Prevalence of hypertension, or high blood pressure, among children and teenagers has almost doubled over the past two decades, rising from 3.2% in 2000 to more than 6% in 2020, according to a global analysis published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health journal. If left unchecked, high blood pressure can lead to serious problems such as cardiovascular disease and kidney damage.

Estimates also suggest that nearly one in five children and adolescents living with obesity have hypertension—roughly eight times higher than among those at a healthy weight (2.4%), researchers, including those from the University of Edinburgh in the UK, said. But what is driving this worrying trend?

High Blood Pressure Cases in Children and Teens Doubled Over 20 Years

The global rate of high blood pressure among children and teenagers has nearly doubled due to a dangerous mix of poor diets, low physical activity, and rising obesity levels, according to the largest review of its kind.

Health experts warned that 114 million children who have developed hypertension before reaching adulthood face potentially lifelong health risks, including cardiovascular disease, kidney problems, and other serious complications.

The prevalence of high blood pressure in those under 19 increased to 6.2%, up from 3.2% in just 20 years. The findings are based on a meta-analysis of 96 studies covering more than 400,000 children across 21 countries and were published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.

Obesity and Lifestyle Habits Driving the Surge in Childhood Hypertension

The review highlighted obesity as a major driver of the sharp rise in childhood hypertension, with nearly 19% of children with obesity affected compared with less than 3% of those at a healthy weight.

“The near doubling of childhood high blood pressure over two decades should be a wake-up call for doctors and caregivers alike,” said study author Prof Igor Rudan, director of the Centre for Global Health Research at Edinburgh University’s Usher Institute, as per CNN.

The study also found that an additional 8.2% of children and teenagers have prehypertension, meaning their blood pressure is higher than normal but does not yet meet the criteria for hypertension.

Doctors noted that blood pressure tends to rise sharply in early adolescence, peaking around age 14, especially in boys. This underscores the importance of regular screening during these critical years.

Early Detection and Healthy Habits To Protect Children From Hypertension

Encouraging healthy habits, such as a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting salt and sugar intake, can greatly reduce the risk of hypertension. Regular physical activity and limiting sedentary behaviours, including too much screen time, are also key.

For families with a history of high blood pressure, regular monitoring at home is strongly recommended. Early detection of elevated blood pressure can help reduce the risk of long-term complications.

The good news is that obesity-related high blood pressure can be reversed. However, Prof Bryan Williams, chief scientific and medical officer of the British Heart Foundation stressed that governments must also take action to prevent childhood obesity in the first place. “This includes expanding restrictions on advertising unhealthy foods and exploring ways to encourage the food industry to make everyday products healthier.”

Adolf Hitler may have lived with a rare genetic disorder known as Kallmann Syndrome, according to researchers and documentary producers who carried out DNA testing on what they say is the Nazi leader’s blood. The Cleveland Clinic notes that this condition can interfere with the start of puberty and may result in traits such as undescended testicles and a micropenis.

The new findings also rule out a long-standing rumor that Hitler had Jewish heritage, the research team said.

Hitler Likely Had Kallmann Syndrome, New DNA Investigation Suggests

For decades, wartime songs and jokes poked fun at Hitler’s genitalia, though none of those claims had scientific support. Now, an international group of historians and scientists believes their results strengthen theories about abnormalities in his sexual development.

Alex Kay of the University of Potsdam said the diagnosis could help explain Hitler’s lifelong distance from women and his probable lack of intimate relationships. “No one has really been able to account for his discomfort with women,” Kay noted, as per CBS News, “If he had Kallmann Syndrome, this may offer the explanation that has been missing.”

The full findings appear in an upcoming documentary titled Hitler’s DNA: Blueprint of a Dictator.

What Is Kallmann Syndrome?

Kallmann syndrome is an inherited condition in which puberty is either greatly delayed or does not begin at all, and the affected person also has a reduced or absent sense of smell. It stems from a shortfall of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), a key hormone that signals the body to start puberty and develop sexual characteristics.

In this disorder, certain neurons that should move from the nasal region to the brain during early development do not reach their destination. As a result, the sense of smell is impaired and the olfactory bulbs remain poorly formed. The syndrome may appear alongside other birth defects and is seen far more often in males.

