Ambient Temperatures and Anemia Among Women of Reproductive Age in South Asia

Anemia is a major public health concern in South Asia, a region where febrile illnesses and nutritional deficiencies are prevalent. While the environment is a key contributor to maternal anemia, there is limited availability of research on the association between ambient temperature and maternal anemia. This longitudinal population-based study with multiple covariates, utilizing population-level data, examines the relationship between climate change and maternal anemia over the period of 2010 to 2022. Using a negative binomial regression model adjusted for covariates, we modeled the region-specific (n = 8 nations) relationships between annual anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age (15-49 years old) and annual maximum temperatures. After adjustment, the statistical analysis revealed distinct regional differences, with an overall statistically significant but weak association between maternal anemia and maximum temperature. These findings underscore ambient temperature as a determinant of anemia risk in women of reproductive age in South Asia. Further research with larger datasets is needed to clarify causal mechanisms and strengthen evidence for developing climate-specific strategies to address the temperature-related anemia risk. Climate-centered approaches would reduce the large-scale impact of climate-related diseases and improve overall reproductive health.