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Maternal Health

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WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON

Maternal health is a core focus at Moms Clean Air Force. Pregnant people want nothing more than to create a safe and healthy first environment for their babies. But climate-fueled extreme weather as well as air pollution is making it harder to do just that. Our work pushing for the strongest possible federal standards across all sectors to reduce harmful air and climate pollution supports maternal health. We also advocate for legislation that protects maternal and infant health, like the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act and the Resolution on Protecting Latina Maternal and Infant Health From Extreme Heat and Air Pollution.

MOMS ACTION

In an effort to protect maternal health we:

  • EDUCATE We create educational content to inform our members and the public about maternal health concerns—plus steps they can take to safeguard their bodies and their growing babies.
  • PETITION Our members have submitted 6,987 messages to Congress telling them to support Black and Latina maternal and infant health.
  • PARTNER Moms works with several organizations on maternal health including National Hispanic Health Foundation, Alianza Nacional de Campesinas (National Alliance of Women Farmworkers), and March of Dimes.
  • AMPLIFY Members of Moms and EcoMadres attended and spoke at Representative Barragán’s press conference to introduce the Resolution on Protecting Latina Maternal and Infant Health From Extreme Heat and Air Pollution in September 2024.
  • SUCCEED Moms pushed EPA to finalize enhanced protections to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) in 2024, a rule we’ve been working on for over a decade. Nearly 60 Moms testified at EPA’s hearing for the 2024 rule about mercury’s harms to children’s and babies’ developing brains and their experiences avoiding mercury during pregnancy.
    .

OUR MATERNAL HEALTH EXPERTS

Maternal health expert Almeta E. Cooper

Almeta E. Cooper

National Manager for Health Justice

Maternal health expert Luz Drada

Luz Drada

Program Coordinator

Maternal health expert Liz Hurtado

Liz Hurtado

National Field Manager

Maternal health expert Stephanie Reese

Stephanie Reese

Director of Strategic Implementation and Justice

FEATURED RESOURCES

How Air Pollution Harms <br/>Pregnant People

Fact Sheet

How Air Pollution Harms
Pregnant People

Pregnancy, the Placenta, and Pollution

Fact Sheet

Pregnancy, the Placenta, and Pollution

Air Pollution, Extreme Heat, and Latina Maternal Health

Fact Sheet

Air Pollution, Extreme Heat, and Latina Maternal Health

Air Pollution, Extreme Heat, and Black Maternal Health

Fact Sheet

Air Pollution, Extreme Heat, and Black Maternal Health

WHY WE CARE

So much remains unknown about the impact environmental hazards can have on moms and developing infants. Climate change has drastically increased the incidence of heat waves, wildfires, and superstorms, all of which also increase air pollution. Extreme heat, for example, exacerbates ground-level ozone pollution, commonly called smog. Exposure to air pollutants such as ozone during certain periods of pregnancy has been linked to preterm birth, which can have long-term health consequences.

HEALTH IMPACTS

Pregnancy is a time of extreme sensitivity. Children exposed to pollution and extreme heat in the womb are at risk of low birth weight, improper immune system development, lower cognitive intelligence, and gestational diabetes as well as long-term health impacts, including asthma and high blood pressure.


Pregnancy is a time of extreme sensitivity.
Children exposed to pollution and extreme heat
in the womb are at risk.

COMMUNITY IMPACTS

While air pollution and extreme heat threaten all pregnant people, the impacts are disproportionately high in Black and Latino communities owing to their proximity to sources of pollution as well as exposure to extreme heat in living and working environments. Hispanic mothers are more likely to live in areas with high levels of air pollution compared to their white counterparts, are more impacted by wildfire smoke, and are at higher risk of stillbirths from ozone exposure. In the United States, Black women of all income and education levels are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women.

BACK STORY ON
MATERNAL HEALTH

As long as babies are exposed to pollution before they take their first breath, Moms have and will continue to work tirelessly on legislation to protect pregnant people who are especially vulnerable to climate impacts. In 2021, we asked Congress to address the maternal mortality crisis in the United States. In the richest nation on earth, moms are dying at the highest rate in the developed world.

