Current Events in July 2022

A new study conducted by researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health explored how different times of year may affect women’s reproductive health. According to their findings, women may be at a higher risk of miscarriage during the summer months as opposed to the winter months. 

“Any time you see seasonal variation in an outcome, it can give you hints about causes of that outcome,” said researcher Amelia Wesselink. “We found that miscarriage risk, particularly risk of ‘early’ miscarriage before eight weeks of gestation, was highest in the summer. Now we need to dig into that more to understand what kinds of exposures are more prevalent in the summer, and which of these exposures could explain the increased risk of miscarriage.” 

Summertime health risks

For the study, the researchers analyzed data on more than 6,100 women enrolled in the Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO). The study follows women from the time of conception through six months after delivery, and the women shared information on pregnancy loss, lifestyle, medical history, and sociodemographics. 

The researchers identified a link between miscarriage risk and time of year. Women involved in the study were at a 31% higher risk of a miscarriage at any point in their pregnancy in August compared with February. The study also showed that where women lived played a role in their miscarriage risk, as women in the Midwest had a higher miscarriage risk in early September, while women in the South were at a higher risk in late August. 

This link was particularly strong for early miscarriages. In North America, the risk of a miscarriage in the first eight weeks of pregnancy was nearly 45% higher in late August than in early February. 

Though the research team plans to do more work to better understand what role the time of year plays in miscarriage risk, they believe that exposure to high temperatures may be dangerous to women’s health. 

“We know that heat is associated with higher risk of other pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm delivery, low birth weight, and stillbirth, in particular,” said Wesselink. “Medical guidance and public health messaging – including heat action plans and climate adaptation policies – need to consider the potential effects of heat on the health of pregnant people and their babies.” 

For motorists gassing up for a Fourth of July road trip, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is the national average price of gas this week registered its sharpest decline in months.

The bad news? The price is at a record high for the Independence Day holiday.

AAA’s daily fuel price survey shows the national average price of regular gas is $4.84 a gallon, down 8 cents a gallon over the last seven days. Last year, holiday travelers paid an average of $3.12 a gallon.

The average price of premium gas is $5.55 a gallon, also 8 cents lower than last Friday. The average price of diesel fuel is $5.76 a gallon, 4 cents lower than last week.

After peaking at $5.01 a gallon in June, the price of regular gas has drifted lower, falling more quickly in some states than others. Industry analysts attribute the decline to falling demand – perhaps caused by near-record high prices – and a recent pullback in oil prices.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said U.S. refiners also have more oil to work with. In a Twitter post, he said U.S. oil production is now at the highest level since before the pandemic.

While many states reported mostly stable gas prices this week, some motorists enjoyed large drops in the price at the pump. The statewide average price of regular gas fell 19 cents a gallon in Tennessee. The average price dropped 12 cents a gallon in Texas, North Carolina, and Arizona; 11 cents in Arizona; 8 cents in Illinois, Georgia, and Alabama; and 7 cents a gallon in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

Utah bucked the trend of lower prices, as the statewide average rose 5 cents a gallon over the last week.

States with the most expensive gas

These states currently have the highest prices for regular gas, according to AAA:

• California ($6.27) 

• Hawaii ($5.61)    

• Nevada ($5.56)     

• Alaska ($5.56)    

• Oregon ($5.48) 

• Washington ($5.47)     

• Illinois ($5.37)      

• Utah ($5.26)   

• Idaho ($5.25) 

• Arizona ($5.21)   

States with the cheapest gas

AAA reports that these states currently have the lowest prices for regular gas:

• Georgia ($4.35)  

• South Carolina ($4.35) 

• Mississippi ($4.37) 

• Arkansas ($4.40)    

• Louisiana ($4.40)     

• Alabama ($4.45)   

• Tennessee ($4.46)  

• Texas ($4.46)    

• North Carolina ($4.49)   

• Oklahoma ($4.55)  

Ford Motor Company is recalling 27 model year 2020 Escapes and model year 2021 Lincoln Corsairs with 2.5L hybrid powertrains.

Insufficient welds inside the high voltage battery may fail, resulting in a loss of drive power and increasing the risk of a crash

What to do

Dealers will replace the high voltage battery free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 5, 2022.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at (866) 436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S33.

Northern Tier Bakery of St. Paul Park, Minn., is recalling approximately 905 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) salads.

The products may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

There are no confirmed reports of adverse reactions.

The following items, produced from May 18, 2022, through June 8, 2022, are being recalled:

• 4-oz. plastic packages of “SUPERMOM’S KITCHEN Chef Salad EGG, WHITE TURKEY MEAT, HAM, MONTEREY JACK & CHEDDAR CHEESE WITH CRISP ROMAINE & GREEN LEAF LETTUCE” with “ENJOY THROUGH” dates of 6/9 and 6/11 represented on the label.
• 4.3-oz. plastic packages of “SUPERMOM’S KITCHEN Caesar Salad SEASONED CHICKEN BREAST STRIPS, PARMESAN CHEESE & CROUTON PACKET WITH CRISP ROMAINE & GREEN LEAF LETTUCE” with “ENJOY THROUGH” dates of 5/26, 5/28, 5/31, 6/2, 6/4, 6/8, 6/9, 6/11, 6/14 and 6/16 represented on the label.

The recalled products, bearing establishment number “EST. 19860” inside the USDA mark of inspection, were shipped to retail locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

What to do

Customers who purchased the recalled products should not consume them, but discard or return them to the place of purchase.

Consumers with questions may contact Northern Tier Bakery at (800) 643-1948.