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By Dr. Chinta Sidharthan Jun 11 2024 Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLM

In a recent study published in BMJ Open, researchers assessed how the disruption of infrastructure and decreased access to health and medical services due to extreme weather events impact maternal health in resource-poor regions in low- and middle-income countries.

The review revealed that the findings on the subject were limited, and the mechanisms through which extreme weather events impact maternal health in low-income regions need to be studied extensively.

Study:  Extreme weather events and maternal health in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review . Image Credit: Nelson Antoine/Shutterstock.com Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines maternal health as women's mental and physical health through pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods. Optimal maternal health is intricately linked to the health of the infant.

However, despite the reduction in maternal mortality being a target of one of the sustainable development goals established by the United Nations, poor maternal health consists of many other facets than mortality alone.

Some forms of poor maternal health that also impact the health of the infant include high blood pressure, infection, and obstruction during labor. Mental health issues such as increased stress in the mother have been linked to spontaneous abortions, as well as low birth weight and developmental problems in the infant.

Maternal health can also be impacted by environmental conditions, such as extreme weather events that damage infrastructure and restrict access to medical care. About the study

In the present review, the researchers aimed to understand how disruptions to infrastructure and restricted access to medical and health services due to extreme weather events impact maternal health in low- and middle-income countries. Related StoriesGarlic proves potent in reducing blood sugar and cholesterol, study revealsEnvironmental stressors linked to fetal brain development challengesNSF CAREER award supports development of machine learning tools for preeclampsia detection

Although previous reviews have examined the impact of extreme weather events such as extreme heat and floods on the health of the mother and child in various low-, middle-, and high-income settings, the focus of these reviews has been on birth outcomes and not maternal health.

The researchers conducted the current review to fill the gaps in knowledge on the current assessment of how extreme weather events such as floods, extreme temperatures, hurricanes, and fires impact maternal health, from pregnancy to postpartum health, in middle- and low-income countries.

Extreme weather events were defined in this study as weather variations uncharacteristic of the typical threshold for that geographical region, while the definition of maternal health conformed with that of the WHO, encompassing the health of the mother through the stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and six weeks into the postpartum period.

The extreme weather events considered as exposures in the review included tropical storms, floods, droughts, and extreme heat, among others.

The examined outcomes included various conditions that fall under the umbrella term of maternal health, such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, access to maternal health services, postpartum hemorrhage, as well as malnutrition.

The review only included studies on the impact of extreme weather events on the health of pregnant or postpartum women. Studies involving geophysical events such as tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions were excluded. Those that examined only infant or child health were also excluded. The review did not include policy or opinion pieces or studies based in high-income countries. Results

The findings suggested that extreme weather events had a negative impact on the physical and mental health of the mothers by limiting access to medical services and causing stress and mortality.

A total of 15 studies were included in the review, of which four were quantitative while the remaining were qualitative. The quantitative studies showed that disruptions caused by extreme weather events restricted access to maternal health services, negatively affecting both the mental and physical health of the mothers.

The results from the qualitative studies, which included the perceptions of the women and their lived experiences, supported the findings from the quantitative studies.

The four major outcomes consistent across the quantitative and qualitative studies were problems in accessing maternal health services, malnutrition, stress, and mortality.

However, the review found limited evidence of the impact of extreme weather events on maternal health in low-income settings. Many of these studies, although set in middle- and low-income countries, examined outcomes such as stress among pregnant women residing in high-income settings.

The researchers believe that due to stark differences in the infrastructure and post-disaster support between high-income regions and middle- and low-income settings, these findings cannot be applied to mothers in middle- or low-income regions. Conclusions

Overall, the study found that extreme weather events have a negative impact on maternal health, especially facets of physical and mental health such as stress, malnutrition, access to maternal health services, and mortality.

However, the evidence from middle- and low-income regions is lacking, and more research is required to understand how low resource availability further exacerbates these problems. Journal reference:

Pappas, A., Kovats, S., & Ranganathan, M. (2024). Extreme weather events and maternal health in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review. BMJ Open, 14(6), e079361. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen2023079361. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/6/e079361

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Road to the men’s Frozen Four: Complete schedule, teams at a glance

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March 24, 2025

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Road to the men's Frozen Four: Complete schedule, teams at a glance

Mar 23, 2025, 04:30 PM ET

The 2025 NCAA men’s hockey tournament is set, with the 16-team bracket in place and all roads leading to the Frozen Four in St. Louis.

