeria, so you can imagine I had plenty of access to non-refined sugars. My mom did her best to encourage good oral hygiene, but like many children, I didn’t always listen, and that meant I had frequent dental problems.

I was in and out of the dental clinic as a child. Those early experiences taught me something important: oral health isn’t just about teeth, it’s about overall well-being. I had sleepless nights from dental pain, and I learned (sometimes the hard way) how valuable prevention is.

When I began my dental training, I realized how common and preventable dental diseases were at a population level, and that was the turning point for me. I realized I wanted to do more than treat diseases one patient at a time. I wanted to focus more on prevention, reach a wider audience, and ensure fair access. So that’s what drew me into public health.

Even now, after my MPH and PhD, that original motivation has not changed. I aim to create environments where oral health is accessible, prioritized, and prevented, rather than just treated after problems occur.

How long have you been associated with the WFPHA? 

I have been part of the WFPHA for about three years now. I joined shortly after completing my PhD at UBC, and it has been an incredibly fulfilling journey. It has given me the chance to contribute to global advocacy, research, and collaborative action in the field of oral health. It has also given me the chance to connect with truly inspiring colleagues from all over the world.

Could you elaborate on your working group’s current activities and share your vision for the future?

Currently, our group is engaged in some truly exciting work.

1. Podcast Series on Oral Health & Systemic Conditions

We’re partnering with the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Working Group of the WFPHA on a podcast series that explores the connections between oral health and conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other NCDs. This broadens the conversation and shows how oral health is an integral part of public health.

2. Amplifying Patient & Community Voices

We believe lived experiences are crucial in shaping policies and designing effective solutions. We’re exploring how to listen better, engage more meaningfully, and measure the impact of our engagement.

3. Strengthening Civil Society’s Role in Advocacy

We’re planning an event around the upcoming UN General Assembly to explore how civil society organizations can drive the oral health agenda. These organizations are often the closest to the communities they serve, and their insights are crucial to achieving sustainable, people-centered change.

4. Digital Oral Health & Global Learning Models

We’re examining how technology can improve access, education, and care delivery, especially in underserved areas. We also have a casebook on school oral health programs. We are examining how different countries integrate oral health into their broader healthcare systems, so we can learn, adapt, and scale best practices.

5. WHO Global Coalition on Oral Health

The WHO has invited us to contribute to the Global Coalition on Oral Health, particularly in engaging people with lived experiences of oral diseases and NCDs. This is a great opportunity to bring together community insights, policy, and innovation, ensuring oral health isn’t an afterthought but is considered alongside other NCDs.

I’m looking forward to seeing how our group will serve as a catalyst, connecting sectors and amplifying the voices of oral health advocates.

How do the working group’s activities align with the WFPHA’s strategic plan?

Our work is closely aligned with the WFPHA’s priorities on disease prevention, health promotion, and inclusive public health leadership.

For example:

– We’ve developed policy resolutions, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

– We launched a Maternal and Child Oral Health Initiative, endorsed by over 50 public health organizations globally.

– We’ve produced tools on workforce development, school oral health programs, and digital resource evaluation.

– We’re providing feedback on the WHO Global Oral Health Strategy.

All of this reflects the Federation’s broader goals: strengthening health systems, elevating underrepresented voices, and fostering cross-sector collaboration.

How has being part of the WFPHA enhanced the reach and impact of your working group? 

Being part of the WFPHA has expanded our reach and credibility. Through its network, we’ve:

– Collaborated with other working groups on meaningful initiatives.

– Published in high-impact journals and presented at international conferences.

– Developed the Global Maternal and Child Oral Health Initiative through multi-continent partnerships.

– Created the School Oral Health Casebook, featuring models from six WHO regions.

The Federation gives us a platform to frame oral health as part of universal health coverage, social justice, and NCD prevention, bringing it into spaces where it’s often overlooked.

How does your working group plan to engage communities in oral health initiatives?

Our focus is on advocacy and policy, but we see a gap in global data on the lived experiences of oral diseases. One idea we’re exploring is systematically gathering and sharing these voices through the WFPHA network, whether through surveys or calls for testimony.

We can then incorporate these insights into policy briefs, advocacy campaigns, and global statements, ensuring that perspectives often overlooked in high-level discussions are heard.

What unique opportunities has the WFPHA provided your working group?

The WFPHA has opened doors for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and high-level engagement. For instance:

– We co-developed the School-Based Oral Health Casebook, featuring eight international models.

– We conducted a global workforce survey, leading to policy-relevant findings.

– Our podcast series highlights oral health’s connection to broader health systems, featuring experts worldwide.

These opportunities help make oral health visible, relevant, and prioritized among policymakers.

Any final thoughts? 

I’m incredibly grateful to chair this wonderful working group. The foundation laid by my predecessors, combined with the dynamic and globally diverse team we have now, makes this work possible.

We’re entering a new chapter where oral health is increasingly recognized as essential to public health. We’re excited to collaborate with new partners, welcome emerging voices, and work toward a world where oral health is seen as a right, not a privilege.

