Latest news with #LondonSchoolofHygieneandTropicalMedicine
Irish Examiner
22-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Limited scope of covid evaluation may not judge if key decisions were right or wrong
The limited scope of the covid evaluation was laid bare during a first briefing on how it will operate, with those overseeing it admitting they can only "hope" the Government will act on recommendations made. The briefing, which also saw the launch of a public consultation, outlined how the process is expected to last around 18 months. Panel chair Anne Scott cautioned the panel has already received 'voluminous' amounts of files. A key worry for many families who lost relatives during the pandemic is witnesses cannot be compelled to attend. Prof Scott argued this approach creates 'a more open, more flexible dynamic' and means nobody needs legal representation. However, it means people from the Government, healthcare, or nursing homes could chose not to attend. When asked about this, Prof Scott said only the panel could 'potentially or partly' note a refusal in its report. There could be recommendations for further work. Prof Scott described the report as 'an actionable report' with practical recommendations. However, she said: 'We would expect that to be published and actioned by the Taoiseach. Beyond that, I really can't comment in terms of what the Government at the time will do with the recommendations "But we would hope they will be actioned," she said. 'Meaningful Christmas' It also appears the report may not judge whether key decision points were categorically right or wrong — including the 2020 "meaningful Christmas". It is expected instead to focus on how decisions were made and learning how to deal with future pandemics. Names will not be used in the report, although it is possible people may be directly quoted if they give permission. This means comments from people such as Micheál Martin, Leo Varadkar, or Dr Tony Holohan may not be attributed in the document. It is understood transcripts of interviews will not be available. Members of the public, including bereaved families, will be offered a safe space in a private forum to speak with the panel. It is not clear whether families can request to speak in public. Prof Scott said only the panel could 'potentially or partly' note a refusal in its report. There could be recommendations for further work. The evaluation team has been gathering data from government agencies and departments. These documents will not be made public. There will be occasional livestreams of roundtable discussions to share updates, with the first one set for June. These will not include interviews, and it is not yet known who will take part in this sole public-facing part of the process. The public has been invited to share their experiences on the pandemic between now and July. People can do this online at the Covid-19 Evaluation website, or they can write to the panel or speak on the telephone. It is open to adults over the age of 18. It is understood a way for teenagers aged 15 to 18 to respond will be developed. The panel also comprises of Prof David Heymann, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine; Dr Nat O' Connor and Dr Nora Strecker from University College Dublin; as well as Prof Bert Gordijn, Dublin City University. Other experts from Ireland and abroad are supporting the panel. Secretariat support is given by civil servants seconded to the team. Access the public consultation at
Gulf Today
14-05-2025
- Health
- Gulf Today
Climate change increasing risk of pregnancy problems: Study
Scorching heatwaves fuelled by global warming are increasing the risk of dangerous complications during pregnancies across the world, a report warned on Wednesday. Being exposed to extreme heat while pregnant has previously been linked to a range of problems, including a higher risk of premature birth, stillbirth, birth defects and gestational diabetes. The new report from the US-based research group Climate Central sought to measure how much more pregnant women have been exposed to excessive heat since 2020 — and to what extent climate change is to blame. In 222 out of the 247 countries and territories studied, "climate change at least doubled the average annual number of pregnancy heat-risk days experienced during the past five years," the report said. The biggest increases were in developing countries where access to healthcare is limited, such as in the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Pacific islands, Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The researchers only looked at the rise in potentially dangerous hot days and did not examine the extent to which pregnant women were actually affected by heat in the countries. Ana Bonell, a maternal health and extreme heat researcher at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine not involved in the report, said it "gives clear evidence of the growing exposure risk to extreme heat." The findings could also apply to the elderly, another group who are more at risk during blisteringly hot periods, she told AFP. While researchers are increasingly documenting the many ways that extreme heat can threaten human health, there remain "many unknowns" about the physiological mechanisms to explain why this happens, Bonell said. A large 2024 study in Nature Medicine estimated that heatwaves increase the odds of having a complication during pregnancy by 1.25 times. Beyond wider efforts to fight climate change — which is largely caused by humans burning fossil fuels — experts advised local policies to help communities beat the heat. These include "greening neighbourhoods, limiting pollution, creating cool areas and informing residents about the risks," French epidemiologist Lucie Adelaide said. In a statement linked to the new report, she also recommended that existing information about the health risks of heatwaves include warnings for pregnant women, who are currently rarely mentioned in such efforts. Agence France-Presse
Time of India
14-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Climate change increasing risk of pregnancy problems: study
