In The Media – Page 6 – UC Irvine Wen Public Health

Epoch Health, December 9, 2024

Heat and Changing Temperatures Increase Postpartum Depression Risk

"Unlike factors like relationships and family circumstances, temperature can often be modifiable. Addressing it benefits both mother and baby, as a mother’s depression symptoms can directly affect her baby’s development." (Jun Wu)

Health, December 9, 2024

Study Finds Surprising Health Benefit of Eating Dark Chocolate Every Week

"Observational studies like this one often show associations but cannot definitively prove cause and effect. While the study may suggest a link between dark chocolate consumption and a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, further research—particularly randomized controlled trials—is needed to establish a causal relationship. " (Simin Liu)

UPI, December 9, 2024

Avid use of sweetened beverages increases cardiovascular disease risk, study finds

"This study contributes to our already robust evidence base suggesting that higher intakes of added sugar negatively impact cardiovascular health. Some of the clearest associations with increased cardiovascular disease risk are from sugar-sweetened beverages." (Matthew Landry)

Wired, December 7, 2024

Your Indoor Air’s Dirty Secret Is Under Your Feet

"Many other studies linking PFAS exposure to a variety of health problems including cancer, decreased antibody response to vaccines, and increased cholesterol and triglycerides, and our dose-response analysis for kidney cancer and others for antibody response have showed that health risks are increased even at very low doses, indicating that there might not be any safe level of exposure for these toxicants." (Scott Bartell)

Medpage Today, December 4, 2024

New Study Teases Out Chocolate and Diabetes Connection

"The new findings, while promising, should be interpreted with caution. Observational studies like this can show associations but cannot definitively prove cause and effect. … It's important to consider other lifestyle factors that may be influencing the results." (Simin Liu)

California Health Care Foundation , December 4, 2024

Listening to Older Black Californians

"The intersection of racism and health care continues to have profound effects on Black Americans, particularly as they age. Older Black Americans experience a double burden: the accumulated impact of historical discrimination in jobs, housing, education, and health care, alongside ongoing exposure to systemic racism in the health care system and stressful environmental, social, and economic conditions." (Karen Lincoln)

The Washington Post , December 4, 2024

Milk chocolate or dark? The answer could affect your risk of diabetes.

"It'[s] plausible that the flavonoids in dark chocolate might offer protection against Type 2 diabetes...More rigorous research [is] needed to show cause and effect, and to understand whether there's an optimal amount and frequency of dark chocolate consumption that’s necessary to produce health benefits. " (Simin Liu)

Medical Xpress, December 3, 2024

Extreme heat tied to postpartum depression in Southern California

"Our finding builds upon our team's previous work connecting long-term exposure to air pollution and the increased risk for PPD. Air pollution and heat make a harmful combination on our bodies as rising temps can stimulate our body to absorb more air pollution through sweat, increased skin blood flow, and breathing more." (Jun Wu)

WHYY, November 27, 2024

Fixed is the new ‘new’: Advocates say to consider greener tech purchases this holiday season

"The result is pollution of land, groundwater and occasionally in some parts of the world when they’re burned, in air pollution. The health effects are myriad." (Dele Ogunseitan)

HealthDay, November 26, 2024

Air Pollution Exposure Throughout Pregnancy Ups Risk for Spontaneous Preterm Birth

"Though the causes of spontaneous preterm birth are complex and not fully understood, our study identifies air pollution as a contributing factor, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. " (Jun Wu)