Mental and physical health impacts of extreme weather events on women of reproductive age: A systematic review

Abstract

This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the mental and physical health consequences of EWEs among WRA. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and PsycINFO, as well as grey literature sources, for studies published between January 1, 2014 and April 30, 2024. Twenty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Exposure to EWEs was consistently associated with elevated anxiety, depression, PTSD, and eco-anxiety among WRA, alongside increased risks of preterm birth, low birth weight, and pregnancy loss. Socioeconomic disadvantage, rural residence, caregiving responsibilities, and pre-existing vulnerabilities exacerbated these impacts. Quality assessment revealed moderate to high risk of bias across most studies. EWEs significantly affect the mental and physical health of WRA, amplified by gender-specific roles and socioeconomic stressors. Evidence-based recommendations include integrating mental health screening into antenatal care in disaster-prone regions, developing climate-resilient maternal health services, and prioritizing longitudinal research in low-income settings.