The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) joins more than 150 national organizations in supporting Cover the Uninsured Week (April 23-29, 2007), the nation's largest nonpartisan campaign to call attention to the need for reliable, affordable health coverage for all Americans.
Cover the Uninsured Week, spearheaded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, spotlights the plight of the more than 47 million Americans who have no health insurance. The 2007 campaign will have a special focus on uninsured children as the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) comes up for congressional reauthorization this year. SCHIP provides health coverage for the children of working parents who cannot afford insurance on their own.
"In 2005, nearly 22 million women had no health insurance, and 13% of all pregnant women in the US were uninsured. Additionally, thousands of Americans die each year solely because they do not have health coverage," says ACOG President Douglas W. Laube, MD, MEd. "The problem of uninsured Americans is not going away and will require the continued attention of the medical community and our elected officials. As ob-gyns, we must remain committed to advocating for better insurance coverage on our patients' behalf," he adds.
Access to health care is key to preventing or lowering the risk of chronic disease and managing current medical conditions. However, uninsured women are less likely to receive important preventive health care and screening tests, such as clinical breast exams and tests for cervical cancer, than are insured women. They are also more likely to receive diagnoses at more advanced disease stages and tend to receive less medical treatment once diagnosed.
ACOG Fellows are urged to participate in Cover the Uninsured Week to raise awareness of the plight of the uninsured in their hometowns and across the nation. During April 23-29, more than 1,000 events will take place in all 50 states and Washington, DC, in which participants will join together to tell their leaders that health care coverage for all Americans must be a top priority.
For more information about Cover the Uninsured Week and scheduled events, go to covertheuninsured.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is the national medical organization representing over 51,000 members who provide health care for women.
четверг, 7 июня 2012 г.
четверг, 31 мая 2012 г.
Some Experts Link Economic Downturn To Increase In Abortions, Vasectomies
Some women's health experts say the recent economic downturn has become a factor in couples' family planning decisions, including decisions about abortion and vasectomy procedures, Reuters reports. Although it is too soon for data to show that the number of abortions has increased since the economic downturn, experts say anecdotal evidence suggests that the economy is affecting the number of abortions. The abortion rate in 2005 -- the latest year data are available -- fell to the lowest point since 1974, according to the Guttmacher Institute. However, Vicki Saporta, president of the National Abortion Federation, which operates a hotline for women seeking information on abortion, said there has been an influx in the number of calls, particularly from women who report losing their jobs or facing eviction. Saporta said, "As more and more women and families are struggling due to the crisis, it's affecting more than just low-income families," noting that more moderate-income families are seeking information and "facing the same types of problems" that the group typically sees among lower-income women.
Meanwhile, some abortion assistance groups report that they are facing funding shortfalls just as they are experiencing more requests for aid, Reuters reports. The New York Abortion Access Fund increased abortion-related funding by 60% compared with last year, and the number of women receiving assistance has more than doubled. The economic downturn also is affecting men's decisions to undergo vasectomies, according to Lawrence Ross, former president of the American Urological Association. Ross said he and his colleagues have seen about a 50% increase in the number of vasectomies performed in the past four to six months, which he attributed in part to the economy. "Many of them are afraid they are going to lose their jobs and their health insurance," which "push[es] them over the edge to get it done more quickly," Ross said (Kebede, Reuters, 4/22).
Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.
© 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
Meanwhile, some abortion assistance groups report that they are facing funding shortfalls just as they are experiencing more requests for aid, Reuters reports. The New York Abortion Access Fund increased abortion-related funding by 60% compared with last year, and the number of women receiving assistance has more than doubled. The economic downturn also is affecting men's decisions to undergo vasectomies, according to Lawrence Ross, former president of the American Urological Association. Ross said he and his colleagues have seen about a 50% increase in the number of vasectomies performed in the past four to six months, which he attributed in part to the economy. "Many of them are afraid they are going to lose their jobs and their health insurance," which "push[es] them over the edge to get it done more quickly," Ross said (Kebede, Reuters, 4/22).
Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.
© 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
четверг, 24 мая 2012 г.
Study Improves Recovery For Mothers With Depression
Scientists at the University of Liverpool have developed a therapy programme to treat depression in women in developing countries.
Although depression is a major health problem world-wide, experts say its impact is greatest in developing countries where 80% of the population live. Often there are no resources available to treat sufferers.
