CLIMATE change is severely affecting the physical and psychological health of reproductive-age women living in Bangladesh’s coastal communities, according to a new study. The research, conducted in five of the most vulnerable unions in Satkhira’s Shyamnagar subdistrict, reveals how environmental disruption is reshaping the health landscape for women between ages 14 and 49.
Drawing on in-depth interviews with 25 women and five married men, supplemented by insights from healthcare professionals, the study documents a wide range of climate-related health impacts. Saline intrusion, a direct consequence of rising sea levels, has contaminated local water sources, leaving communities without fresh drinking water. This has led to a spike in waterborne diseases, particularly among women who are more exposed due to their roles in water collection and caregiving.
The lack of safe water and adequate hygiene facilities has also contributed to a surge in skin conditions, gynecological issues, and reproductive health complications. Heat waves during summer months further intensify these risks, with women experiencing symptoms such as anemia, dehydration, pregnancy complications, heat stroke, and hypertension. Mental health outcomes are also significant, with elevated levels of anxiety, stress, and depression reported across the population.
In addition to physical hardship, the women in these communities shoulder the disproportionate burden of maintaining household health in an increasingly hostile climate. Limited maternal care access and infrastructure failures exacerbate the challenges.
The study concludes by calling for integrated, community-based strategies to build resilience. These include improving access to clean water, reproductive and maternal healthcare, and targeted education on climate adaptation. Without focused intervention, the compound effects of environmental change will continue to undermine the health and well-being of women in vulnerable regions.
Reference:
Amin MN et al. The health impact of climate change on the women in reproductive age: a study of coastal communities in Satkhira, Bangladesh. Front Public Health. 2025;13:1560498.
