“The fires in Los Angeles, floods in Mississippi, hurricanes in Florida, and tornadoes in the Midwest are urgent reminders of our climate crisis. We need policymakers to step up and create real, effective policies to protect our communities. Lives are at stake,” says Kavelle Christie.
The devastation caused by fires in Los Angeles is deeply concerning. It’s a painful reminder of how fragile life can be and the heavy toll these disasters take on families and neighborhoods.
These events highlight the critical need for significant change in how we respond to climate-related disasters. Vulnerable communities, particularly pregnant individuals and new mothers, are often hit the hardest. Sadly, their needs are frequently overlooked in discussions about climate resilience, despite the serious risks disasters pose to maternal health.
This isn’t just a California issue. Last year, hurricanes devastated Florida and Louisiana. Tornadoes impacted areas in Mississippi and the Midwest, while floods wreaked havoc in the Northeast. All of these events disrupt vital access to healthcare services, closing clinics and displacing healthcare workers. Vulnerable communities face even greater challenges as environmental hazards heighten their existing vulnerabilities.
In underserved areas, especially among Black and brown communities in southern states, these disasters make serious maternal health issues even worse. Research shows that wildfire smoke can lead to preterm births and low birth weight. Extreme heat increases complications during pregnancy, while hurricanes and floods can disrupt critical prenatal care. In regions struck by tornadoes, healthcare facilities can be entirely destroyed, leaving families with limited options.
Economic hardship adds another layer to these struggles. Families lose jobs, homes, and access to healthcare during disasters, which can trap them in a cycle of poverty. In places like Mississippi and Louisiana, high maternal mortality rates are exacerbated by environmental challenges.
Instead of fixing these systemic problems, some harmful policies threaten to escalate the crisis. For example, Project 2025 proposes tying disaster recovery funds to state compliance with federal priorities, which risks leaving vulnerable communities without essential support.
Another concern is the promotion of misleading information in healthcare leadership. Figures like Dr. Mehmet Oz and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have been nominated for significant health positions, raising alarms about the potential erosion of public trust and safety in healthcare. We cannot afford to put those who disregard scientific facts in charge of our health responses.
Congress should pass the climate initiatives in the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, led by Representatives Lauren Underwood and Alma Adams and Senator Cory Booker. This includes the Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act, aimed at funding air filtration systems for families at risk and tracking climate-related maternal health issues.
State Medicaid programs also need to step up. They should broaden their coverage to include essential tools for managing asthma, cooling systems, and air filtration devices. These are not optional but necessary for families grappling with increasing climate-related challenges, in line with World Health Organization recommendations.
In addition, as more states extend postpartum care to 12 months, it’s crucial to expand Medicaid benefits to include critical services like asthma management. This support can help pregnant and postpartum individuals stay healthy during environmental crises.
However, these steps are just the beginning. We need more comprehensive solutions to tackle the intersection of climate change and maternal health. Policymakers must boldly address healthcare infrastructure in disaster-prone areas and confront racial and economic disparities.
We need to reframe the idea of “resilience.” The burden of surviving crises shouldn’t fall solely on individuals, especially pregnant people and new parents. Our healthcare and support systems must be resilient enough to withstand these challenges, protecting those who are most vulnerable during tough times. True resilience lies in creating a world where no one has to face a crisis alone.
The events in Los Angeles, Mississippi, Florida, and beyond serve as harsh reminders that we need urgent action for our communities. Lives truly depend on it.
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