All articles tagged with #pregnancy outcomes
Science-backed links show wildfire smoke harms more than lungs: PM2.5 and other pollutants can trigger heart attacks, strokes, cognitive and mental health effects, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, with risks even at moderate exposure and no safe threshold. As acres burned rise and smoke travels far, experts urge protective measures like clean-air spaces, masks, and sealing homes, framing this as a broader public health problem.
A Lancet review argues that men’s health and partner support before and during pregnancy influence outcomes for mothers and children, and calls for including paternal health in pre-conception guidelines. It notes lifestyle and clinical factors such as smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, alcohol use, and age can affect sperm quality and fertility, while partner involvement improves pregnancy experience and outcomes. A separate Lancet study across countries found consistent priorities for pregnancy planning—physical and mental health, stability, and partner support—highlighting the need for policy changes to monitor reproductive-age health and to support diverse gender identities.
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health has found that cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with a higher risk of poor pregnancy outcomes, including low birth weight. The study analyzed urine samples from over 9,000 pregnant individuals and found that those who used cannabis had unfavorable birth outcomes at a rate of 25.9%, compared to 17.4% among non-users. The strongest association was found between low birth weight and cannabis use. The study highlights the need for better messaging about the risks of cannabis use during pregnancy and the importance of identifying pregnancy-safe alternatives for symptom management.