Grant: Operating Grant

Climate change will lead to more extreme temperature and weather in Canada in the future. In consequence, health may be affected and mortality may increase. It is important to identify populations more vulnerable to severe weather. Pregnant women, infants, and young children may be more susceptible to extreme temperatures because their bodies are undergoing physical changes that make them less capable of adapting to their environment. Surprisingly little is known on how weather impacts health in pregnant women, infants and children. It is important for researchers to identify how, and to what extent, maternal-child health is affected by extreme weather conditions, and to better inform the public through health advisories of the consequences of extreme weather on pregnant women and children. This research aims to examine how maternal-child health is affected by weather conditions, by answering these questions: (1) What is the relationship between extremely high temperature and maternal disease during pregnancy, such as high blood pressure and preterm delivery? (2) What is the relationship between high temperature and health problems in newborns and young children, including hospitalization and death? (3) Are impacts of extreme weather greater for pregnant women and children living in poverty? We will use Quebec data on births, hospitalizations and deaths from 1981 to 2010, as well as meteorological data from Environment Canada, to answer these questions. We will use the newest research methodologies developed in epidemiology to ensure that statistical methods up to date. We expect this research to provide the public and health officials with information to guide prevention efforts during extreme weather events.