Moms held a congressional briefing and hosted several webinars for the public to raise awareness about the issues. Congress took a step forward by introducing the Black Maternal Health Act, or “Momnibus,” a package of 12 bills aimed to address different aspects of the Black maternal health crisis. We also supported a stand-alone bill introduced at the same time, the Protecting Moms and Babies Against Climate Change Act, introduced by Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) and Senator Ed Markey (MA), which specifically focused on mitigating the impacts of climate change on moms and babies. In 2023, the Momnibus was reintroduced by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representatives Underwood and Alma Adams (NC-12).

More Resources about Maternal Health

  • Articles
  • Resources
  • press
Science Matters: Carmen Marsit, Environmental Molecular Epidemiologist

Article

Science Matters: Carmen Marsit, Environmental Molecular Epidemiologist

How Climate and Air Pollution Are Silently Endangering Moms and Babies: Takeaways From the Maternal and Child Health Forum

Article

How Climate and Air Pollution Are Silently Endangering Moms and Babies: Takeaways From the Maternal and Child Health Forum

Join Moms' Maternal & Children’s Health Forum Live May 8

Article

Join Moms' Maternal & Children’s Health Forum Live May 8

Is Plastic Making Your Sperm Decline? Dr. Shanna Swan Answers at Moms’ Plastic Summit on April 3

Article

Is Plastic Making Your Sperm Decline? Dr. Shanna Swan Answers at Moms’ Plastic Summit on April 3

New Resolution Seeks to Protect Latina Mothers From Extreme Heat and Air Pollution

Article

New Resolution Seeks to Protect Latina Mothers From Extreme Heat and Air Pollution

Moms Join Rep. Nanette Barragán to Introduce Historic Latina Maternal Health Resolution

Article

Moms Join Rep. Nanette Barragán to Introduce Historic Latina Maternal Health Resolution

Pregnant? These 3 Must-Read Resources Are Just for You

Article

Pregnant? These 3 Must-Read Resources Are Just for You

Why EPA's New Mercury Protections Matter to Moms

Article

Why EPA's New Mercury Protections Matter to Moms

The Placenta Is Not the Barrier We Once Thought It Was

Article

The Placenta Is Not the Barrier We Once Thought It Was

Now Is the Time to Protect Children From Mercury

Article

Now Is the Time to Protect Children From Mercury

Concerned About Having a Baby Because of Climate Change? Read This Book.

Article

Concerned About Having a Baby Because of Climate Change? Read This Book.

Babies’ Lungs Contain Toxic Air Pollution Before Birth

Article

Babies’ Lungs Contain Toxic Air Pollution Before Birth

Read more articles about Maternal Health »

Air Pollution, Extreme Heat, and Black Maternal Health

Fact Sheet

Air Pollution, Extreme Heat, and Black Maternal Health

Air Pollution, Extreme Heat, and Latina Maternal Health

Fact Sheet

Air Pollution, Extreme Heat, and Latina Maternal Health

How Oil and Gas Operations Impact Your Baby's Health

Fact Sheet

How Oil and Gas Operations Impact Your Baby's Health

Pregnancy, the Placenta, and Pollution

Fact Sheet

Pregnancy, the Placenta, and Pollution

How Air Pollution Harms <br/>Pregnant People

Fact Sheet

How Air Pollution Harms
Pregnant People

Cómo las operaciones de petróleo y gas impactan la salud de su bebé

Fact Sheet

Cómo las operaciones de petróleo y gas impactan la salud de su bebé

La contaminación de aire, el calor extremo y la salud de madres afroamericanas

Fact Sheet

La contaminación de aire, el calor extremo y la salud de madres afroamericanas

Cómo la contaminación de aire perjudica a las embarazadas

Fact Sheet

Cómo la contaminación de aire perjudica a las embarazadas

La contaminación del aire, el calor extremo y la salud materna entre las latinas

Fact Sheet

La contaminación del aire, el calor extremo y la salud materna entre las latinas

Cómo funciona el envenenamiento por mercurio

Fact Sheet

Cómo funciona el envenenamiento por mercurio

El embarazo, la placenta y la contaminación

Fact Sheet

El embarazo, la placenta y la contaminación

How Mercury Poisoning Works

Fact Sheet

How Mercury Poisoning Works

See more resources about Maternal Health »

