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UMass Chan receives Massachusetts Life Sciences Center funding to advance health equity in pregnancy care and biomedical discovery
UMass Chan Medical School researchers have received funding from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center to advance research using artificial intelligence to improve early identification of pregnancy-induced hypertension and to establish a colorectal cancer biobank that will accelerate biomedical discoveries.
Early eating habits could have lasting effects on dementia risk, study suggests
A study of about 64,000 people found that lower sugar intake during pregnancy and early life was linked to up to 23% lower dementia risk decades later.
What Dad Eats Before Conception May Influence Baby's Health
By HealthDay Staff HealthDay ReporterFRIDAY, July 31, 2026 (HealthDay News) — When it comes to preparing for a healthy pregnancy, the focus is usually on moms. But new research suggests dads' nutrition plays an important role, too. "Maternal nutrition and health before, during and after the baby's ...
Preeclampsia rates in minority communities shed light on the social roots of maternal health disparities
Disproportionate rates of preeclampsia – a potentially dangerous pregnancy complication – in immigrant populations reflect the physical toll of social and economic insecurities.
Opinion: Data disruptions put powerful maternal and child health tool at risk | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
The consequences of disruptions to the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System are falling heaviest on already-vulnerable populations.
Community Baby Shower Taking Place August 15th in Davenport
The Scott County Health Department’s Healthy Pregnancy Coalition is excited to host a Community Baby Shower on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the TMBC Lincoln Center (318 E 7th St, Davenport) from 1 to 3 PM.
Canceled federal grants hit teen pregnancy prevention in Baltimore, rural counties
The federal government's abrupt termination of teen pregnancy prevention funding last month means the loss of more than $3 million to Maryland programs, which are trying to see if they can still offer young people programming for without federal support.
Aubrey Plaza prepares to welcome baby with candid pregnancy photo and new stroller
Aubrey Plaza and Christopher Abbott are brushing up on their stroller skills as they prepare to welcome their first child together.
A single dose reversed autism-like symptoms in adult mice within hours
Even mild inflammation during pregnancy led mouse offspring to develop persistent brain overactivity, sensory sensitivity, repetitive behaviors, and increased seizure risk. Remarkably, one dose of rapamycin improved nearly all of these problems within about two hours. The benefits were temporary, but they suggest that adult brain circuits may remain far more adaptable than previously believed.
Many Ohioans believe pot is safe during pregnancy, alarming health officials
A survey commissioned by the OneOhio Recovery Foundation shows many pregnant women are misinformed about cannabis use during pregnancy.
Cigna expands chronic care management, projects $200M savings
Cigna Healthcare is broadening its AI-enabled care management programs to reach more customers with emerging, complex and chronic health needs. The expanded approach is expected to support 20% more customers across areas including behavioral health, cancer, heart disease, kidney disease and high-risk pregnancy. The initiative combines predictive analytics with AI-enabled tools to help identify customers […]
An Australian woman gives birth to rare identical quadruplet girls
An Australian woman has given birth to identical quadruplet girls after a pregnancy doctors described as incredibly rare
How mental health, environment shape pregnancy sleep
Nearly half of pregnant women in the United States report poor sleep quality, which has been associated with gestational diabetes and high blood pressure during pregnancy. A new study led by researchers ...
Cells from your mother likely infiltrated your brain in the womb, and they could survive for decades, study reveals
Maternal cells that infiltrate children's brains during pregnancy take on different jobs in the brain and may persist into old age.
Christopher Nolan Fans Will Stop at Nothing to See ‘The Odyssey’ in Imax 70mm, From Cross-Country Trips to Delaying Pregnancy
Nothing is going to keep Amber Connaghan, a 29-year-old tech editor who lives in the California desert, from seeing Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” on opening day. Connaghan bought her ticket over a...
All pregnancy-related deaths in Missouri tied to mental health were preventable, report shows
The legislature-mandated report reviewed pregnancy-related deaths between 2019 and 2023. During that period, 340 Missouri women died while pregnant or within one year after the end of a pregnancy.
