Obstetrics & Gynecology

News and Events

Programs and providers of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine are often the focus of news stories and features appearing in major national media. We invite you to review some stories that typify the breakthrough accomplishments of our remarkable team and highlight the impact our care has had on patient’s lives.

An Opportunity to Strengthen Key Health Measures in National Climate Plans

woman holding poster saying climate emergency equals health emergency

The majority of national climate adaptation plans fail to fully integrate health needs or engage populations most at risk from climate change, found an international team of investigators led by Weill Cornell Medicine.

The study was published on June 10 in Lancet Planetary Health. Senior author Dr. Ilan Cerna-Turoff, assistant professor of epidemiology in emergency medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine, and his study team reviewed climate adaptation policies from 198 countries and the European Union, finding that while 88% mentioned the health impacts of climate change, important gaps in health integration remain. Progress on health integration was variable, with several regions of the world falling behind. Some health conditions were nearly absent. Despite the widespread recognition that specific demographic groups were disproportionately affected by the health impacts of climate change, only 12% of the plans engaged these groups in their efforts. Many plans also lacked sufficient budgeting for monitoring and evaluation and health-related climate actions.

Brain Region Linked to TMS’s Antidepressant Effects

drawing of brain with insular cortex in orange

A circuit that runs from the prefrontal cortex near the front of the brain to a deeper brain structure called the insular cortex appears to mediate the antidepressant effects of a newer form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), according to a study led by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators. The discovery could lead to more effective TMS treatment of depression.

In the study, published May 7 in Cell, the researchers developed mice whose brains can be stimulated artificially in a prefrontal region to mimic the antidepressant effect of a widely used—but not well understood—TMS technique. The researchers showed that this antidepressant effect in the mice depends heavily on the indirect stimulation of a connected region, the insular cortex.

Protecting Heart Health in an Era of Temperature Extremes

Elderly woman with heat stroke

Extreme heat and cold are growing cardiovascular risks that can trigger heart attacks, strokes, heart failure and sudden cardiac death, according to a recent scientific statement by experts at Weill Cornell Medicine and other leading institutions. The statement from the American Heart Association, published in Circulation, outlines contributing factors that endanger health and recommendations to mitigate the rising cardiovascular risks posed by extreme temperatures.

Historically, cold weather has caused more cardiovascular deaths because cold days are more frequent. However, the report warns that extreme heat events are increasing in frequency, intensity and duration, which may lead to heat-related deaths outweighing any decline in cold-related mortality. Already, 2024 was the hottest year since the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration started record-keeping in 1880.

“As heatwaves increase, we need coordinated action in research, clinical practice and policy to understand how we can keep people safe,” said Dr. Arnab Ghosh, associate professor of medicine at Weill Cornell, and an internist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center,  who led development of the policy section of the report.

Contact Us