Former tennis star Anna Kournikova is reportedly pregnant with her fourth child. According to the Spanish outlet Hola, Kournikova, 44, is halfway through her pregnancy, and all is going well.

This will be her fourth child with longtime partner and singer Enrique Iglesias, whom she has been with since 2001. The couple already has twins, Lucy and Nicholas, 7, and a younger daughter, Mary, 5. According to a Spanish news outlet, Hola, her pregnancy is going well, however some people are still worried about her health, as just a few weeks ago she was photographed on a wheelchair, injured with a leg brace.

Kournikova retired from professional tennis in 2003 when she was just 21 because of injuries. Since then, she has stayed mostly out of the public eye. Pregnancies can take a massive toll on women’s bodies, and what age you give birth could also change the risk associated with it.

Is Pregnancy At 40 Risky?

According to the American College of Obstetrician and Gynecologists, women are born with all the eggs they will have for a lifetime. As they get older, both the number and quality of their eggs decrease. After age 35, the chance of getting pregnant goes down, and the risk of having a baby with a chromosomal issue, like Down syndrome, goes up. The risks for a pregnant woman also increase with age. Older mothers have a higher chance of:

• Miscarriage or stillbirth
• Developing gestational diabetes or preeclampsia (high blood pressure)
• Having a baby who is very small
• Needing a C-section (cesarean birth)
• Developing blood clots

These risks increase the farther a woman is past age 35. It's important to remember that these are just risks; every pregnancy is different.

How Is The Risk of Pregnancy Assessed?

It's common for women over 35 to worry about being labeled a "high-risk" pregnancy. However, a doctor uses this term to be proactive, not to scare them. It simply means the doctor will watch them more closely to help them have the healthiest pregnancy possible. Doctors can use modern tools to detect and respond to potential problems early. This might include:

• Prenatal screening tests in the first trimester to check for genetic risks.
• More frequent ultrasounds to check on the baby’s growth.
• Regular checks of their blood pressure and tests for gestational diabetes.

If a woman is under 35 and wants to have children in the future, it's a good idea for her to talk with her doctor now about her plans and how age might affect her fertility.

Precautions Pregnant Women Over 40 Should Take

Most women over 40 have healthy pregnancies and healthy babies. However, it's important to be aware of some key factors and risks. The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care explains that the best way to have a healthy pregnancy is to take good care of yourself. This includes eating a healthy diet, gaining a healthy amount of weight, staying active, and avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.

Antenatal Care and What to Expect

Regular antenatal care is crucial for both you and your baby's health. Getting this care early and consistently can significantly increase your chances of a healthy baby. Your doctor will likely recommend certain tests and vaccinations, such as:

• Influenza (flu) vaccine at any time during your pregnancy.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine, preferably between 20 and 32 weeks.
• A blood test to check your rubella immunity.

Your doctor will also use blood tests, urine tests, and ultrasounds to monitor your and your baby's health. As you get older, the chance of your baby having a chromosomal condition increases, though the overall risk is still small. These conditions include:

• Down syndrome
• Edwards syndrome
• Patau syndrome

However, it is not all scary as pregnancies later in life have a lot of benefits like a more stable environment, whether it is financial, career or resource wise. If you have any worries reach out to your healthcare professional and ensure you follow their advice.

Scrolling through social media, many women encounter stories of celebrities describing years of unexplained symptoms before receiving a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Model and actress Lori Harvey recently shared her experience with weight fluctuations, acne, facial hair growth, and painful irregular periods, highlighting a common struggle among women of reproductive age. Stories like hers resonate with women like Alexis King, who found validation in hearing someone else’s journey, as reported in Washington Post.

PCOS is a hormone disorder affecting roughly one in ten women worldwide, including about six million Americans. It is linked to both reproductive and metabolic dysfunction, increasing the risk of fertility problems as well as chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Despite its prevalence, PCOS remains underfunded and under-recognized, leaving many women to navigate the condition largely on their own.