Second pregnancy changes the brain in surprising new ways
Researchers found that every pregnancy rewires the brain in its own way, with a second pregnancy bringing a different pattern of changes than the first. The discoveries could lead to better ways to recognize and treat maternal mental health challenges, including peripartum depression.
Culturally tailored maternity care lifts healthy birth rates for First Nations families
The Baggarrook Yurrongi or "Women's Journey" model ensures women having a First Nations baby are cared for by a known midwife throughout pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period.
Georgia can do more to protect health coverage for its youngest residents
“If children are well, then the village is well.” This adage beautifully expresses a vital public health concept: A community’s health is best measured by how it protects and nurtures the welfare of its most vulnerable members. As an OB-GYN, I celebrate some of life’s happiest moments with families: a healthy pregnancy, a safe delivery, […]
Science & Medicine: Training health care workers to save lives in Texas maternity care deserts
In the nearly half of Texas counties considered maternity care deserts, few health care workers are trained to handle a pregnancy emergency like maternal cardiac arrest. A simulation-based training program from an expert at UT San Antonio's Kate Marmion School of Public Health aims to change that, and reduce preventable deaths in the process.
Science & Medicine: Training health care workers to save lives in Texas maternity care deserts
In the nearly half of Texas counties considered maternity care deserts, few health care workers are trained to handle a pregnancy emergency like maternal cardiac arrest. A simulation-based training program from an expert at UT San Antonio's Kate Marmion School of Public Health aims to change that, and reduce preventable deaths in the process.
Democrats demand HHS reinstate cancelled teen pregnancy prevention grants
Democrats across both chambers of Congress are demanding the Trump administration reinstate tens of millions of dollars in teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) grants that were suddenly cancelled last w…
Rep. Young Kim Introduces Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Act to Strengthen U.S. Leadership, Support American Jobs, and Help Families Globally
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Act to deploy proven, American-made interventions that reduce maternal and child mortality around the globe while supporting U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. Each year, nearly 260,000 women die from preventable pregnancy-related complications. Evidence-based solutions like Multiple Micronutrient Supplement (MMS) prenatal vitamins,
State health officials celebrate extended Medicaid coverage after pregnancy
Eligible pregnant people can now qualify for one year of Medicaid coverage postpartum instead of only 60 days, thanks to a state law passed earlier this year.
Trump administration ends $1.2M in federal grants for Wisconsin teen health programs
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services notified funding recipients on Saturday that the federal government had abruptly terminated a $1.2 million annual Teen Pregnancy Prevention grant, according to a letter shared with Wisconsin Public Radio.
Recent Research on How Experiencing Racial Discrimination Impacts Health
This brief provides an overview of the relationship between racial discrimination and health and highlights research examining mechanisms underlying health outcomes linked to experiences of racial discrimination, including biological changes, chronic stress, mental health, substance use, pregnancy-related outcomes, and sleep.
Teen pregnancy prevention cuts hit Wisconsin program connecting health providers and teens
Federal officials have cut off more than $2.4 million in federal funds for 2026-27 and 2027-28 targeting teen pregnancy prevention that would have gone to the Wisconsin health department, according to federal records. The funds would have gone to a variety of nonprofits and agencies in counties with the highest rates of pregnancy and sexually […]
Federal health agency cancels most of its teen pregnancy prevention grants, including some in Pa.
A spokesperson for U.S. Health and Human Services confirmed to Stateline on Friday that the agency is canceling 53 out of 67 grants, worth about $68 million, under the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, affecting grantees in more than two dozen states. A list obtained by Stateline of canceled grants includes those awarded to universities, community […]
Efzimfotase alfa demonstrated improvements in bone health in treatment-naïve pediatric patients with hypophosphatasia achieving median difference of 1.67 vs placebo in RGI-C Score at week 25 in MULBERRY Phase III trial
Positive results from the MULBERRY Phase III trial showed that efzimfotase alfa (ALXN1850), an investigational enzyme replacement therapy, demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in bone health in children (2 to
Reproduction affects health—and so does biological sex
Starting one's sex life and having children at a young age can run in the family. But can pregnancy have beneficial health effects, and do the partner's genes contribute to them? "We are just beginning ...