Regional play begins Thursday, with regional finals Saturday and Sunday, and the Frozen Four will be in St. Louis on April 10 and 12. All games will air on the ESPN networks and stream on ESPN+.

The winners of the six conference tournaments win automatic NCAA berths, while the top 10 at-large teams (based on the PairWise rankings) round out the field.

Boston College, the overall No. 1 seed, will play in the Manchester, New Hampshire, regional — with Big Ten champion Michigan State (Toledo, Ohio), Hockey East champ Maine (Allentown, Pennsylvania) and NCHC champion Western Michigan (Fargo, North Dakota) earning the other three top seeds.

Denver, last year’s national champion, will defend its title as the No. 3 seed in Manchester, while UConn (No. 2 in Allentown) and Bentley (No. 4 in Manchester) are in the NCAA tournament for the first time.

Below is the schedule for entire tournament, which will be updated with results as games are played, plus a look at each of the 16 teams.

Every NCAA tournament game will be available on ESPN+. Subscribe to watch.

Schedule

All times Eastern

Toledo (Ohio) Regional

Semifinals, March 27
Boston University vs. Ohio State, 2 p.m., ESPNU
Michigan State vs. Cornell, 5:30 p.m., ESPN+

Final, March 29
Semifinal winners, 4 or 6:30 p.m., ESPNU

Fargo (N.D.) Regional

Semifinals, March 27
Western Michigan vs. Minnesota State, 5 p.m., ESPNU
Minnesota vs. UMass, 8:30 p.m., ESPN2

Final, March 29
Semifinal winners, 4 or 6:30 p.m., ESPNU

Manchester (N.H.) Regional

Semifinals, March 28
Boston College vs. Bentley, 2 p.m., ESPNU
Providence vs. Denver, 5:30 p.m., ESPN+

Final, March 30
Semifinal winners, 4:30 or 7 p.m., ESPN2

Allentown (Penn.) Regional

Semifinals, March 28
UConn vs. Quinnipiac, 5 p.m., ESPNU
Maine vs. Penn State, 8:30 p.m., ESPN2

Final, March 30
Semifinal winners, 4:30 or 7 p.m., ESPN2

FROZEN FOUR
at Enterprise Center, St. Louis

National semifinals, April 10
Manchester winner vs. Fargo winner, Time TBD, ESPN2
Toledo winner vs. Allentown winner, Time TBD, ESPN2

National championship game, April 12
Semifinal winners, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2

Teams at a glance

Toledo Regional

No. 1 Michigan State

Record: 26-6-4

PairWise rating: No. 2

How the Spartans got here: Big Ten champion

Last 10 games: 6-3-1

History lesson: This is Michigan State’s 29th NCAA appearance. The Spartans have been to the Frozen Four 11 times and have won three national titles, the last in 2007. Michigan State lost to Michigan in the regional finals last season, which was its first time in the tournament since 2012.

No. 2 Boston University

Record: 21-13-2

PairWise rating: 7

How the Terriers got here: At-large bid

Last 10 games: 6-3-1 (lost Hockey East semifinal to Maine)

History lesson: This is BU’s 40th NCAA appearance, including three of the past four years. The Terriers have been to the Frozen Four 24 times and have won five national titles, the last in 2009. The Terriers lost in overtime to Denver in the national semifinals last season, the second straight year they lost in the national semis.

No. 3 Ohio State

Record: 24-13-2

PairWise rating: 10

How the Buckeyes got here: At-large bid

Last 10 games: 5-5 (lost Big Ten final to Michigan State)

History lesson: This is Ohio State’s 12th NCAA appearance and its second in three years. The Buckeyes have been to the Frozen Four twice, most recently in 2018, and have never won the national title.

No. 4 Cornell

Record: 18-10-6

PairWise rating: 17

How the Big Red got here: ECAC champion

Last 10 games: 8-2

History lesson: This is Cornell’s 27th NCAA appearance, including the past three years in a row. The Big Red have been to the Frozen Four eight times and have won the national championship twice, most recently in 1970. Cornell lost to Denver in the regional finals last season.