Final Takeaways 

Dr. Abiola Adeniyi’s work highlights the crucial role of oral health in public health, encompassing policy, prevention, technology, and community engagement. Her vision for equitable access and systemic integration serves as a powerful reminder: oral health goes beyond teeth. It’s about dignity, well-being, and justice.

 

Working Group Members:

Aarthi Shanmugavel, BDS, MPH, Manager, PhD Candidate, American Dental Association, USA.

Cleopatra Matanhire-Zihanzu, BDS, MPH, PhD Candidate, University of Zimbabwe Department of Oral Health, Zimbabwe.

Dorjan Hysi, DDS, MSc, PhD, Associate Professor, University of Medicine Tirana, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Albania.

Gloria Ha Young Ahn DDS, Intern, WFPHA, USA.

Hyewon Lee (Chair,) DrPH, DMD, Director,  the Seoul National University Global Maternal and Child Oral Health Center,  South Korea.

Irene Adyatmaka, DDS, PhD, Senior Lecturer, the Maranatha Christian University, Faculty of Dentistry, Indonesia.

Woo Jung Yang, DDS, Endodontist,  Seoul Leaders Dental Clinic, South Korea.

Jemima Khabiso Ramphoma BChD, MChD Dental Public Health, Senior Lecturer, the University of the Western Cape, Department of Community Dentistry, South Africa.

Kenneth Eaton, MSc, PhD, Chair of the Platform for Better Oral Health in Europe, The Council of European Chief Dental Officers, UK.

Kiran P. Nagdeo (Vice-chair) BDS, MPH, PhD Candidate,  Department of Epidemiology, NYU School of Global Public Health, USA.

Leonie Short, MHP, Director, Seniors Dental Care, Australia, Australia.

Lynn Bethel Short, RDH, MHP, Communications Director, American Fluoridation Institute, USA.

Myron Allukian Jr., DDS, MPH, Former APHA President, American Public Health Association, USA.

Pascaline Kengne Talla, PhD, Professor, McGill University, Canada.

Puneet Gupta, MDS, Associate Professor, the Government College of Dentistry, Indore, India.

Rachel Martin, BDSc, MPH, Director, the Network for the Integration of Oral Health, Australia.

Rahimah Abdul-Kadir, DrPH, DDS, Professor, the University Malaya Center for Addiction Sciences, Malaysia.

Ramprasad Vasthare, MDS, FAIMER fellow, Professor, the Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal, India.

Seema Lal-Kumar, BDS, MSc Paed, Dental Specialist, Te Marae Ora, Ministry of Health, Cook Islands.

Sonia Groisman, PhD, Post PhD, DNA Lab Diagnosis, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Valerie Wordley, BDS, MPH, Clinical Advisor, NHS England, United Kingdom.

Vyhari Chandrasorupan, MPH, Intern, WFPHA, Australia.

Youth Power: The Next Generation’s Role in Lifelong Immunization

Today’s youth represent not just the future of healthcare but a powerful force for change. Their digital fluency, innovative thinking, and peer influence make them uniquely positioned to advance life-course immunization in ways traditional approaches cannot.

To appreciate their impact, consider how young professionals are already driving change.

Innovative Approaches to Vaccine Advocacy

Young healthcare students and professionals are revolutionizing immunization efforts through creative strategies. Medical students develop peer education programs that resonate with younger audiences. Pharmacy students bring vaccines to underserved communities. Digital natives create social media campaigns that effectively counter misinformation.

These approaches are particularly effective in addressing long-standing challenges.

Tackling Tough Challenges Head-On

Youth-led initiatives are making remarkable progress, whereas traditional methods have struggled. They’re breaking down cultural barriers to HPV vaccination through community dialogues, increasing access in remote areas through mobile clinics, and, perhaps most importantly, rebuilding trust in vaccines through relatable, peer-to-peer communication.

Their success offers valuable lessons for the broader healthcare community.

What the Establishment Can Learn

The youth movement exemplifies several key principles that can enhance all immunization efforts. Authentic storytelling often proves more persuasive than data alone. Meeting people where they are (physically and digitally) increases engagement. Empowering local champions builds sustainable change.

Supporting these young leaders should be a priority for health organizations.

How to Foster Youth Leadership

Investing in young vaccine advocates yields tremendous returns. This includes:

• Creating funding opportunities for student-led initiatives
• Establishing youth advisory councils
• Incorporating immunization leadership training into health education curricula.
  

The energy and innovation of young healthcare professionals represent our best hope for achieving life-course immunization for all. By empowering today’s youth, we secure healthier communities for generations to come.

 

Click here to read the original Final Call to Action as signed and supported by multiple international NGOs.

Seeking Two Interns for the WFPHA

 

The World Federation of Public Health Associations is currently looking for 2 Intern

WFPHA offers a unique environment for students interested in an internship in international health and development. Interns are given substantial responsibility for performing activities such as researching and writing articles, establishing contact with health and development NGOs worldwide, planning international conferences, and fundraising. Each internship is structured to suit the needs and interests of the intern, as well as the requirements of WFPHA.

