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MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines ranked ninth in Asia in terms of pregnancy risk caused by extreme heat as a result of climate change over the last five years, a new study revealed.
According to nonprofit news organization Climate Central, climate change is fuelling a sharp rise in extreme heat risk for pregnant people worldwide.
The study added that human-caused climate change has doubled the number of days that are dangerously hot for pregnant people in 90 percent of countries and territories around the world, threatening maternal health and birth outcomes.
According to the nonprofit, this is the first analysis directly quantifying how climate change is increasing dangerously hot days for pregnant people.
Climate Central analyzed daily temperatures over the past five years, from 2020 to 2024, across 247 countries and territories and 940 cities to measure the rise in pregnancy heat-risk days, which are extremely hot days associated with higher risks of preterm birth and maternal health complications.
In the Philippines, 30 of the 36 pregnancy heat-risk days observed (83 percent) were due to climate change.
“In addition, Zamboanga City was ranked as the fourth major city in Asia with the most pregnancy heat-risk days added by climate change. Out of 42 annual average days observed, 41 days were added by climate change, 98 percent of pregnancy heat-risk days were caused by climate change,” the study noted.
Meanwhile, Southeast Asia is among the regions most exposed to these risks, with the greatest increases observed in regions with limited access to health care.
“Climate change is increasing extreme heat and stacking the odds against healthy pregnancies worldwide, especially in places where care is already hard to access. The impacts on maternal and infant health are likely to worsen if we don’t stop burning fossil fuels and urgently tackle climate change,” Climate Central vice president for science Kristina Dahl said.
Danger heat index
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned that 27 areas across the country are forecast to experience dangerous levels of heat index, ranging from 42 degrees Celsius to 44 degrees Celsius.
The areas expected to record a heat index of 42 degrees Celsius include Pasay City, Quezon City, Sinait in Ilocos Sur, Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, Dagupan City in Pangasinan, Batac in Ilocos Norte, Aparri in Cagayan, Subic Bay in Olongapo, Ambulong in Tanauan, Coron in Palawan, Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, Masbate, Pili in Camarines Sur, Mambusao in Capiz, Dumangas in Iloilo, the island province of Siquijor, Tacloban City in Leyte, Borongan in Eastern Samar, Guiuan in Eastern Samar, Maasin in Southern Leyte and Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte.
Meanwhile, four areas are expected to experience a higher heat index of 43 degrees Celsius. These are Bacnotan in La Union, San Jose in Occidental Mindoro, Iloilo City and Butuan City in Agusan del Norte.
Topping the list with the highest danger-level heat index at 44 degrees Celsius are Sangley Point in Cavite and Roxas City in Capiz.
A heat index within this range can cause heat cramps, heat exhaustion and, in severe cases, heat stroke with prolonged sun exposure or physical activity.
The danger level, defined by PAGASA as between 42 and 51 degrees Celsius, indicates extreme heat and high humidity that can affect human health and daily activities.