Fargo Regional

No. 1 Western Michigan

Record: 30-7-1

PairWise rating: 4

How the Broncos got here: NCHC champion

Last 10 games: 8-2

History lesson: This is Western Michigan’s 10th NCAA appearance, including the past four years. The Broncos lost in overtime to Michigan State in the first round last season, falling to 1-10 all time in NCAA tournament play.

No. 2 Minnesota

Record: 25-10-4

PairWise rating: 5

How the Golden Gophers got here: At-large bid

Last 10 games: 5-4-1 (lost Big Ten quarterfinal series to Notre Dame)

History lesson: This is Minnesota’s 42nd NCAA appearance, including the past five years. The Gophers have been to the Frozen Four 23 times and have won five national titles, the last in 2003. Minnesota lost to Boston University in the regional finals last season.

No. 3 UMass

Record: 20-13-5

PairWise rating: 11

How the Minutemen got here: At-large bid

Last 10 games: 5-2-3 (lost Hockey East quarterfinal to BU in overtime)

History lesson: This is UMass’ seventh NCAA appearance, including five of the past six tournaments. The Minutemen have been to the Frozen Four twice and won one national title, in 2021. UMass lost to Denver in double overtime in the first round of last year’s tournament.

No. 4 Minnesota State

Record: 27-8-3

PairWise rating: 14

How the Mavericks got here: CCHA champion

Last 10 games: 9-0-1

History lesson: This is Minnesota State’s 12th NCAA appearance, including six of the last seven tournaments. The Mavericks have been to the Frozen Four twice and are still looking for their first national championship. Minnesota State didn’t make the tournament last year and lost to St. Cloud State in the first round in 2023.

Manchester Regional

No. 1 Boston College

Record: 26-7-2

PairWise rating: 1

How the Eagles got here: At-large bid

Last 10 games: 6-3-1 (lost Hockey East quarterfinal to Northeastern)

History lesson: This is BC’s 39th NCAA appearance. The Eagles have been to the Frozen Four 26 times and have won five national titles, the last in 2012. BC lost to Denver 2-0 in last year’s championship game after not making the tournament the previous two years.

No. 2 Providence

Record: 21-10-5

PairWise rating: 8

How the Friars got here: At-large bid

Last 10 games: 5-4-1 (lost Hockey East quarterfinal to UConn)

History lesson: This is Providence’s 16th NCAA appearance, its first since 2019. The Friars have been to the Frozen Four five times and won the national title once, in 2015.

No. 3 Denver

Record: 29-11-1

PairWise rating: 9

How the Pioneers got here: At-large bid

Last 10 games: 7-3 (lost NCHC final to Western Michigan in double overtime)

History lesson: This is Denver’s 34th NCAA appearance, including 15 of the past 16 tournaments. The Pios have been to the Frozen Four 18 times and won 10 national titles, the most ever. Denver beat BC for the national championship last season, its second title in three years.

No. 4 Bentley

Record: 23-14-2

PairWise rating: 22

How the Falcons got here: Atlantic champion

Last 10 games: 8-2

History lesson: This is Bentley’s first NCAA appearance in the program’s 26th season in Division I and the second year with Andy Jones as coach. The Falcons have set a school record for victories and are enjoying their first winning season since 2020.

Allentown Regional

No. 1 Maine

Record: 24-7-6

PairWise rating: 3

How the Black Bears got here: Hockey East champion

Last 10 games: 6-2-2

History lesson: This is Maine’s 21st NCAA appearance. The Black Bears have been to the Frozen Four 11 times and have won two national titles, the last in 1999. Maine lost to Cornell in the first round last season, its first tournament appearance since 2012.

No. 2 UConn

Record: 22-11-4

PairWise rating: 6

How the Huskies got here: At-large bid

Last 10 games: 8-1-1

History lesson: This is UConn’s first NCAA appearance in the program’s 27 years in Division I. The Huskies set a school record for wins as a Div. 1 team in Mike Cavanaugh’s 11th season at the helm.

No. 3 Quinnipiac

Record: 24-11-2

PairWise ranking: 12

How the Bobcats got here: At-large bid

Last 10 games: 7-3 (lost ECAC semifinal to Cornell in overtime)

History lesson: This is Quinnipiac’s 11th NCAA appearance, including each of the last six tournaments. The Bobcats have been to the Frozen Four three times and won one national title, in 2023. Quinnipiac lost to Boston College in overtime in the regional finals last season.