During the internship, interns will further develop their skills and become more familiar with the key issues and actors in international health and development. They will have extensive networking opportunities as WFPHA is an international NGO in official relations with the WHO and has extensive contacts with other organizations worldwide.

The internship will be done remotely.

Key areas:

The candidate will work on writing a book exploring the intersection of religious faith and public health. 

Qualification and Experience

• Candidates must have completed a Master’s in Public Health or be on track to complete it by the next few weeks.
• Knowledge of MS Office, Adobe
• English: a must
• Good writing skills
• Eager to work within a multicultural and international environment
• A good team player with a “can-do” attitude
• Good at multi-tasking and working with strict deadlines

Compensation

The internship is unpaid. The organization does not cover relocation expenses or sponsor international student visas.

Period

Starts as soon as possible for a minimum of 6 months. Immediate availability is required. 

Application Deadline

4th July 2025

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for the internship, please send your CV and motivation letter to Maria Mata at maria.mata@wfpha.org with the subject line: Intersection of religious faith and public health. 

 

Youth Tobacco Addiction: The Silent Epidemic Stealing Futures

I was walking through the narrow alleys of Basantapur, one of the most vibrant, culturally rich, and historic areas of Kathmandu, Nepal, when my eyes caught a disturbing scene: a group of boys, no older than 14, sharing a single cigarette. Their faces still soft with youth, yet their actions spoke of an addiction already taking root. This wasn’t just a puff of smoke but a fog settling over their futures.

The Alarming Reality of Youth Tobacco Addiction

This practice isn’t isolated. Across Nepal, adolescents are falling prey to tobacco addiction at alarming rates. A 2019 survey revealed that 28% of Nepalis aged 15-69 use tobacco. In 2020, 68 out of 2,800 hospitalized cases of E-cigarette or Vaping Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) were under 18 years old. Despite laws prohibiting minors from buying tobacco, access remains shockingly easy.

Those boys should’ve been chasing dreams, not cigarettes. Yet, there they were: tobacco already gripping their health, ambitions, and hope. What alarmed me most wasn’t the act itself, but their casual acceptance. No guilt, only confidence. They saw smoking as a regular part of growing up.

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath lies a more profound crisis: misinformation, peer pressure, familial habits, and aggressive tobacco industry marketing.

How Big Tobacco Targets the Young Generation

Globally, over 17% of youth use tobacco, including 37 million children aged 13-15 (Global Tobacco Youth Survey Report). The industry thrives by hooking young users early, ensuring lifelong customers. Their tactics?

• Flavored products that appeal to teens
• Social media glamorization from TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube challenges
• Stealth marketing by sponsoring music festivals and fashion shows
• Disguised e-cigarettes, designed like USB drives, pens

Research by the U.S. Surgeon General (2012) confirms that adolescents are more likely to get addicted, with many struggling to quit for life. Worse, e-cigarette use quadruples the chance of transitioning to traditional cigarettes (National Academies of Sciences, 2018).

A Sister’s Fear: Will My Brothers Be Next?

As a sister to two teenage brothers, my fear is constant. I instinctively check for smoke whenever they return from school or a walk. It’s not the best approach, but it’s my way of protecting them.

Recently, I visited my old school, Janapremi World School, Bhaktapur, not as a student, but as a public health advocate conducting anti-tobacco awareness sessions. Standing before those bright faces, I remembered friends who started smoking, lost their way, and dropped out. Schools lost scholars. Society lost its future.

When I asked students if they knew about vaping, hookahs, or e-cigarettes, every hand went up. Many even explained how “vaping isn’t smoking,” some with parents who mistakenly believe it’s harmless.

Breaking the Cycle: Awareness, Education, Action

This generation is inheriting myths. It’s our duty to debunk them. The only solution? Awareness, education, and action.

Since February 2025, Nepal Health Corps (NHC)—a youth-led organization—has been running a Nationwide Anti-Tobacco Campaign in collaboration with the World Federation of Public Health Associations (WFPHA). With WHO’s powerful message, “Be smart, don’t start,” we’re educating Grades 6-12 students on the dangers of smoking, vaping, and smokeless tobacco.

How the Campaign Works:

• Interactive sessions on tobacco’s health effects
• Peer-led advocacy from trained nursing/medical students
• Social media engagement using custom posters and awareness drives
• Data collection on youth tobacco trends

Phase 1 (Feb–July 2025) aims to reach 10,000+ students. Schools welcome us, one teacher admitted, “We just caught two students smoking yesterday. This education is missing in curricula.”

The Power of Prevention: Let’s Make Tobacco Uncool

Smoke-free spaces aren’t just about bans, they’re about shifting perceptions. Through media, storytelling, and youth mobilization, we’re making tobacco irrelevant, uncool, and unwanted.

Join the Fight Against Youth Tobacco Addiction

• Share real stories.
• Educate the next generation.
• Support anti-tobacco campaigns.

Together, we can clear the fog and give youth back their futures.