Professor Atif Rahman from the School of Population, Community and Behavioural Sciences developed a therapy programme while working as a Wellcome Trust Career Fellow in Tropical Medicine in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
"Depression is one of the leading causes of mental illness in the world and when the condition affects mothers with newborn babies, it can lead to serious consequences" he says. "The impacts include low birth-weight, poor growth, frequent diarrhoea and the mother failing to ensure the child is properly immunised. These conditions tend to remain untreated in countries like Pakistan where only a fraction of the Government's budget is spent on health.
The programme, which is designed to be integrated into the routine work of ordinary village-based health workers, has been tested in Rawalpindi. Community health workers visiting expectant mothers are trained to use principles of cognitive behaviour therapy as treatment. Patients attend sessions every week in the last month of pregnancy, followed by three sessions in the first post-natal month, and nine monthly sessions thereafter.
The largest trial of the treatment of depression using community health workers from any country in the developing world involved 903 mothers 463 of whom were in the therapy group. The mothers from this control group were twice as likely to be depressed as those given the therapy after six and 12 months.
LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY
Liverpool
L69 3BX
liv.ac
Although depression is a major health problem world-wide, experts say its impact is greatest in developing countries where 80% of the population live. Often there are no resources available to treat sufferers.
Professor Atif Rahman from the School of Population, Community and Behavioural Sciences developed a therapy programme while working as a Wellcome Trust Career Fellow in Tropical Medicine in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
"Depression is one of the leading causes of mental illness in the world and when the condition affects mothers with newborn babies, it can lead to serious consequences" he says. "The impacts include low birth-weight, poor growth, frequent diarrhoea and the mother failing to ensure the child is properly immunised. These conditions tend to remain untreated in countries like Pakistan where only a fraction of the Government's budget is spent on health.
The programme, which is designed to be integrated into the routine work of ordinary village-based health workers, has been tested in Rawalpindi. Community health workers visiting expectant mothers are trained to use principles of cognitive behaviour therapy as treatment. Patients attend sessions every week in the last month of pregnancy, followed by three sessions in the first post-natal month, and nine monthly sessions thereafter.
The largest trial of the treatment of depression using community health workers from any country in the developing world involved 903 mothers 463 of whom were in the therapy group. The mothers from this control group were twice as likely to be depressed as those given the therapy after six and 12 months.
LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY
Liverpool
L69 3BX
liv.ac
четверг, 17 мая 2012 г.
Many Women Undertreated For Ovarian Cancer
One in three ovarian cancer patients in the U.S. fails to receive the recommended comprehensive surgical treatment, according to a study in the May 15, 2007 issue of CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The study of hospital data from nine states found that women who were over 70, of African American or Hispanic race, or insured by Medicaid, were at greatest risk for undertreatment. In addition, women treated by non-gynecological oncologists, by surgeons who perform few ovarian cancer surgeries, and at facilities that perform fewer than 10 procedures per year were less likely to receive recommended surgical care.
Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest malignancies to women, taking the lives of more than 14,000 women in the U.S. each year. The disease is generally diagnosed at an advanced stage, and five-year survival is only 30-40 percent when all of the cancer can be resected and falls to 15 percent when residual disease remains after surgery.
Previous research has shown that women who receive care from a specific cancer specialist, the gynecologic oncologist; at a hospital that performs a high volume of ovarian cancer surgeries; or at a teaching hospital have significantly better short-term and long-term outcomes. However, the few studies investigating healthcare utilization of ovarian cancer patients suggest that few women receive such care. In one state, only 39 percent of women were treated by a gynecologic oncologist and 91 percent of the treating surgeons in another state performed an average one ovarian cancer case per year.
Dr. Barbara Goff, from the University of Washington, Seattle, and co-investigators analyzed hospital data from up to nine states over a three year period (1999-2002) to identify patient, surgeon and hospital factors associated with comprehensive surgical care.
This study's authors report that only 67 percent of the 10,432 women whose cases they reviewed received the recommended comprehensive surgical procedures. The study found 42 percent of patients were treated at teaching hospitals, while a third were treated at a hospital that performed fewer than 10 ovarian cancer surgeries per year. Analysis of the surgeon's attributes showed that almost half of the women were treated by physicians who performed fewer than 10 procedures per year and 25 percent were cared for by surgeons who perform only one ovarian cancer surgery annually.