How Researchers Obtained Hitler’s DNA

As per The Guardian, according to the team, the genetic material was taken from a fragment of fabric believed to come from the sofa where Hitler killed himself. Their analysis pointed to a high likelihood of Kallmann Syndrome.

Britain’s Guardian, which reviewed the documentary, cautioned that the researchers were unable to collect new DNA from any of Hitler’s surviving relatives in Austria or the United States. Those family members, the newspaper said, declined participation because they wished to avoid publicity.

Claims And Criticism Around Psychological Predispositions

Producers at Blink Films, which created the documentary, reported that the DNA sample showed unusually high polygenic risk scores for autism, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. The Guardian highlighted that many experts remain skeptical of using these scores to comment on an individual’s mental health risk.

David Curtis, an honorary professor at University College London’s Genetics Institute, told the newspaper that such scores speak to trends in large groups, not to precise predictions about one person. Even someone in the highest percentile may still face only a small actual chance of developing a condition.

The research team added that even if Hitler had these predispositions, they could not excuse or rationalize his political decisions or the atrocities carried out under his command. World War II claimed more than 50 million lives, including six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust.

Geneticist Turi King, known for identifying the remains of King Richard III and who contributed to this project, remarked that the results place Hitler among the groups targeted by his own eugenics policies. “If he had been able to examine his own DNA,” she said, “he almost certainly would have condemned himself.”

DNA Findings Reject Myth of Jewish Ancestry

The study also challenges the rumor that Hitler’s paternal grandmother became pregnant by a Jewish employer. According to the production team, Y chromosome evidence matches that of Hitler’s known male-line relative, which would not have been possible if the pregnancy had resulted from an unrelated man.

The myth resurfaced in 2022 when Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, invoked it while defending the invasion of Ukraine and repeating the Kremlin’s claim that its goal was to “denazify” a country led by Jewish president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

NHS doctor and regular BBC guest star Dr Punam has shared a warning about a flu variant that appears to be more severe for children than strains seen in previous years. Speaking on BBC Morning Live on Friday, she explained why many in the medical field are paying close attention to the current flu season.

Dr Punam noted that people often brush off flu concerns, but this winter is prompting far more worry. She pointed out that the rise in cases normally appears toward the end of November. This year, however, the surge began in early October. According to her, this has left many people without adequate protection, as recent NHS vaccination drives have tended to start later in the year.

She repeated that the early spike is unusual and has added to concerns. She also highlighted that a new form of the virus has now appeared. She said the usual strain has undergone a mutation during the summer. Health services look to Australia each year for early signs, and their winter season has been especially harsh, giving the UK a strong indication of what may come.

What Is The New Flu Strain Spreading in UK?

The current form of H3N2 is moving quickly across several regions. Dr. Wenqing Zhang, who leads the World Health Organization’s Global Respiratory Threats Unit, said at a recent media briefing that it has begun to dominate in a number of Northern Hemisphere countries.

James Mackey, head of the U.K.’s National Health Service, added that this winter may be one of the most demanding periods staff have ever handled. Experts do not see this as a situation on the level of a pandemic, but it still poses notable risks for older adults and those who already live with health conditions.

The doctor strongly encouraged eligible groups to get their flu vaccinations without delay. She also stressed that the new strain could be more damaging for children than those seen previously. The children’s flu vaccine is available for those aged 2 to 3 years, school-aged children from Reception to Year 11, and children with certain chronic conditions. If a child has missed their scheduled dose, parents can book a free NHS appointment through a pharmacy or the NHS App.

Who Is Eligible For A Free NHS Flu Jab This Autumn And Winter?

• Pregnant women
• All children who were aged 2 or 3 years on August 31, 2025
• Children with certain long-term health conditions (aged 6 months to under 18 years)
• Primary school aged children (Reception to Year 6)
• Secondary school aged children (Year 7 to Year 11)
• All children in clinical risk groups aged 6 months to under 18 years
• Everyone aged 65 and older
• Adults aged 18 to under 65 with certain long-term conditions
• Residents in care homes
• Carers receiving Carer’s Allowance or those who support an older or disabled person
• People living with someone who has a weakened immune system
• Frontline health and social care workers

Will This Year’s Flu Shot Be Helpful?