A “Silent” Diagnosis

For many, PCOS is identified only after years of unexplained symptoms. Patients often encounter healthcare providers who focus on cosmetic solutions rather than addressing the underlying hormonal imbalance. Researchers note that PCOS is considered an “orphan disorder” in women’s health, receiving significantly less funding than conditions with comparable prevalence and severity. From 2016 to 2022, average annual funding for PCOS was around $32 million, compared with $262 million for rheumatoid arthritis and $66 million for tuberculosis, according to recent studies reported in Washington Post.

Experts stress the need for comprehensive management rather than relying on individual supplements, though some, such as inositol, have shown promise in improving metabolic and reproductive outcomes. There is no cure or FDA-approved treatment specifically for PCOS, though existing interventions can alleviate symptoms and reduce long-term health risks, according to Richard Legro, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, as reported in Washington Post.

Challenges in Diagnosis

A full PCOS diagnosis requires meeting at least two of three criteria: irregular periods, elevated male hormones, or ovaries with fluid-filled sacs visible on ultrasound. Yet many patients never undergo complete hormone testing or imaging, leaving the disorder undiagnosed for years. Clinicians often lack training to treat PCOS effectively, as it spans multiple specialties, from reproductive endocrinology to general gynecology. Multidisciplinary clinics exist but are limited in number, forcing patients to seek care from providers unfamiliar with the full scope of the disorder, as reported in Washington Post.

Delayed diagnosis can have serious consequences. Women with PCOS face increased risks of infertility, pregnancy complications, and chronic conditions. Endometrial cancer risk is higher due to irregular shedding of the uterine lining, and Black women experience disproportionately higher rates of adverse outcomes due to later diagnosis and barriers to care.

Research and Emerging Treatments

In the absence of robust funding, clinicians have relied on medications such as metformin, which improves insulin sensitivity, to manage PCOS symptoms. Research is also exploring the use of weight-loss drugs, such as semaglutide, to regulate hormone levels, restore periods, and reduce metabolic risks. Early trials show promise, with participants reporting restored menstrual cycles, improved hormone balance, and weight loss, as reported in Washington Post.

Despite these advances, insurance coverage remains a challenge. Patients often must pay out of pocket for medications that are not yet FDA-approved specifically for PCOS. Researchers like Melanie Cree, a pediatric endocrinologist, are pushing for standardized testing and more clinical trials, but funding delays and reduced philanthropic support continue to slow progress.

As awareness grows, advocates and researchers aim to prioritize PCOS as a significant public health concern, emphasizing early detection, comprehensive treatment, and equitable access to care. For millions of women, improved understanding and treatment of PCOS could transform lives, reducing both immediate discomfort and long-term health risks, as reported in Washington Post.

For the first time, patients in England and Wales will be able to access a long-acting injection to prevent HIV through the NHS, bringing the policy in line with Scotland. The new jab, administered every two months, provides an alternative to daily oral pills, offering convenience and discretion for those who find tablets challenging to take.

Experts hope the introduction of cabotegravir (CAB-LA) injections will help the UK meet its goal of eliminating new HIV cases by 2030. Meanwhile, early results from another injection, lenacapavir, suggest that annual HIV prevention injections could become a possibility in the future.

A “Game-Changing” Option

Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, described the new injection as “game-changing” and told the BBC: “For vulnerable people who are unable to take other methods of HIV prevention, this represents hope”.

HIV prevention therapy, known as PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), is used by HIV-negative individuals to reduce the risk of infection. While daily oral PrEP has been effective for years, some people find it difficult to adhere to. Challenges include lack of privacy, homelessness, domestic violence, or the fear of others discovering their medication.

A long-acting injection that lasts for months addresses these issues, offering both practicality and discretion. Cabotegravir, produced by ViiV Healthcare, is intended to be used alongside safer sex practices, such as condom use. NHS England has secured a confidential discount from the manufacturer, whose list price is around £7,000 per patient per year, as reported by the BBC.

Who Will Be Eligible?