The study also identified several patient factors that predicted the likelihood a patient received comprehensive surgical care, including: age under 50 years; Caucasian race; advanced tumor stage; and having private insurance. Other significant predictive factors included surgeon volume, surgeon specialty and hospital volume in non-teaching hospitals. Hospital volume did not influence comprehensive surgery rates in teaching hospitals.
Based on the findings, the authors recommend that "all ovarian cancer patients, especially those who are vulnerable because of age, race, or socioeconomic status, are referred to centers or surgeons from whom they are more likely to get optimal surgery."
Article: "Predictors of Comprehensive Surgical Treatment in Patients With Ovarian Cancer," Barbara Goff, Barbara J. Matthews, Eric H. Larson, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Michelle Wynn, Denise M. Lishner, Laura-Mae Baldwin, CANCER: Published Online: April 9, 2007 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr. 22604); Print Issue Date: May 15, 2007.
Contact: Amy Molnar
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ovarian cancer is one of the deadliest malignancies to women, taking the lives of more than 14,000 women in the U.S. each year. The disease is generally diagnosed at an advanced stage, and five-year survival is only 30-40 percent when all of the cancer can be resected and falls to 15 percent when residual disease remains after surgery.
Previous research has shown that women who receive care from a specific cancer specialist, the gynecologic oncologist; at a hospital that performs a high volume of ovarian cancer surgeries; or at a teaching hospital have significantly better short-term and long-term outcomes. However, the few studies investigating healthcare utilization of ovarian cancer patients suggest that few women receive such care. In one state, only 39 percent of women were treated by a gynecologic oncologist and 91 percent of the treating surgeons in another state performed an average one ovarian cancer case per year.
Dr. Barbara Goff, from the University of Washington, Seattle, and co-investigators analyzed hospital data from up to nine states over a three year period (1999-2002) to identify patient, surgeon and hospital factors associated with comprehensive surgical care.
This study's authors report that only 67 percent of the 10,432 women whose cases they reviewed received the recommended comprehensive surgical procedures. The study found 42 percent of patients were treated at teaching hospitals, while a third were treated at a hospital that performed fewer than 10 ovarian cancer surgeries per year. Analysis of the surgeon's attributes showed that almost half of the women were treated by physicians who performed fewer than 10 procedures per year and 25 percent were cared for by surgeons who perform only one ovarian cancer surgery annually.
The study also identified several patient factors that predicted the likelihood a patient received comprehensive surgical care, including: age under 50 years; Caucasian race; advanced tumor stage; and having private insurance. Other significant predictive factors included surgeon volume, surgeon specialty and hospital volume in non-teaching hospitals. Hospital volume did not influence comprehensive surgery rates in teaching hospitals.
Based on the findings, the authors recommend that "all ovarian cancer patients, especially those who are vulnerable because of age, race, or socioeconomic status, are referred to centers or surgeons from whom they are more likely to get optimal surgery."
Article: "Predictors of Comprehensive Surgical Treatment in Patients With Ovarian Cancer," Barbara Goff, Barbara J. Matthews, Eric H. Larson, C. Holly A. Andrilla, Michelle Wynn, Denise M. Lishner, Laura-Mae Baldwin, CANCER: Published Online: April 9, 2007 (DOI: 10.1002/cncr. 22604); Print Issue Date: May 15, 2007.
Contact: Amy Molnar
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
четверг, 10 мая 2012 г.
Groups Launch Internet-Based 'Living Quilt' To Increase Awareness About HIV/AIDS Among Women In Southern U.S.
An Internet-based "living quilt" is scheduled to be launched on Wednesday in New Orleans to increase awareness of the effect of HIV/AIDS on women in the South, particularly minorities, the AP/New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. The Southern AIDS Living Quilt initiative will feature videos about women affected by the disease and highlight the disproportionate effect of HIV/AIDS on women. The project also will provide information about testing and prevention measures (AP/New Orleans Times-Picayune, 10/17).
The Southern AIDS Coalition and Test for Life will launch the project. According to the coalition, 70% of people living with HIV/AIDS in Louisiana are minorities, and AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of death for black women ages 25 to 34 (Southern AIDS Coalition release, 10/16).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation.? All rights reserved.