Paris: Scorching heatwaves fuelled by global warming are increasing the risk of dangerous complications during pregnancies across the world, a report warned on Wednesday. Being exposed to extreme heat while pregnant has previously been linked to a range of problems, including a higher risk of premature birth, stillbirth, birth defects and gestational diabetes. The new report from the US-based research group Climate Central sought to measure how much more pregnant women have been exposed to excessive heat since 2020 -- and to what extent climate change is to blame. In 222 out of the 247 countries and territories studied, "climate change at least doubled the average annual number of pregnancy heat-risk days experienced during the past five years", the report said. The biggest increases were in developing countries where access to healthcare is limited, such as in the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Pacific islands, Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The researchers only looked at the rise in potentially dangerous hot days and did not examine the extent to which pregnant women were actually affected by heat in the countries. Ana Bonell, a maternal health and extreme heat researcher at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine not involved in the report, said it "gives clear evidence of the growing exposure risk to extreme heat". The findings could also apply to the elderly, another group who are more at risk during blisteringly hot periods, she told AFP. While researchers are increasingly documenting the many ways that extreme heat can threaten human health, there remain "many unknowns" about the physiological mechanisms to explain why this happens, Bonell said. A large 2024 study in Nature Medicine estimated that heatwaves increase the odds of having a complication during pregnancy by 1.25 times. Beyond wider efforts to fight climate change -- which is largely caused by humans burning fossil fuels -- experts advised local policies to help communities beat the heat. These include "greening neighbourhoods, limiting pollution, creating cool areas and informing residents about the risks," French epidemiologist Lucie Adelaide said. In a statement linked to the new report, she also recommended that existing information about the health risks of heatwaves include warnings for pregnant women, who are currently rarely mentioned in such efforts.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Global warming escalates pregnancy complications due to rising heatwaves: Study
Scorching heatwaves fuelled by global warming are increasing the risk of dangerous complications during pregnancies across the world, a report warned on Wednesday. Being exposed to extreme heat while pregnant has previously been linked to a range of problems, including a higher risk of premature birth, stillbirth, birth defects and gestational diabetes. The new report from the US-based research group Climate Central sought to measure how much more pregnant women have been exposed to excessive heat since 2020 -- and to what extent climate change is to blame. In 222 out of the 247 countries and territories studied, "climate change at least doubled the average annual number of pregnancy heat-risk days experienced during the past five years", the report said. The biggest increases were in developing countries where access to healthcare is limited, such as in the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Pacific islands, Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The researchers only looked at the rise in potentially dangerous hot days and did not examine the extent to which pregnant women were actually affected by heat in the countries. Ana Bonell, a maternal health and extreme heat researcher at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine not involved in the report, said it "gives clear evidence of the growing exposure risk to extreme heat". The findings could also apply to the elderly, another group who are more at risk during blisteringly hot periods, she told AFP. While researchers are increasingly documenting the many ways that extreme heat can threaten human health, there remain "many unknowns" about the physiological mechanisms to explain why this happens, Bonell said. A large 2024 study in Nature Medicine estimated that heatwaves increase the odds of having a complication during pregnancy by 1.25 times. Beyond wider efforts to fight climate change -- which is largely caused by humans burning fossil fuels -- experts advised local policies to help communities beat the heat. These include "greening neighbourhoods, limiting pollution, creating cool areas and informing residents about the risks," French epidemiologist Lucie Adelaide said. In a statement linked to the new report, she also recommended that existing information about the health risks of heatwaves include warnings for pregnant women, who are currently rarely mentioned in such efforts.
NDTV
14-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Heatwaves Increase Risk Of Pregnancy Complications By 1.25 Times: Study
Scorching heatwaves fuelled by global warming are increasing the risk of dangerous complications during pregnancies across the world, a report warned on Wednesday. Being exposed to extreme heat while pregnant has previously been linked to a range of problems, including a higher risk of premature birth, stillbirth, birth defects and gestational diabetes. The new report from the US-based research group Climate Central sought to measure how much more pregnant women have been exposed to excessive heat since 2020 -- and to what extent climate change is to blame. In 222 out of the 247 countries and territories studied, "climate change at least doubled the average annual number of pregnancy heat-risk days experienced during the past five years", the report said. The biggest increases were in developing countries where access to healthcare is limited, such as in the Caribbean, Central and South America, the Pacific islands, Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The researchers only looked at the rise in potentially dangerous hot days and did not examine the extent to which pregnant women were actually affected by heat in the countries. Ana Bonell, a maternal health and extreme heat researcher at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine not involved in the report, said it "gives clear evidence of the growing exposure risk to extreme heat". The findings could also apply to the elderly, another group who are more at risk during blisteringly hot periods, she told AFP. While researchers are increasingly documenting the many ways that extreme heat can threaten human health, there remain "many unknowns" about the physiological mechanisms to explain why this happens, Bonell said. A large 2024 study in Nature Medicine estimated that heatwaves increase the odds of having a complication during pregnancy by 1.25 times. Beyond wider efforts to fight climate change -- which is largely caused by humans burning fossil fuels -- experts advised local policies to help communities beat the heat. These include "greening neighbourhoods, limiting pollution, creating cool areas and informing residents about the risks," French epidemiologist Lucie Adelaide said. In a statement linked to the new report, she also recommended that existing information about the health risks of heatwaves include warnings for pregnant women, who are currently rarely mentioned in such efforts.