No. 4 Penn State

Record: 20-13-4

PairWise rating: 13

How the Nittany Lions got here: At-large bid

Last 10 games: 7-2-1 (lost Big Ten semifinal to Ohio State in overtime)

History lesson: This is Penn State’s fifth NCAA appearance. In 2023, the Nittany Lions lost in the regional finals to Michigan in overtime. Penn State has never been to the Frozen Four.

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Goalies Kuemper, Swayman nearly fight, Kings win

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2 hours ago

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March 24, 2025

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Goalies Kuemper, Swayman nearly fight, Kings win

  • Associated Press

Mar 24, 2025, 02:08 AM ET

LOS ANGELES — When Los Angeles goalie Darcy Kuemper came out to center ice ready to fight his Boston Bruins counterpart Jeremy Swayman on Sunday night, Kings coach Jim Hiller was only thinking about all the bad things that could have happened.

Fortunately for Hiller, officials prevented Kuemper and Swayman from actually coming to blows late in the second period of the Kings’ 7-2 win over the Bruins.

“I mean, nobody wants to see that,” Hiller said before catching himself. “Well, I shouldn’t say that. Neither teams’ coaches want to see that because those are some pretty important players you don’t want busting up hands or anything like that.”

The near-fracas came about after Bruins forward Marat Khusnutdinov made contact with Kuemper after he was hit from behind by Kings forward Tanner Jeannot, resulting in a goaltender interference penalty. Kuemper forcefully responded, grabbing Khusnutdinov around the head and neck, taking off the forward’s helmet and drawing a roughing penalty.

Swayman objected to Kuemper’s conduct, coming out to center ice and inviting Kuemper to join him. Kuemper did as he dropped his gloves, prompting Swayman to drop his gloves and take off his helmet. Referee Graham Skilliter got in front of Swayman, and linesman Travis Toomey skated in front of Kuemper and kept the goalies apart.

“He touched one of my guys, and I think that was something I’m not going to accept,” Swayman said. “And kudos to him, he stepped up. Just it got broken up.”

Kuemper and Swayman both received minor penalties for leaving their creases.

“Heated moments, you know,” Kings forward Adrian Kempe said. “It happens. It’s fun for the fans, I guess.”

There has not been a goalie fight in the NHL since the COVID-19 pandemic, with the last scrap between Edmonton’s Mike Smith and Calgary’s Cam Talbot happening on Feb. 1, 2020.

But it hasn’t been for lack of trying. Swayman tried to get Joseph Woll of the Toronto Maple Leafs to fight on March 7, 2024, but Woll declined.

Officials also stepped in to keep St. Louis’ Jordan Binnington and Minnesota’s Marc-Andre Fleury from fighting in March 2023. Binnington was ejected and received a two-game suspension for throwing a punch at Wild forward Ryan Hartman.

For Hiller, it’s easy to understand why he didn’t want Kuemper to put his body at risk. The Kings have the best home record in the NHL at 25-3-4, and Kuemper has not lost in regulation in his past 14 home starts since Dec. 7.

While fans in the arena and on social media were disappointed the brawl never happened, Hiller was happy the goalies were intercepted in time.

“They’re not as agile as the players are, so I think it’s a little easier for the referees to get a hold of those guys, and glad they did,” Hiller said.

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Hurricanes’ Jarvis (head) leaves loss to Kings

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2 hours ago

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March 24, 2025

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Hurricanes' Jarvis (head) leaves loss to Kings

  • Associated Press

Mar 22, 2025, 09:18 PM ET

LOS ANGELES — Carolina Hurricanes forward Seth Jarvis did not return after sustaining an apparent head injury in the third period of a 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday.

Jarvis was pulled down by Kings forward Warren Foegele on a short-handed breakaway early in the third period and went hard into the end boards. Jarvis was helped off the ice by a trainer before going back to the dressing room.

Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour expressed optimism in his postgame news conference that Jarvis had avoided serious injury.

“I think he looks actually all right, but I don’t want to say that because you never know when they wake up the next day,” Brind’Amour said. “But I think we avoided the worst and move on.”

Jarvis leads Carolina with 27 goals and is second on the team with 52 points.

The Hurricanes were already without captain Jordan Staal (lower body) and defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (illness) in the first game of a back-to-back, which concludes with a visit to Anaheim on Sunday. The loss to the Kings ended an eight-game winning streak.

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