The Southern AIDS Coalition and Test for Life will launch the project. According to the coalition, 70% of people living with HIV/AIDS in Louisiana are minorities, and AIDS-related illnesses are the leading cause of death for black women ages 25 to 34 (Southern AIDS Coalition release, 10/16).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation.? All rights reserved.
четверг, 3 мая 2012 г.
BioSante Pharmaceuticals Announces Initiation Of LibiGel(R) Study To Evaluate Its Effect On Cognitive Function In Women
BioSante Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: BPAX) announced the initiation of a LibiGel® (testosterone gel) clinical trial to evaluate its effect on cognitive function in menopausal women. The trial is a randomized, 6-month comparison of the effect of LibiGel compared to placebo treatment on a variety of learning and memory tasks. The study is being conducted by Dr. Susan Davis, Professor of Women's Health, Department of Medicine, Monash University Women's Health Program in Australia.
As previously reported, studies conducted by Dr. Davis have shown that testosterone significantly improved cognitive function, specifically visual and verbal learning and memory in menopausal women in a six month study. In addition, there was a reduction in parietal lobe blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal intensity during mental rotation, potentially indicating less neuronal recruitment being required to complete tasks.
"If this study demonstrates that testosterone improves cognitive performance, learning and memory, in healthy older women with normal cognition for their age, as compared to placebo, testosterone may be a potential strategy for the prevention of cognitive decline," said Dr. Davis. Further information about this study can be found here.
"It is exciting that a new clinical trial has been initiated to evaluate whether testosterone improves memory and learning," said Dr. Michael C. Snabes, BioSante's vice president of clinical development. "Positive results from this new study could provide scientific evidence for an additional advantage of testosterone for menopausal women."
About LibiGel
LibiGel® (testosterone gel) is in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of women who suffer from female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The on-going Phase III efficacy trials are double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that will enroll up to approximately 500 surgically menopausal women each for a six-month clinical trial. The efficacy trials are being conducted under an FDA-approved special protocol assessment (SPA) agreement. LibiGel is absorbed quickly through the skin after a once-daily pea-sized application on the upper arm, delivering testosterone to the bloodstream evenly over time and in a non-invasive and painless manner.
In a Phase II trial, LibiGel significantly increased the number of satisfying sexual events in surgically menopausal women suffering from FSD by 238 percent versus baseline (p
As previously reported, studies conducted by Dr. Davis have shown that testosterone significantly improved cognitive function, specifically visual and verbal learning and memory in menopausal women in a six month study. In addition, there was a reduction in parietal lobe blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal intensity during mental rotation, potentially indicating less neuronal recruitment being required to complete tasks.
"If this study demonstrates that testosterone improves cognitive performance, learning and memory, in healthy older women with normal cognition for their age, as compared to placebo, testosterone may be a potential strategy for the prevention of cognitive decline," said Dr. Davis. Further information about this study can be found here.
"It is exciting that a new clinical trial has been initiated to evaluate whether testosterone improves memory and learning," said Dr. Michael C. Snabes, BioSante's vice president of clinical development. "Positive results from this new study could provide scientific evidence for an additional advantage of testosterone for menopausal women."
About LibiGel
LibiGel® (testosterone gel) is in Phase III clinical development for the treatment of women who suffer from female sexual dysfunction (FSD). The on-going Phase III efficacy trials are double-blind, placebo-controlled trials that will enroll up to approximately 500 surgically menopausal women each for a six-month clinical trial. The efficacy trials are being conducted under an FDA-approved special protocol assessment (SPA) agreement. LibiGel is absorbed quickly through the skin after a once-daily pea-sized application on the upper arm, delivering testosterone to the bloodstream evenly over time and in a non-invasive and painless manner.
In a Phase II trial, LibiGel significantly increased the number of satisfying sexual events in surgically menopausal women suffering from FSD by 238 percent versus baseline (p
четверг, 26 апреля 2012 г.
First Coast Medicare To Provide Case By Case Reimbursement For The Renessa(R) Treatment For Incontinence In Women
Novasys Medical, Inc., a developer of innovative therapies in women's health, announced that as of July 1, 2009, First Coast Service Options, Inc. ("First Coast"), a large regional Medicare carrier serving over 3 million beneficiaries in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, has removed the non-surgical Renessa(R) treatment for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) from its noncovered services list and will be looking at claims for the Renessa procedure on an individual case by case basis.