Federal health agency cancels most of its teen pregnancy prevention grants
A spokesperson for U.S. Health and Human Services confirmed to Stateline on Friday that the agency is canceling 53 out of 67 grants, worth about $68 million, under the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, affecting grantees in more than two dozen states.
Kylie Jenner's former chef alleges 'intense' workload led to miscarriage
Kylie Jenner has been hit with a third workplace lawsuit as her former chef claims the job's "intense" demands led to a pregnancy loss.
Usha Vance mocks NYT article over 'political significance' of pregnancy outfits
Second lady Usha Vance mocks a New York Times article scrutinizing the 'political significance' of her maternity outfits.
Mom's Good Heart Health Lowers Risk Of Baby's Developmental Delays
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay ReporterWEDNESDAY, June 24, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Want to give your baby the best start in life? Then tend to your heart health, both prior to and during pregnancy, a new study says. Expectant mothers in worse heart health are more likely to have children who suffer ...
April B & Shenelle Simone talk about latest entertainment news
April B and Shenelle Simone joined Good Day Atlanta on Monday with the latest entertainment headlines, including Jelly Roll divorce, Anne Hathaway pregnancy, death of Tay Keith and more.
Barbra Streisand posts photo celebrating Anne Hathaway’s pregnancy
Hathaway shares sons Jonathan and Jack with husband Adam Shulman.
Barbra Streisand posts photo celebrating Anne Hathaway’s pregnancy
Barbra Streisand cradles Anne Hathaway's baby bump in photo celebrating her pregnancy.
New Belleville resource hub hopes to curb maternal health care gaps in St. Clair County
A new maternal health resource center in Belleville is working to fill critical gaps in pregnancy and postpartum support in what leaders call a “maternal care desert,” offering services for mothers and families across St. Clair County and the region.
New Listening Mothers survey: Pregnant patients struggling on Medicaid
A national maternal health survey found many mothers felt unheard during pregnancy and birth, with Medicaid patients reporting worse outcomes.
Popular weight-loss drugs linked to unexpected male fertility benefit
GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide and liraglutide do not appear to suppress male hormones and may boost fertility in obese men, new research suggests.
Trump changes pregnancy-prevention program to promote childbearing
A federal poverty-fighting program focused on reducing unintended pregnancies is about to undergo a major overhaul. Reproductive health clinics use Title X federal grant money to provide birth control, cancer screenings and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections to people with little or no health insurance. Title X money cannot be used for abortions. The […]
Adolescent sexual health continues to improve in Minnesota, but stark disparities persist
Teen pregnancy, birth, and STI rates continued to decline in Minnesota in 2024, though significant racial and geographic disparities remain, according to a University of Minnesota report.
Study: Less sedentary time, more light activity may lower key health risk in pregnancy
University of Iowa researchers recommend a daily mix of movement and sleep, along with a cap on sedentary time, to lower the risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.
Pregnant women may reduce key health risk through less sitting, more light exercise
Women who engage in light physical activity and lessen their sedentary time may significantly reduce the risk of key health problems during pregnancy, according to a new University of Iowa-led study. ...
She Paid $20,000 For Her Own Pregnancy, Then Built The Fix For Medicaid Moms
Malama Health's doula-led model cuts preterm births 45% for Medicaid moms. Mika Eddy is building the maternal care infrastructure America never had.
How a new program at Henry Ford can help new moms, from pregnancy and beyond
Upcoming billing change could make pregnancy pricier
Rx Kids linked to reductions in preterm births and low birthweights, fewer NICU admissions
A pregnancy and postnatal cash prescription program in Flint Michigan has been linked to improved birth outcomes including reduced rates of low birthweight, preterm birth and NICU admission.
