Extreme Weather Events & Pregnancy

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Extreme weather events are becoming more common and so are the mental health consequences that can result from them for this vulnerable part of the population. Join us and Dr. Jennifer Barkin back in person at Manuel’s Tavern for National Mental Health Awareness Month and this important topic.
The goal of this presentation is to familiarize the audience with the mental health consequences of extreme weather events (EWEs) on maternal child mental health. Specifically, we hope to provide some answers to this question: What types of psychological symptoms have been observed in populations of pregnant/postpartum women and children who have been exposed to EWEs? As EWEs become more frequent and severe, more women of childbearing age and children will be impacted (in addition to various other groups). Given the vulnerability of the perinatal period, and the importance of early maternal-child bonding to child development, we examine the impacts of the climate crisis on both mothers and children.
Dr. Jennifer Barkin is a Professor of Community Medicine and OB/GYN at the Mercer University School of Medicine. She serves as the Vice-Chair of the Community Medicine Department and during her brief tenure, she has implemented innovative course content related to the effects of climate change on clinical practice. A University of Pittsburgh-trained biostatistician (M.S.) and epidemiologist (PhD), she completed a postdoctoral scholarship at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning, has been commercially licensed multiple times, including for the clinical trials for FDA-breakthrough postpartum depression medication Zulresso® (brexanolone). She serves on the Advisory Board for the Georgia Clinicians for Climate Action and for Memora Heath. She has provided expert testimony before the Georgia House of Representatives Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Committee and has been invited to present before various legislators including Mayor Ge’ Nell Gary (Albany, California), State Senator Joan Lovely (Massachusetts), and State Representative Mandisha Thomas (Georgia). Her recent work is focused on the mental health effects of climate change on mothers and children. Her work been featured by Mad in America, the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, ecoAmerica, the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), and Carnegie Mellon University.
*All Science for Georgia guest speakers participate on a voluntary basis, without compensation, and express their views independent of Science for Georgia.

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