On its Web site, First Coast states, "in order to provide an option for those physicians who are appropriately trained in treating women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and who are appropriately trained in performing the Renessa procedure, we will be removing Renessa from our noncovered LCD and we will be looking at claims for the Renessa procedure on an individual case by case basis." First Coast goes on to state that it "expects that providers submitting claims for Renessa are providing the services within the FDA approved guidelines and in accordance with the indications supported by peer-reviewed literature which limits its use to moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in females."
"We are very pleased with First Coast's decision," said Debra Reisenthel, Novasys Medical President and Chief Executive Officer, "as it enables access to this safe and effective treatment option for Medicare beneficiaries in Florida with moderate to severe SUI." First Coast joins Noridian Medicare, a large regional carrier administering benefits in nine states, in providing reimbursement for the Renessa procedure. Other private insurers, including AvMed and HealthFirst in Florida and Aetna US Healthcare nationwide, also cover this safe and effective non-surgical treatment for women who suffer from the debilitating effects of SUI.
Female Stress Urinary Incontinence
SUI is the involuntary leakage of urine associated with laughing, coughing, sneezing and recreational activities. The condition is caused by a variety of factors, most commonly childbirth, and often restricts the social, professional, and personal lives of a significant number of women. With currently available surgical and non-surgical SUI therapies, many patients and physicians have concerns about safety, recovery, compliance, and/or effectiveness.
The FDA-cleared Renessa System includes a small probe which a physician passes through the natural opening of the urethra (transurethral). The probe heats multiple small treatment sites in the submucosa of the bladder neck and upper urethra, denaturing the patient's own collagen in the tissue, thereby reducing or eliminating leaks. The Renessa treatment can be performed in the convenience of a physician's office using local anesthesia. There are no incisions, bandages or dressings required. Recovery is rapid and comfortable, with minimal post-procedure limitations. The Renessa treatment offers an option for women who have tried conservative therapies such as Kegel exercises or biofeedback without success, but who cannot have or do not desire an invasive surgical procedure. To date, over 350 urologists, urogynecologists and gynecologists in 40 states have been trained and have performed the Renessa procedure in over 2500 patients.
About Novasys Medical
Novasys Medical, Inc. is a privately held, venture-backed company which develops innovative therapies in women's health. The company's initial focus is the development and commercialization of the Renessa System, a proprietary, non-surgical approach to the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Source: Novasys Medical, Inc
On its Web site, First Coast states, "in order to provide an option for those physicians who are appropriately trained in treating women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and who are appropriately trained in performing the Renessa procedure, we will be removing Renessa from our noncovered LCD and we will be looking at claims for the Renessa procedure on an individual case by case basis." First Coast goes on to state that it "expects that providers submitting claims for Renessa are providing the services within the FDA approved guidelines and in accordance with the indications supported by peer-reviewed literature which limits its use to moderate to severe stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in females."
"We are very pleased with First Coast's decision," said Debra Reisenthel, Novasys Medical President and Chief Executive Officer, "as it enables access to this safe and effective treatment option for Medicare beneficiaries in Florida with moderate to severe SUI." First Coast joins Noridian Medicare, a large regional carrier administering benefits in nine states, in providing reimbursement for the Renessa procedure. Other private insurers, including AvMed and HealthFirst in Florida and Aetna US Healthcare nationwide, also cover this safe and effective non-surgical treatment for women who suffer from the debilitating effects of SUI.
Female Stress Urinary Incontinence
SUI is the involuntary leakage of urine associated with laughing, coughing, sneezing and recreational activities. The condition is caused by a variety of factors, most commonly childbirth, and often restricts the social, professional, and personal lives of a significant number of women. With currently available surgical and non-surgical SUI therapies, many patients and physicians have concerns about safety, recovery, compliance, and/or effectiveness.
The FDA-cleared Renessa System includes a small probe which a physician passes through the natural opening of the urethra (transurethral). The probe heats multiple small treatment sites in the submucosa of the bladder neck and upper urethra, denaturing the patient's own collagen in the tissue, thereby reducing or eliminating leaks. The Renessa treatment can be performed in the convenience of a physician's office using local anesthesia. There are no incisions, bandages or dressings required. Recovery is rapid and comfortable, with minimal post-procedure limitations. The Renessa treatment offers an option for women who have tried conservative therapies such as Kegel exercises or biofeedback without success, but who cannot have or do not desire an invasive surgical procedure. To date, over 350 urologists, urogynecologists and gynecologists in 40 states have been trained and have performed the Renessa procedure in over 2500 patients.