Every February, global health agencies and vaccine manufacturers identify which strains to include in the flu shot for the Northern Hemisphere by studying the patterns seen in the Southern Hemisphere. This year’s vaccine covers three types of influenza, including two influenza A strains and one influenza B strain.

The flu shot does not completely stop infection, but it helps reduce how sick a person becomes. Last year’s dose was up to 55 percent effective at keeping adults with flu out of the hospital.

This week, UK health officials released early data showing that the current vaccine may lower the risk of hospitalization among adults by up to 40 percent.

Multiple states across the United States have reported a rise in whooping cough this year. On Nov. 3, the Texas Department of State Health Services released a notice describing a “significant increase” in cases, with 3,500 infections reported from January through October 2025.

This figure is four times higher than the number seen during the same period in 2024. Two days later, on November 5, the Mississippi State Department of Health announced that whooping cough cases have “dramatically increased,” reaching 130 so far this year.

What Is Whooping Cough?

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by the bacterium Bordetella pertussis. It usually begins with symptoms similar to a simple cold but can progress to intense coughing spells that create a “whooping” sound when a person breathes in, as per Cleveland Clinic.

These coughing fits can lead to vomiting or short pauses in breathing, especially in babies. The illness is particularly dangerous for infants, although routine vaccination offers strong protection for people of all ages.

Whooping Cough Symptoms

Whooping cough develops in stages. The incubation period, which is the time between exposure and the first symptoms, can range from five to 21 days. The illness progresses through three stages.

The first resembles a mild cold, with tiredness, low fever, coughing, sore throat, watery eyes, and nasal congestion. The second stage can last from one to ten weeks and is known for severe coughing fits called paroxysms, vomiting, and the well-known “whoop” that follows a coughing spell. Cleveland Clinic notes that recovery forms the third stage, which can last up to six weeks.

Symptoms may shift as a person moves through the phases.

• Initial stage (1 to 2 weeks): Symptoms mirror a common cold, including a runny nose, sneezing, light cough, and low-grade fever.
• Paroxysmal stage (after 1 to 2 weeks): The cough becomes harsher and arrives in bursts. Breathing in after a fit can create a high-pitched “whoop.” In this stage, some people may experience:
• Vomiting after coughing spells
• Blue or purple skin due to low oxygen
• Short pauses in breathing (apnea), especially in infants
• Recovery stage: Coughing fits begin to ease but may linger for several weeks or months.

Whooping Cough: Why Are Whooping Cough Cases Increasing In the US?

Experts link this rise to dropping vaccination rates, especially among children, which makes it easier for the infection to spread. Specialists warn that vaccination is the strongest tool to keep numbers under control. They also point out that whooping cough often increases in cycles every few years, and the illness cannot be fully eliminated.

“We practitioners and public health professionals are concerned because we are seeing a year-after-year trend of a significant increase in cases when this is preventable,” said Hector Ocaranza, a pediatrician and member of the Texas Medical Association’s Council on Science and Health Promotion, as per Texas Tribune. “Especially a disease that can have such a severe effect on infants, older people, and those who have chronic conditions.”

The agency’s latest alert, issued on November 3, also mentioned that more than half of last year’s cases appeared in November and December, suggesting that numbers may keep rising.

Whooping Cough: Who Are More Vulnerable?

Babies younger than six months face the highest risk because they have not yet completed their vaccination schedule. One in three infants with whooping cough needs hospital care, and one in five may develop pneumonia. Some babies experience seizures or swelling in the brain. Many infants do not cough but instead gag or turn blue or purple due to long pauses in breathing that may last more than 20 seconds, a condition known as life-threatening apnea.

Healthy teenagers and adults can also catch the infection and may develop pneumonia, along with coughing fits that cause vomiting, exhaustion, and sometimes rib fractures. However, the chance of death is much lower in older children and adults. If treated early, antibiotics can ease symptoms and limit the spread of the illness.

The Texas health department notes that vaccination remains the strongest form of protection and urges parents to ensure that children are current on their pertussis shots.