Contraception For Teens: Let's Talk About It
By Mahvash Madni, MD, FAAP HealthDay ReporterSATURDAY, May 30, 2026 (HealthDay News) — Contraception is not just about preventing an unwanted pregnancy. Experts say it’s also an important part of adolescent health care, helping regulate menstrual cycles, manage painful symptoms and treat some hormone-related conditions. Understanding the ...
Maternal health knowledge strong, but gaps remain, survey finds
Most Americans know that how well a mother takes care of herself before and during pregnancy affects the health of a baby, but many people remain unclear about some specific maternal health recommendations, ...
What Your Pregnancy Can Reveal About Your Future Heart Health
A history of preeclampsia doesn’t mean heart disease is inevitable, but experts say it’s valuable information that can help guide prevention, postpartum follow-up and lifelong heart care.
We left jobs to start consulting firm that's raised $580K, wasn't easy
Felicia Jones Taylor and Alexandra Tyson left education to launch a consulting firm. Through pregnancy loss and divorce, they persevered.
A Discrepancy in Who Gets Diabetes During Pregnancy
One group is an outlier for gestational-diabetes risk, and no one can yet say why.
The science of elite soccer players returning to play after pregnancy and managing pressure
The Athletic explores the intersection of professional soccer and motherhood.
Pregnancy can bring anxiety and grief; experts urge support for moms-to-be and new mothers
Higher vitamin D intake in pregnancy linked to some cognitive benefits in children
Researchers are studying whether taking extra vitamin D during pregnancy could affect their babies’ brain development.
Science for Living: Managing type 2 diabetes in pregnancy
As more people enter pregnancy with type 2 diabetes, researchers and clinicians at UMass Chan are studying new ways to improve care before, during and after pregnancy.
Your kid's more likely to eat vegetables if you stick to an easy healthy habit during pregnancy
Caitlin Howell: I’m carrying an unviable pregnancy this Mother’s Day; Florida law is forcing me to keep it.
A Florida miscarriage became a Mother’s Day nightmare.
‘You are not alone’: Houston experts shine light on hidden struggles of motherhood
Some women on Mother's Day are navigating the mental and physical health impacts associated with the stigma of pregnancy and child loss.
Allyson Felix and me: A Mother’s Day reflection on the health crisis of preeclampsia
The track star's pregnancy experience brought change to women's sports, and also a life-threatening condition that deserves more attention.
Motherhood, maternal risk, and the WNBA: What I learned reporting through pregnancy
For women in sports, motherhood is a significant risk. But not for the reason that might come to mind.
Advancing maternal health: How HCA Healthcare supports moms from pregnancy to postpartum
HCA Healthcare experts explain how we support moms and moms-to-be through education, clinical innovation and compassionate, coordinated care.
Changing the System to Support Maternal Mental Health
In the Greater Washington region, infant and maternal health is in peril. Black women make up about half of all births in DC but account for 90% of pregnancy-related deaths. This crisis is fueled in part by the structural failure to prioritize maternal mental health. Until policy and practice reflect this truth, outcomes will continue
Experts: Midwives are the solution to Black maternal health disparities
Midwives do more than birth babies, and their role in pregnancy and childbirth is being re-evaluated as a way to reduce the high rate of maternal mortality ...
Supreme Court lets faith-based pregnancy centers fight subpoena on First Amendment grounds
The US Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a group of faith-based “crisis pregnancy centers” in New Jersey to fight a subpoena from the state’s Democratic attorney general.
Study: Higher Maternal Death Rate in States With Abortion Bans | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Findings point to potential 9% rise in pregnancy-associated and pregnancy-related mortality
I made a maternity product out of necessity. Now I run a company.
Ingrid Carney turned a pregnancy wardrobe problem into Ingrid & Isabel, a successful company she chose to grow without VC funding.
