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Temperature-related neonatal deaths attributable to climate change in 29 low- and middle-income countries

Author

Listed:
  • Asya Dimitrova

    (Member of the Leibniz Association
    corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

  • Anna Dimitrova

    (University of California)

  • Matthias Mengel

    (Member of the Leibniz Association)

  • Antonio Gasparrini

    (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)

  • Hermann Lotze-Campen

    (Member of the Leibniz Association
    Humboldt University of Berlin)

  • Sabine Gabrysch

    (Member of the Leibniz Association
    corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
    Heidelberg University)

Abstract

Exposure to high and low ambient temperatures increases the risk of neonatal mortality, but the contribution of climate change to temperature-related neonatal deaths is unknown. We use Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data (n = 40,073) from 29 low- and middle-income countries to estimate the temperature-related burden of neonatal deaths between 2001 and 2019 that is attributable to climate change. We find that across all countries, 4.3% of neonatal deaths were associated with non-optimal temperatures. Climate change was responsible for 32% (range: 19-79%) of heat-related neonatal deaths, while reducing the respective cold-related burden by 30% (range: 10-63%). Climate change has impacted temperature-related neonatal deaths in all study countries, with most pronounced climate-induced losses from increased heat and gains from decreased cold observed in countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Future increases in global mean temperatures are expected to exacerbate the heat-related burden, which calls for ambitious mitigation and adaptation measures to safeguard the health of newborns.

Suggested Citation

  • Asya Dimitrova & Anna Dimitrova & Matthias Mengel & Antonio Gasparrini & Hermann Lotze-Campen & Sabine Gabrysch, 2024. "Temperature-related neonatal deaths attributable to climate change in 29 low- and middle-income countries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-49890-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49890-x
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