Planetary Health Education and Training for Midwives and Nurses: A Scoping Review of Reported Educational and Practice Outcomes Related to Maternal and Child Health

Planetary health emphasizes the interdependence between human health and the Earth’s natural systems, and climate change, environmental degradation, and ecosystem disruption are increasingly influencing maternal, newborn, and child health through pathways such as heat exposure, air pollution, food and water insecurity, and the spread of infectious diseases (1,2). Evidence shows that pregnant women and young children are among the populations most vulnerable to environmental and climate-related risks (3). Nurses and midwives play a central role in maternal and child health care delivery across community, primary, and acute care settings, and are often the first point of contact for women and families affected by these environmental stressors (4). As trusted health professionals, they are well positioned to identify environmental risks, provide anticipatory guidance, and support climate-responsive maternal and child health practices. But despite growing recognition of the relevance of planetary health to maternal and child health, there is limited clarity on how planetary health concepts are incorporated into education and training programs for nurses and midwives. Existing literature remains fragmented, varies widely in scope and delivery, and frequently emphasizes general climate awareness rather than competencies specific to maternal and child health practice (5,6). Moreover, while some educational initiatives report outcomes related to learners’ knowledge, attitudes, confidence, or professional practices, these findings have not been systematically mapped to inform curriculum development or workforce preparedness. Therefore, this scoping review aims to map existing planetary health education and training programs for nurses and midwives and to describe their reported impacts on participants’ knowledge, attitudes, confidence, and clinical practices related to environmental determinants of maternal and child health.