Home blood pressure checks could reduce risks after hypertensive pregnancy
Study finds monitoring and adjustment of medication where needed can help protect mothers’ heart health
How unexpected pregnancy reshaped my van life and tiny house journey
We set out in our camper van in hopes of finding a place in the country to settle down long-term. Our timeline was sped up when I got pregnant.
Mississippi governor says he will call special session to redraw district maps after SCOTUS ruling
Mississippi's governor announces a special session to redraw district lines, saying the Supreme Court's ruling in a key case could change electoral maps.
The Benefits of Beet Juice For Women’s Health
Beets, and by extension, beet juice, are packed with nutrients that benefit different stages of women's health, including menstruation, pregnancy, and post-menopause.
The Death of Public Health
During the recent measles outbreak, the largest in more than 30 years, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. refused to clearly recommend the measles vaccine, saying instead that it was a “personal decision,” and that parents should “do their own research.” Similarly, during her recent confirmation hearing for United States Surgeon General, Casey Means was questioned by Senator William Cassidy (R, La). “You’re the nation’s doctor,” said Cassidy. “Would you encourage [a mother] to have her child vaccinated!” “I’m not an individual’s doctor,” Means said. “And every individual needs to talk to their doctor before putting a medication in their body.” In June 2025, Marty Makary, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said that COVID vaccines for pregnant women should be a “personal choice”, even though every other country in the world recommended the COVID vaccine during pregnancy due to a higher risk for severe disease. It doesn’t end there. On January 5, 2026, RFK Jr. reduced the number of routinely recommended vaccines from 18 to 10. For vaccines that protected against influenza, COVID, and rotavirus, parents were urged to speak with their doctors—to make an individual choice. (On March 16, 2026, in a ruling by a federal court in Boston, RFK Jr.’s revised schedule was invalidated.) What’s happening? Why are public health officials moving away from making recommendations for the public? The origin of this change might be rooted in the first two years of the COVID pandemic. In 2020, during the first year on the pandemic, we didn’t have anything to stop a virus that was killing hundreds of people a day and could be spread asymptomatically. We didn’t have antivirals until October, monoclonal antibodies until November, and vaccines until December. All we could do was restrict travel, close businesses, shutter schools, and mask, isolate, quarantine, test, and social distance. During the second year of the pandemic, when we had vaccines to prevent COVID, people couldn’t go anywhere without their vaccine cards. They couldn’t go to their favorite bar or restaurant or sporting event or place of worship without proof of vaccination. Some people were fired from their jobs for refusing to get vaccinated. For many, this was seen as massive government overreach and energized what has been called the “medical freedom movement.” Indeed, a headline in the New York Times declared, “How Health Freedom Became a Winning Rally Cry.” As expressed in the comments of RFK Jr., Casey Means, and Marty Makary, the medical freedom movement focuses on the individual not the community—the opposite of public health. In an article titled “Ethics and Social Value Judgments in Public Health,” ethicists from Yale University distinguished public health from medical freedom. “Public health policies,” they wrote, “are population oriented. Because individual health affects the health of others, public health measures regulate individual behavior to achieve population health goals. All raise questions about how individual autonomy and freedom should be balanced against public health interests…which respects individuals’ sovereignty over their bodies and actions as long as their actions do not harm others.” The medical freedom movement fails to recognize that it often limits the freedom of others. For example, a parent who is afraid to send a child to school where many of the students are unvaccinated. Or immune compromised children who depend on those around them to for protection. The question then becomes “Freedom for whom?” Is it your right, in the name of medical freedom, to catch and transmit a potentially fatal infection—and in so doing, take away the freedom of others? In Four Essays on Liberty, Isaiah Berlin sums it up best. “Liberty for the wolves,” he wrote, “is death to the lambs.” Thanks for reading Beyond the Noise! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Subscribe
Politicians are using low teen birth rates to further restrict access to birth control, abortion
“Both narratives — that teen birth rates are too high or too low — problematize teen pregnancy and childbearing,” writes Riley J. Steiner.
Psychoactive Drug Patterns Before, During and Just After Pregnancy
Fewer than one-fourth of women who had prescriptions for anti-depressives before becoming pregnant kept them throughout pregnancy, recent Cleveland Clinic research shows.
