Maternal Wellness in a Changing Climate:

Our primary goal was to capture the landscape of perinatal community health workers' perspectives on the intersection of climate change and maternal health. [...] Congress should prioritize key legislative acts to support maternal health and address the intertwined challenges of climate change and reproductive justice. [...] It is driven by a shared commitment to advancing reproductive justice, promoting perinatal wellness, and addressing maternal and infant health inequities in the US. [...] The integration of climate change into maternal health initiatives is imperative due to the increasing harmful impact of environmental factors on pregnancy outcomes and on maternal wellbeing. [...] It reflects the concerns and insights of those deeply engaged in supporting pregnant individuals, particularly within marginalized and racialized communities. Aims of Survey The survey's main objective was to gauge the awareness, concerns, and experiences of perinatal community health workers regarding climate impacts on maternal and newborn health. [...] Specifically, the survey aimed to Overview Doula Survey Understand the level of awareness and concern among perinatal community health workers regarding climate change impacts, such as extreme weather events, air pollution, and lead exposure, on pregnancy and newborn health. [...] In summary, the survey provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by perinatal community health workers in addressing climate-related health risks and underscored the pressing need for increased support, training, and resources to effectively navigate this critical intersection between environmental health and maternal well-being. [...] These findings underscore the importance of equipping perinatal community health workers with the necessary knowledge and resources to address climate-related health disparities and promote maternal and newborn well-being. [...] The survey findings indicate a gap between current practices and the aspirations of perinatal community health workers, highlighting the need for increased support, training, and resources to effectively address climate-related health concerns in their practice. [...] Equipping perinatal community health workers with the necessary knowledge, training, and resources is essential to address climate-related health disparities and promote maternal and newborn well-being in the face of environmental challenges. 1718 Recommendations The findings of the survey with perinatal community health workers underscore the critical need to address the intersection of climate