Poorly insulated homes and a lack of green around the house can significantly increase indoor temperatures. For pregnant women, longterm exposure to heat can directly affect the course of pregnancy. As climate change leads to more frequent and intense summer heatwaves, understanding and addressing these risks has never been more urgent.

Through the Healthy Start Sprint project ‘Towards heat-resilient pregnancy in Rotterdam-Rijnmond’, Jasper and his team are developing a practical toolkit to help improve living conditions and reduce the risk of premature births. This is done by co-creation in a policy lab that brings together residents, midwives, GGD professionals, municipal and national policymakers, and housing corporations. By collaborating across disciplines and working closely with those affected, the project aims to create sustainable, real‑world impact for healthier pregnancies and better starts in life.