FIGO | Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment

International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO)

FIGO Opinion

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) opinion on reproductive health impacts of exposure to toxic environmental chemicals is a policy statement by FIGO on preventing exposure to toxic environmental chemicals. FIGO is the leading global voice of reproductive health professionals and its actions have profound resonance. FIGO’s Member Societies include 125 countries/territories, and its groundbreaking policy statement on environmental health was published on October 1, 2015 in the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Read the statement in English or French.

The FIGO Opinion concludes with four recommendations to reduce and prevent exposure to toxic chemicals globally, which are: (1) Advocate for policies to prevent exposure to toxic environmental chemicals; (2) work to ensure a healthy food system for all; (3) make environmental health part of health care; and (4) champion environmental justice. It was authored by an international group of ob-gyns and scientists who include representatives from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, UCSF’s Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment, and the World Health Organization. The FIGO Opinion has been formally endorsed or supported by 12 reproductive health professional organizations worldwide.

See the UCSF press release here.

FIGO Communications Materials

Opinion release

FIGO Opinion Recommendations graphic

Toxic Chemicals infographic

“Why are obgyn's talking toxics?”

50th Anniversary of Earth Day campaign

In recognition of the anniversary in April 2020, PRHE partnered with FIGO and the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) to produce communications materials about climate change, air pollution and environmental chemicals. Materials are available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and French. Samples appear below; navigate to FIGO's Earth Day 2020 Dropbox for the full suite of materials.

Pregnancy and Climate Change infographic

Social media assets

Toxic Chemicals and Pregnancy campaign

In July 2020 PRHE once again partnered with FIGO and the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) to produce communications materials. This campaign focuses specificially on toxic chemicals and how they affect pregnancy. Samples appear below; navigate to FIGO's Toxic Chemicals and Pregnancy Dropbox for the full suite of materials.

Toxic Chemicals & Pregnancy infographic

Social media assets

Summit on Shaping Our Planetary Legacy: Setting an Agenda for Environmental Reproductive Health

The FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2015 coincided with the release of the Opinion. PRHE hosted a Summit at the congress to bring together leaders in reproductive health from around the globe to develop a plan of action to address exposure to toxic environmental chemicals. The FIGO Reproductive and Developmental Environmental Health Working Group will work to carry this agenda forward and develop new directions, as needed.