2025

El Tiempo Latino

Cómo la contaminación del aire y al calor extremo puede afectar a embarazadas

The New Lede

Air pollution messes up pregnant women’s metabolism, spurs preterm births

El Pregonero

Estamos en mayor riesgo por cambio climático

Noticias Telemundo Ahora

El calentamiento global y la contaminación están impactando más a las mujeres latinas y negras

Radio Bilingue

La crisis climática afecta a madres y a sus bebes

Rumbo

“No lo sabíamos”: Cómo el cambio climático y la contaminación del aire están poniendo en peligro silenciosamente la salud materna

Al Dia News

[Op-Ed] “We Didn’t Know”: How Climate Change and Air Pollution Are Silently Endangering Maternal Health

Telemundo Washington, DC

Las amenazas silenciosas del medioambiente que afectan a las mujeres embarazadas

El Diario

Las mujeres y la crisis climática: Un llamado urgente a la acción y la inclusión

Inside Climate News

In an Era of Environmental Deregulation, What Happens to Fetal and Reproductive Health Outcomes?

PA Environment Digest Blog

Physicians For Social Responsibility PA, Climate Action Campaign Webinar On The Impacts Of Climate Change On Women's Health Now Available On Demand

Parents

Pregnant and Worried About Wildfire Smoke? Here’s What To Do

2024

La Opinión

Protegiendo a las madres y niños latinos: la lucha urgente por tener familias saludables

La Opinión

Protecting Latina Mothers and Children: The Urgent Fight For Healthy Families

Cronkite News

Climate Solution Advocacy Group: EcoMadres

Hoodline

Phoenix Summit Tackles Climate Impact on Latina Maternal and Child Health

Conecta Arizona

El clima extremo afecta más a la comunidad latina, especialmente a las mujeres embarazadas y sus bebés

12 News

EcoMadres Summit on 12 News (Phoenix, Arizona)

ABC 15 Arizona

WATCH: Phoenix event addresses pollution, heat impacts on Latina moms and kids

Conecta Arizona

Entre el calor y la esperanza

The Anti-Dread Climate Podcast

How to teach kids about climate action

Air Pollution, Extreme Heat, and Black Maternal Health

Fact Sheet

Air Pollution, Extreme Heat, and Black Maternal Health

Air Pollution, Extreme Heat, and Latina Maternal Health

Fact Sheet

Air Pollution, Extreme Heat, and Latina Maternal Health

How Oil and Gas Operations Impact Your Baby's Health

Fact Sheet

How Oil and Gas Operations Impact Your Baby's Health

Pregnancy, the Placenta, and Pollution

Fact Sheet

Pregnancy, the Placenta, and Pollution

How Air Pollution Harms <br/>Pregnant People

Fact Sheet

How Air Pollution Harms
Pregnant People

Cómo las operaciones de petróleo y gas impactan la salud de su bebé

Fact Sheet

Cómo las operaciones de petróleo y gas impactan la salud de su bebé

La contaminación de aire, el calor extremo y la salud de madres afroamericanas

Fact Sheet

La contaminación de aire, el calor extremo y la salud de madres afroamericanas

Cómo la contaminación de aire perjudica a las embarazadas

Fact Sheet

Cómo la contaminación de aire perjudica a las embarazadas

La contaminación del aire, el calor extremo y la salud materna entre las latinas

Fact Sheet

La contaminación del aire, el calor extremo y la salud materna entre las latinas

Cómo funciona el envenenamiento por mercurio

Fact Sheet

Cómo funciona el envenenamiento por mercurio

El embarazo, la placenta y la contaminación

Fact Sheet

El embarazo, la placenta y la contaminación

How Mercury Poisoning Works

Fact Sheet

How Mercury Poisoning Works

See more Maternal Health resources »

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We are a community of more than 1.6 million moms, dads, and caregivers united against air pollution – including the urgent crisis of our changing climate – to protect our children’s health.

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