Texas Medical Board sanctions three doctors for delayed care that led to the deaths of two pregnant women
The Texas Medical Board has disciplined three doctors ProPublica previously investigated whose patients died after receiving delayed or inappropriate pregnancy care under the state’s strict abortion ban.
Healthcare disparities at the forefront during Black Maternal Health Week, as one AZ mother shares her journey
Experts say most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, but gaps in care and communication continue to put Black women at higher risk.
Black Maternal Health Week: PRH in Action
PRH highlights Black Maternal Health Week 2026, addressing pregnancy criminalization, racial inequities, and solutions for equitable care.
Pregnancy is more risky for Black moms. What a doctor says partners can do to help
Locally and nationally, Black women are at a much higher risk than women of other races of dying during pregnancy, or the year after.
Tylenol in pregnancy not linked with autism, Danish study finds
The use of Tylenol by women during pregnancy was not associated with autism in their children, according to results of a nationwide study in Denmark published on Monday.
Tylenol in pregnancy not linked with autism, Danish study finds
The use of Tylenol by women during pregnancy was not associated with autism in their children, according to results of a nationwide study in Denmark published on Monday.
Northwestern Medicine provides guidance for improving Black maternal health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 80% of deaths related to pregnancy are preventable, and Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
The cast of 'Juno': See the stars of the 2007 Oscar winner, then and now
‘Juno’ put teen pregnancy in the spotlight and made a splash at the Academy Awards in 2007. Find out what the cast is doing now.
Spring Mountain Treatment Center launches program to support moms’ mental health
Pregnancy and the early years of motherhood can be an emotional time, but for some women it can also bring serious mental health challenges. Spring Mountain Tre
Advancing equity for Black mothers through better nutrition
Discover how better nutrition, cultural support and community action can improve Black maternal health and reduce preventable pregnancy risks.
'No one knows what they are': Researchers discover new type of cell that's seen only during pregnancy
A new map of the "maternal-fetal interface" reveals a new type of cell, as well as the types of cells most likely to be affected in conditions like preeclampsia.
Virtual summit focuses on Black maternal health
A virtual summit hosted will bring medical experts together to discuss maternal health risks, resources, and disparities affecting Black mothers.
Elina Svitolina climbs into Serena Williams’ ranking territory
Elina Svitolina hits ranking milestone matched only by Serena WilliamsSince returning to the WTA Tour following her pregnancy in 2023, Elina Svitolina has experienced a notable resurgence in her career. The Ukrainian has picked up three WTA titles since then, the most recent being the ASB Classic at the beginning of the 2026 season.
UConn Health Team Navigates Rare Pregnancy Condition to Deliver Healthy Baby
A rare pregnancy complication turned Andrea Garfield’s journey into a race against time, but early detection and coordinated care at UConn Health helped del ...
Disney's latest short film 'Versa' tackles a difficult subject: Pregnancy loss. It's resonating with viewers.
The animated short "Versa," currently streaming on Disney+, uses dance and music to tell a story of grief.
Cardiovascular health in pregnancy according to Life’s Essential 8 score
npj Cardiovascular Health - Cardiovascular health in pregnancy according to Life’s Essential 8 score
How to improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy as more women are having babies later in life
More and more women are having babies later in life. A federal report showed that 21% of all births in the U.S. were to women 35 and older in 2023, up from 8.8% in 1990.
Mental health issues plague new moms in the military. The Pentagon is supposed to help
By Jennifer Brookland The War Horse Shawna Bush had been blissfully ignorant during her pregnancy: happy, excited, and expecting the best out of motherhood. It took just two days for the wrecking ball of postpartum depression to demolish her joy and leave her sobbing on the couch. “It hit me like a train,” Bush said. […]
A North Texas health coalition tackles maternal deaths
The Maternal Health Accelerator, a North Texas initiative, addresses a persistent problem: the high number of pregnancy-related deaths in our state.
