Record heat waves, exacerbated by climate change, are causing widespread sleep loss across Europe, affecting physical and mental health. A recent poll showed 65% of UK adults struggled to sleep during a June heat wave. Scientists warn of increasing health and socioeconomic inequalities, urging adaptation.
Columbia University research shows chronic, mild sleep deprivation (5-6 hours/night) can lead to weight gain, increased sedentary time, and higher risks for type 2 diabetes and heart disease, challenging modern lifestyles.
A new poll reveals that the recent heatwave in England caused mass sleep deprivation, with two-thirds of people struggling to sleep. Almost half lost three hours of sleep nightly. The heatwave also impacted homes, health, and businesses, leading to calls for polluters to fund necessary upgrades.
Russia's Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev announced Russia will seek to deprive Romania of hosting international gymnastics tournaments after the Russian Gymnastics Federation withdrew from the 2026 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup in Cluj-Napoca due to alleged rule breaches and the mayor's opposition to Russian national symbols.
The author, citing their work on a UN commission of inquiry, condemns Israel's actions in Gaza and the West Bank as war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. They urge the Australian government to take concrete actions, including trade sanctions, accountability measures, and humanitarian aid, to fulfill its international law obligations.
Endocrinologist Zukhra Pavlova warns that lack of sleep can increase anxiety, loneliness, and even lead to joint problems. A recent study linked poor sleep to social isolation, particularly in evening chronotypes, and warned of long-term effects like depression in middle-aged women.
A report warns that proposed changes to England's planning laws will further disadvantage the poorest communities by reducing their access to green spaces and biodiversity. Exemptions for developers, particularly on small and brownfield sites, disproportionately affect deprived areas, exacerbating existing nature poverty.
Manchester has seen the largest drop in inner-city deprivation in Britain since 2010, according to a Centre for Cities report. Mayor Andy Burnham is using the city's economic revival as a model for his political philosophy.
Deprivation and inequality are behind the fall in healthy life expectancy, writes George Binette. Plus letters from Sanghamitra Bandyopadhyay, Dr Louise Lawson and Chris PhillipsonHelen McCarthy writes that today’s struggle “is the right to live a good, meaningful life, and to live it right to the end” (Britain pioneered the comfortable retirement – but that golden age is coming to an end, 2 May). Ironically, her column appeared days after the Health Foundation reported a notable fall of roughly two years in healthy life expectancy across the UK in the decade between 2012-14 and 2022-24 to below 61 years for both men and women – significantly below the state pension age. Among 21 high-income countries, Britain’s ranking slumped from 14th to 20th against this measure, ahead only of the US.The reasons for this relative and absolute decline are, of course, multifaceted, but there is an undeniable link to relative deprivation. With the state pension age continuing to rise and the Tony Blair Institute effectively calling for abolishing the meagre state pension, Prof McCarthy’s assertion that “the right to retire was yesterday’s struggle,” seems dubious at best. Pensioner poverty in Britain remains widespread and far worse than in France and Italy. Continue reading...
A study by University of Cambridge researchers reviewing 44 existing studies found that Black women experience higher levels of oxidative stress, inflammation, and uteroplacental vascular resistance during pregnancy—physiological pathways linked to pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, and foetal growth restrictions. The researchers conclude these differences are not genetic but result from socioenvironmental stressors including systemic racism and socioeconomic deprivation. Black women in the UK are 2.7 times more likely to die during childbirth and Black babies are twice as likely to be stillborn compared to white counterparts.
Healthy life expectancy in the UK has dropped by around two years to just under 61 for both men and women over the past decade, making Britain one of only five of the richest 21 countries to see such a decline. The Health Foundation analysis shows the UK is now ranked 20th out of 21 nations, with only the US performing worse. Wealth disparities are stark—those in the wealthiest areas can expect 20 more years of good health than the poorest. Over 90% of areas now have healthy life expectancy below the state pension age.
Healthy life expectancy in the UK has fallen by around two years to just under 61 for both men and women over the past decade, making Britain one of only five of the richest 21 countries to see a decline. The UK now ranks 20th globally, with only the US performing worse. The Health Foundation analysis cites poverty, poor housing, obesity, and Covid-19 as key factors, warning of significant economic costs as millions face poor health before reaching state pension age.
A new Health Foundation report reveals a 20-year gap in healthy life expectancy between the wealthiest and poorest areas in the UK. Average healthy life expectancy has fallen by about two years over the decade from 2012-14 to 2022-24, with the UK ranking second-lowest among high-income countries. Men in the least deprived areas can expect 69.2 healthy years versus just 49.8 in the most deprived areas, while women show 68.5 years versus 48.2 years. The think tank warns this represents a significant economic cost and should be a watershed moment for policymakers.