The injection will be offered to adults and adolescents at high risk of sexually acquired HIV who are eligible for PrEP but may struggle with daily tablets. Around 1,000 people are expected to be offered the injection initially, with others continuing or starting oral PrEP. Patients can access it through NHS-operated sexual health clinics “in the coming months,” according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Dom Baldwin, who currently takes PrEP pills, told the BBC he is “over the moon” about the injections: “When you look at where we are now compared to the epidemic in the 80s… HIV is no longer a death sentence”.

Calls for Rapid and Equitable Rollout

Charities have emphasized the need for a fast rollout, as some patients face long waits for appointments. Richard Angell, of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said to the BBC that the therapy should be offered in more settings, not just sexual health clinics: “It’s highly effective and acceptable for patients, and a vital tool for tackling inequalities, with the potential to reach those who are not currently accessing other HIV prevention”.

Official figures show that PrEP access in England is increasing, but gaps remain. In 2024, 146,098 HIV-negative people attending sexual health services were at substantial risk of HIV, with about 76% starting or continuing PrEP, a 7.7% rise from 2023. However, uptake varies by group, with lower rates among black African heterosexual men and women compared to men who have sex with men.

Dr Michael Brady, NHS England’s National Advisor for LGBT+ Health, said to the BBC: “This long-acting injection is a significant addition to our HIV prevention strategies, giving us a powerful new option for people at risk of HIV who cannot have oral PrEP tablets”.

In a recent study published in The Lancet, by the Global Burden of Disease Study, 2023 reveals that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes now account for nearly two-thirds of global deaths, surpassing infectious diseases, according to an analysis of over 33 years.

The study covered 375 diseases and injuries, including 88 risk factors and healthy life expectancy across 204 countries and territories. It included 660 subnational locations, from 1990 to 2023.

The report also highlighted the sharp rise in mental health disorders with anxiety disorders, which were increased by 63%. The report also noted an increase in depressive disorders by 26%.

Environmental Factors That Impact Health

Furthermore, it added that environmental risks such as extreme heats and air pollution also bears an impact on health. There have been deaths due to climate-sensitive exposures rising by 6% annually between 2013 and 2023.

In fact, recently, a health conference of the Indian Rheumatology Association revealed that pollution also triggers rheumatoid arthritis. Heat waves also pose serious health risks, from heat cramps and exhaustion to the life-threatening heatstroke, by overwhelming the body's ability to cool itself.

An Increase In Life Expectancy Rate

As per the study, the global life expectancy rates have rebounded post COVID-19 pandemic. It has now reached 76.3 for women and 71.5 years for men in 2023. Earlier, in the pandemic, the age for women went down to 74.7 years, while for men, it was at 69.3 years, in 2021. Since 1950, the global life expectancy has increased by roughly 20 years.

In 2023, the total deaths globally reached 60.1 million, which included 4.67 million deaths of children under five. The population growth and aging however has driven a 35.2 per cent increase in global deaths since 1950, under-five mortality has steadily declined in this period.

The report also highlighted the difference in the health outcomes. The global life expectancy has improved, however, the geographic inequities still persisted. The mean age at death rose from 46.4 years in 1990 to 62.9 years in 2023.

Who Lived Longer, Where?

High-income countries reported the longest lifespans, women lived up to 80.5 years on average, while men reached 74.4 years. In stark contrast, sub-Saharan Africa recorded the lowest life expectancy, with women living an average of 37.1 years and men 34.8 years.

The report highlights that nearly half of all global deaths and disabilities could be prevented by tackling key risk factors such as high blood sugar, obesity, and social determinants like sexual abuse and intimate partner violence.

India recorded 9.85 million deaths in 2023, ranking second after China’s 10.7 million. The average life expectancy in India stood at 73 years for women and 70.2 years for men.

Encouragingly, India has made notable strides in reducing child mortality. The under-five mortality rate has dropped to 32.1 deaths per 1,000 live births. However, due to the country’s large population, the total number of deaths among children under five remained high, at around 6,92,000.