Can pesticide exposure before pregnancy affect babies’ health?
A new study suggests a correlation between certain chemical compounds and lower newborn health scores.
Glyphosate: A story of science, risk, and nuance
In the summer of 2014, a California groundskeeper named Dewayne Johnson started noticing patches of raw, weeping skin spreading across his body. He had spent years applying Roundup, Monsanto’s glyphosate-based herbicide, for a school district, sometimes drenched in it when equipment malfunctioned. By 2014, he had a diagnosis: non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. In 2018, a jury awarded him $289 million in damages, later reduced on appeal. Tens of thousands of lawsuits followed. The story hasn’t quieted down. It’s all over the internet, swinging between “this will kill you, buy organic” and “relax, you’re fear-mongering.” Some of that recent chatter stems from an Executive Order protecting glyphosate and its production, which set off intense infighting within the MAHA movement. Some of it reflects a deeper truth: Americans genuinely care about harmful chemicals in their environment (see poll below). And the conversation isn’t going anywhere, with a Supreme Court case involving Monsanto set for this April. Glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) is one of the most widely used herbicides in the world. But does glyphosate cause cancer? And how much exposure is actually risky? With so much mistrust in institutions and corporations (and some genuine conflicts of interest), making sense of the actual scientific evidence is genuinely hard. Here is a translation of what the scientific evidence actually says. Does glyphosate cause harm? Glyphosate is an herbicide that kills most plants it contacts rather than targeting specific species. It works by blocking an enzyme pathway (EPSPS) that plants and many microorganisms need to produce essential amino acids. Without those amino acids, the plant can’t grow and dies. Glyphosate was first developed by Monsanto in the 1970s and became ubiquitous after the company introduced “Roundup Ready” crops in the 1990s. In 2024, Bayer removed glyphosate from residential Roundup-branded products due to litigation pressure. But today it is still the most widely used herbicide in the world. Farmers also discovered they could spray it directly on crops like oats, lentils, beans, and peas just before harvest to dry them out faster and make harvesting easier. Because of its widespread use, it’s obviously really important to understand if it’s harmful to humans. The key principle: The dose makes the poison The most important concept in toxicology is that “the dose makes the poison.” Sixteenth-century physician Paracelsus articulated what remains the foundational principle of toxicology: sola dosis facit venenum. Water will kill you if you drink enough of it. Aspirin saves lives at 81 milligrams and causes internal bleeding at higher chronic doses. So, at what dose is glyphosate poisonous? The LD50 in rats (the dose that kills half the test animals) is around 5,600 mg/kg body weight. Table salt is roughly 3,000 mg/kg. By that classic measure, glyphosate is less acutely toxic than salt. But some people are exposed to a lot of glyphosate through their work. And among the general public, there are many questions about low-dose, cumulative exposure from multiple sources over long periods. Does glyphosate cause health problems? Cancer Correlation maps are striking, with one analysis finding that 60% of counties that spray the most glyphosate have non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma rates above the national average. But correlation alone doesn’t establish cause, which is why animal and human studies matter. In animals: Rat studies are typically what most fear is rooted in, but most people don’t know the study details on the dosage given to rats. A pooled analysis of the 13 most rigorous rat studies found evidence that very high doses, around 55,000 times greater than typical food residue exposure, can cause certain cancers. In humans: One of the strongest studies followed 55,000 herbicide users over 20 years and found no overall increased cancer risk. There was one signal: among those with the highest use, rates of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) appeared elevated. A broader meta-analysis of 18 human studies also found no overall cancer risk, though a separate meta-analysis focused specifically on non-Hodgkin lymphoma found that people with high cumulative glyphosate exposure faced a 41% higher relative risk compared to those with low or no exposure. These human studies are observational studies (randomized controlled trials would be unethical), and meta-analyses are only as reliable as the studies they pool. But the story seems consistent: at very high exposure levels, there may be some cancer risk. But that’s about as far as the science currently takes us. Emerging research: gut and reproductive health Gut: Because glyphosate targets a pathway that exists in some