Why Maternal Health Must Be Part of Climate Solutions | Veronica Gillispie-Bell | TEDxBatonRouge

When we talk about who is most vulnerable to climate change, we don't often talk about pregnant women. Veronica Gillispie-Bell thinks we should. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, she traces their effects on maternal outcomes: disrupted care, compounding stress, and environmental exposures that put mothers and newborns at greater risk, particularly in communities already facing health inequities. What emerges is a call to recognize maternal health as one of climate change's clearest and most urgent consequences. Veronica Gillispie-Bell is a physician, public health leader, and Associate Professor at Ochsner Health dedicated to improving outcomes for mothers and babies. Her clinical work, research, and advocacy focus on closing systemic gaps in care and advancing health equity. By connecting climate risk to maternal health, she is pushing both fields toward solutions that protect those who are most vulnerable. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx