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Associated Press
a day ago
- Health
- Associated Press
Exposure to forever chemicals before birth may raise blood pressure during teen years
Research Highlights: Embargoed until 5:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, June 12, 2025 ( NewMediaWire ) - June 12, 2025 - DALLAS — Children exposed before birth to synthetic compounds called 'forever chemicals' had higher blood pressure during their teenage years, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association. The study is also being presented today at the Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) Conference in Boston. The association between prenatal exposure to forever chemicals and elevated blood pressure was more pronounced among boys and children born to non-Hispanic Black mothers. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a large group of human-made chemicals used to make products resistant to water, grease and stains. People are most exposed to PFAS through drinking water, food and household products, such as food packaging, nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, and personal care products. They are called 'forever chemicals' because they do not break down easily and can build up in the environment or in the body over time. According to previous research, almost everyone in the world is exposed to PFAS through what they eat or drink, breathe or absorb through the skin. In addition, PFAS may also affect the rapidly developing fetus, a particularly sensitive time for exposure to toxic pollutants. Previous studies have also noted that high blood pressure in children increased worldwide between 2000 and 2015, raising the future risk for heart disease and stroke. This is one of the first investigations about the association between prenatal exposure to forever chemicals and offspring blood pressure from early childhood to adolescence among a racially and ethnically diverse population. The study evaluated associations of prenatal PFAS exposures with blood pressure by the child's life stage, sex and maternal race/ethnicity. 'Our study shows that prenatal PFAS exposure is associated with higher blood pressure later in childhood, especially during adolescence,' said Zeyu Li, M.S.P.H., lead author and graduate student researcher at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. 'This suggests these forever chemicals can have long-lasting and potentially harmful effects that may only become apparent years after birth.' The study followed 1,094 children from the Boston Birth Cohort over a median of 12 years, analyzed in conjunction with more than 13,000 blood pressure readings taken at routine pediatric visits. Among children whose mothers had higher concentrations of forever chemicals in blood samples collected after delivery, the analysis found: 'We hope our findings encourage more researchers to follow children into adolescence and beyond,' Li said. 'Many past studies stopped at early or mid-childhood, however, our study shows that the health effects of prenatal PFAS exposure may not appear until the teen years.' While people can try to limit their exposure — by choosing PFAS-free products or cookware — meaningful changes to reduce everyday PFAS exposures requires action at the policy level, researchers said. 'Our results reinforce the need for stronger environmental protections,' said Mingyu Zhang, Ph.D., M.H.S., FAHA, senior author of the study and assistant professor at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School. 'Reducing PFAS exposure — especially during pregnancy and in children — requires policy-level action to limit and phase out PFAS in consumer products and industrial uses, and to strengthen monitoring and regulation of PFAS in water systems. This is not something individuals can solve on their own.' Justin Zachariah, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, chair of the Association's 2024 Scientific Statement Environmental Exposures and Pediatric Cardiology scientific statement, said: 'We must remember that these chemicals last in our bodies for years, suggesting that perhaps prenatal exposure may have occurred before conception, and these chemicals may cause changes that can carry forward for generations. Therefore, improvements we make could echo for generations to come.' The scientific statement summarizes examples of ubiquitous environmental toxicants and pollutants, including the forever chemicals studied by Zhang et al., and their associations with increasingly prevalent precursors and risk factors for cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and congenital heart disease. Zachariah, who was not involved in Zhang et. al's study, is an associate professor of pediatric cardiology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and medical director of the cardiovascular clinical research core at Texas Children's Hospital. He noted that chemicals can interfere with hormones and disrupt usual adolescent development, perhaps including blood pressure. It is already known that boys and Black children are at higher risk of elevated blood pressure, and exposure to these chemicals may contribute to that higher risk, he said. 'If race is indicating socioeconomic disadvantage, shelf-stable processed, packaged foods are more likely to have PFAS exposure than well-rinsed fresh foods,' Zachariah said. 'In addition, the children may have lifestyles that expose them to everyday items heavily burdened with these chemicals such as toys they may chew on, rain jackets, camping tents and more.' He urges all adults to take actions like filtering water and changing cooking implements. Improved product labeling could also inform consumers about PFAS content so they can make healthier choices about exposure to forever chemicals. Study limitations include that PFAS exposure was measured using a single blood sample from the mother taken within three days after delivery, and that fewer children had blood pressure measurements taken during adolescence compared to earlier childhood. Study details, background and design: Co-authors, disclosures and funding sources are listed in the manuscript. Studies published in the American Heart Association's scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content. Overall financial information is available here. Additional Resources: ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173 Bridgette McNeill: [email protected] For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and
Forbes
19-05-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Breast Cancer Deaths Drop In U.S., But Global Gaps Continue To Grow
In high-income countries, breast cancer survival rates have steadily improved. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. In high-income countries, survival rates have steadily improved, but that is only part of the story. A recent study from the American Association for Cancer Research highlights both progress and persistent inequality in the fight against breast cancer. According to the study, breast cancer mortality in U.S. women aged 20 to 49 dropped significantly between 2010 and 2020. The decline was seen across all types of breast cancer and affected women of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. But even with this overall improvement, stark disparities remain. In 2020, non-Hispanic Black women still had the highest mortality rate—3.41 deaths per 100,000, compared to 1.16 per 100,000 among non-Hispanic White women. Breast cancer is less common in Hispanic women, but according to the American Cancer Society, they are also screened less. When diagnosed, the condition is therefore more advanced and tends to be more aggressive. The decline in death rates is particularly noteworthy because breast cancer incidence has been rising, not falling. More women are being diagnosed with the disease than a decade ago. The authors of the study point to improved treatments and increased access to precision medicine as likely reasons why more women are surviving, even as diagnoses become more common. There is no single explanation, but a range of lifestyle and environmental factors appear to play a role. Sedentary behavior, poor diets, obesity, exposure to pollutants and delayed childbirth have all been associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. Women today also tend to have fewer children and breastfeed less, both of which are protective factors. Interestingly, highly educated women are at higher risk of developing breast cancer, likely due to a combination of factors such as postponing childbirth and higher levels of alcohol consumption. At the same time, these women are more likely to participate in regular screening programs and seek medical attention early. As a result, while their individual risk is higher, their chances of surviving the disease are better than those in lower socioeconomic groups. This pattern highlights a recurring theme in cancer care: early detection and access to timely treatment make a major difference. But access is not distributed equally. In the U.S., breast cancer mortality is lowest among women with private insurance. It increases for those covered by Medicare or Medicaid, and is highest for uninsured women. These differences are largely driven by when the cancer is diagnosed and how quickly treatment begins. Race and ethnicity intersect with these factors. Black women in the U.S. not only face systemic barriers to care but are also more likely to develop aggressive forms of breast cancer, such as triple-negative tumors. These types do not respond to hormone therapy and are harder to treat. As a result, survival rates are lower even when treatment is available. Disparities in the stage at which cancer is diagnosed also persist. Black women are 30% to 40% more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage than white women. And globally, the situation is even more concerning. In sub-Saharan Africa, around 75% of women with breast cancer are diagnosed at stage III or IV, when the disease is much harder to treat. The World Health Organization warns that breast cancer deaths are expected to rise globally in the coming years, especially in low- and middle-income countries. While access to mammography, biopsies and modern treatments has become routine in wealthier nations, many women in low-resource settings still face long delays, limited treatment options and stigma around the disease. This means that the encouraging decline in mortality seen in the U.S. and other high-income countries is not reflected worldwide. Instead, we are seeing a widening gap—where some women benefit from early detection and tailored treatment, while others continue to die from breast cancer that could have been detected earlier or treated more effectively. Breast cancer is not just a medical condition—it is also a reflection of broader inequalities in health systems, infrastructure and access to information. Addressing these disparities will require political will, investment in primary care and education and a concerted effort to ensure that no woman dies from breast cancer simply because of where she lives or what she can afford. The decline in mortality is a sign of progress. But it's also a reminder that progress is not shared equally—and that the fight against breast cancer is far from over.
