In the largest systematic review of its kind, we reviewed 198 studies that assessed the impact of heat on maternal, fetal, and neonatal health, across 66 countries.

We found that for every 1°C increase in heat exposure, there was a 4% increase in odds of preterm birth across all the studies. During a heatwave, the odds of preterm birth increased by 26%. Similarly, we found marked increases in other adverse outcomes such as increased risk for gestational diabetes, stillbirths, congenital anomalies and obstetric complications with increasing exposure to heat. There is limited research on outcomes like antenatal bleeding and caesarian section risks that may be related to heat exposure and could contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality.

“Our research provides compelling evidence that heat exposure poses severe health risks for pregnant women and their babies, yet these risks are frequently underestimated”, said Prof. Matthew Chersich, executive director at Wits Planetary Health Research.

Adding an extra hour every week of physical activity may lower the chance of developing the most common type of irregular heartbeat (arrythmia) by 11%, a new study shows.

A preliminary study combining a patent-applied, AI-powered algorithm with a high-speed, 5-to 30-second video of skin on the face and the palm of the hand detected if someone had high blood pressure as well as using a blood pressure cuff. The system, still in early development in Japan, also accurately detected Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. With modifications for real-world use, the system may eventually offer quick, contactless screenings for high blood pressure and diabetes and help monitor response to treatment.

An analysis of data from the CDC’s WONDER database found that the number of people in the U.S. who died from ischemic heart disease related to obesity increased by approximately 180% from 1999 to 2020. The highest rate of deaths from ischemic heart disease related to obesity were noted among middle-aged men ages 55-64, Black adults and people who live in the Midwestern states and non-metropolitan areas in the U.S.

An analysis of death certificate data for more than 11 million U.S. adults from 2010 to 2022 found that cardiovascular disease death rates increased by about 21% for adults ages 25-64 living in rural areas, however, the rates declined by about 9% for adults ages 65 or older living in urban areas. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, cardiovascular death rates increased significantly more in rural compared to urban areas, a consistent finding across all ages.