When Night Becomes the Enemy: How Artificial Light May Shape Pregnancy Outcomes

A new study linking nighttime light exposure to cardiovascular disease raises urgent questions for obstetrics.

The Light We Don’t See

A 2025 JAMA study by Windred and colleagues found that exposure to outdoor light at night was significantly associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease, even after adjusting for traditional risk factors such as age, obesity, smoking, and socioeconomic status. Using satellite data on nighttime illumination across tens of …