- A recent study analyzing 25 years of birth data suggests that heat waves are associated with slight increases in premature and early-term births, with risks escalating as extreme temperatures persist, posing a potential threat to infant health amidst climate change. Premature birth, the leading cause of infant mortality, presents significant long-term health challenges. After four consecutive days of high temperatures, there is a 2 percent higher likelihood of premature births and a 1 percent increase in early-term births. The risk is slightly higher among Black and Hispanic mothers and those with lower education levels. This study, examining 53 million births across major U.S. cities from 1993 to 2017, represents the largest investigation into the relationship between extreme heat and perinatal health. (Article here)
May 29, 2024
Life Sciences | Tea Leaves