In recent health news, a study has revealed the link between heat waves and early births. Analyzing over 50 million births in the U.S. over a 25-year period, researchers found that preterm and early-term birth rates increase after heat waves. The study showed that there were slightly more preterm and early-term births when the average temperature was higher than normal for four consecutive days, with higher rates observed among babies born to younger minority women with lower levels of education.
During the peak of COVID-19 hospitalizations in 2020, patients with other health issues were more likely to experience negative outcomes. A study conducted at over 3,000 hospitals revealed that mortality rates for conditions such as pressure ulcers, heart failure, and hip fractures increased by at least 20% during weeks with high numbers of COVID-19 admissions.
In a separate study, it was discovered that the active ingredient in popular weight-loss drugs may have a protective effect on kidney function for individuals using the drug to combat obesity or cardiovascular disease. Trial data indicated that individuals taking semaglutide were 22% less likely to experience adverse kidney-related events.
These findings underscore the importance of considering the impact of environmental factors, infectious diseases, and pharmaceutical interventions on various aspects of health and wellbeing.