gut bacteria, scientists have questioned whether it could affect the microbiome. In mice, a 2023 University of Iowa study found that glyphosate altered gut bacterial composition and raised markers of intestinal inflammation. A 2024 systematic review found similar patterns: disrupted gut bacteria and problems with the mucus layer that protects the intestinal wall in mice. Whether this translates to humans is an open question. The human gut is highly variable and resistant, and we don't yet have strong studies confirming the same effects in people. Reproductive health: Animal studies have found that glyphosate-based herbicides can interfere with reproductive hormones, including disrupting egg cell development in mice and reducing the number of eggs available in sheep’s ovaries. However, the doses used in these experiments were high, so it’s not yet clear whether the same effects would occur in humans. On the human side, a 2021 pilot study led by Mount Sinai researchers tested urine samples from pregnant women across the U.S. and found glyphosate in 95% of them. The study also found a possible connection between higher glyphosate exposure during pregnancy and a subtle physical difference measured in female newborns. That said, some connections weren’t statistically reliable and this was a small study. The researchers themselves said more and larger studies are needed before drawing firm conclusions. What do regulators say about glyphosate safety? In 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A). The classification is worth taking seriously. But, there’s an important distinction: IARC classifies hazard, meaning the potential to cause harm under some conditions. It does not assess risk, which accounts for actual exposure levels and the real-world probability of harm. The U.S. EPA, the European Food Safety Authority, Health Canada, and regulatory agencies in Australia and Japan have all concluded that glyphosate is “unlikely to be carcinogenic to humans” at realistic exposure levels. They’re asking a different question: given how much of this people actually encounter, what is the probability of harm? Your actual exposure is what determines your actual risk. What does glyphosate mean for your daily life? At the grocery store: Food residues are small. The EPA’s acceptable daily intake is 1.75 mg/kg of body weight per day. To hit that threshold from oatmeal alone, a 150-pound adult would need to eat roughly 50 pounds of oats every day. But this calculation addresses only one pathway (food), and we don’t yet have robust tools to measure people’s actual total exposure. If reducing exposure matters to you, organic certification prohibits synthetic herbicides, and organic oat products generally test at lower or undetectable levels. Either way, a diet rich in whole grains, conventional or organic, is far better for your health than one that omits them out of fear of residues. On the farm: Occupational exposure is orders of magnitude higher than consumer exposure. Farmers and farm workers who mix, load, and apply glyphosate-based herbicides, especially without protective equipment, face meaningfully different risk profiles. Proper PPE isn’t optional. Integrated weed management strategies that rotate chemical modes of action are also worth taking seriously, both for health and for long-term effectiveness. If you live near a farm: Spray drift is real. Concentrations near field edges can spike during and after application, particularly on windy days. This is an area where I think public health could really step up and empower rural communities with buffer zones, rather than placing the onus on individuals. But for now, knowing your local agricultural calendar and keeping windows closed during application are the first steps. Bottom line Dewayne Johnson was exposed to glyphosate at levels most people will never encounter, and a jury decided he deserved compensation. That outcome is not evidence that the oatmeal in your pantry is dangerous. But it is a reminder that the dose, the context, and the person doing the exposing all matter enormously. Glyphosate is a chemical tool with benefits, trade-offs, and genuine open scientific questions. Learning to hold that complexity without collapsing into panic or dismissal is, honestly, one of the most useful and hardest things to do in navigating modern health science. Love, YLE Your Local Epidemiologist (YLE) is founded and operated by Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, MPH PhD—an epidemiologist, wife, and mom of two little girls. Hannah Totte, MPH, is an epidemiologist and YLE Community Manager. YLE reaches more than 425,000 people in over 132 countries with one goal: “Translate” the ever-evolving public health science so that people will be well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions. This newsletter is free to everyone, thanks to the generous support of fellow YLE community members. To support the effort, subscribe or upgrade below: Subscribe
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