To identify threats to the health of mothers and children, birth cohort studies look at groups of moms and their babies from birth or even earlier and follow them for many years.
About one in six pregnant women in Australia are now diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Rates have more than doubled since the thresholds for diagnosis were changed.
Improving diabetes care in South Africa requires strong will and support from health authorities, introduction of clinical information systems, the use of technology and digital solutions.
The rapid rise in diabetes mustn’t be overlooked, as it could have devastating health and economic effects. Most national health systems are already struggling with infectious diseases.
Pregnant women exposed to bushfire smoke face a higher risk of complications including gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and giving birth prematurely.
Women who have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But regular checks, a healthy diet and exercise are can help to manage this risk.
Many couples share exercise, eating and weight patterns. Families of women with gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes in the future.
Sarah and Donna are 26 weeks pregnant and have the same blood sugar levels. But while Donna is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, Sarah is spared from the label. It comes down to where she lives.
Childhood trauma impacts women’s health and can be passed from parent to child. New research shows that when new mothers feel supported, the risk of pregnancy complications is reduced.
More of us are labelled as sick with the constantly changing diagnostic cut-offs for diseases. Now an international expert panel has drafted a list of things to consider before setting new thresholds.
Girls who have their first period at a young age are more likely to experience poorer health as a adult, including an elevated risk of diabetes during pregnancy.
It affects nearly one in five women, and half go on to develop type 2 diabetes. It’s one of the great intervention opportunities that public health overseers keep ignoring.
Professor of Medicine, McGill University; Physician-Scientist and Director of the Centre for Outcomes Research and Evaluation at the McGill University Health Centre, McGill University
Director of the Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council, Professor in the Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town