About Novasys Medical
Novasys Medical, Inc. is a privately held, venture-backed company which develops innovative therapies in women's health. The company's initial focus is the development and commercialization of the Renessa System, a proprietary, non-surgical approach to the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI).
Source: Novasys Medical, Inc
четверг, 19 апреля 2012 г.
Giuliani's, Romney's Views On Abortion Could Affect Their Chances Of Winning Republican Party Presidential Nomination
The Los Angeles Times and USA Today on Thursday examined how the abortion views of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) could affect their chances for winning the 2008 Republican Party presidential nomination. Summaries appear below.
Los Angeles Times: Romney's "rightward shift in abortion" rights will be a major challenge in his campaign, the Times reports. Although Romney has said that he supports overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that effectively barred state abortion bans, during his Massachusetts gubernatorial campaign in 2002 he pledged to "protect a woman's right to choose," according to the Times. Romney's "ideological swerve" could raise doubts about whether he shares the core values, including opposition to abortion rights, held by many conservative evangelicals, who "dominate" the Republican primary elections, the Times reports (Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 2/1).
USA Today: Although Giuliani in a recent USA Today/Gallup poll had more voter support than other candidates for the Republican nomination, his support of abortion rights and other social issues could cause him to lose the Republican nomination, USA Today reports. According to USA Today, one in five Republicans who participated in the poll said they did not know that Giuliani supports abortion rights and same-sex civil unions. When told about Giuliani's views on such issues, one in five Republican respondents said that would "rule him out as a candidate" (Page, USA Today, 2/1).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
Los Angeles Times: Romney's "rightward shift in abortion" rights will be a major challenge in his campaign, the Times reports. Although Romney has said that he supports overturning Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that effectively barred state abortion bans, during his Massachusetts gubernatorial campaign in 2002 he pledged to "protect a woman's right to choose," according to the Times. Romney's "ideological swerve" could raise doubts about whether he shares the core values, including opposition to abortion rights, held by many conservative evangelicals, who "dominate" the Republican primary elections, the Times reports (Finnegan, Los Angeles Times, 2/1).
USA Today: Although Giuliani in a recent USA Today/Gallup poll had more voter support than other candidates for the Republican nomination, his support of abortion rights and other social issues could cause him to lose the Republican nomination, USA Today reports. According to USA Today, one in five Republicans who participated in the poll said they did not know that Giuliani supports abortion rights and same-sex civil unions. When told about Giuliani's views on such issues, one in five Republican respondents said that would "rule him out as a candidate" (Page, USA Today, 2/1).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
четверг, 12 апреля 2012 г.
Criticism Of Popular Oral Contraceptive Yaz Could Harm Product's Appeal, New York Times Reports
The popular oral contraceptives Yaz and Yasmin have been tainted recently by safety concerns raised by researchers, health advocates and lawyers for plaintiffs who have filed lawsuits against manufacturer Bayer Healthcare, the New York Times reports. These groups argue that the drugs put women at higher risk for strokes, blood clots and other health problems than some other oral contraceptives. Citing warning letters FDA sent to the company, plaintiffs' attorneys contend that Bayer was aware or should have been aware of the problems. These new concerns could "rattle consumer confidence" and harm the drugs' image as the "go-to brands for women under 35," according to some industry analysts, the Times reports.
In 2001, FDA approved Yasmin, which contains drospirenone, a progestin that can increase the body's potassium levels. According to the drug's label, the potassium increase may put women with liver and kidney problems at higher risk for serious health problems. Yaz, which also contains drospirenone and a lower dose of estrogen, was approved in 2006 as both a contraceptive and a treatment for premenstrual dysphoric disorder and moderate acne. The drugs' popularity is due in part to multimillion-dollar advertising campaigns, and together Yasmin and Yaz brought in about $1.8 billion in worldwide sales in 2008 for Bayer.
FDA in October 2008 sent Bayer a warning letter for running two false and misleading TV
ads about Yaz. FDA said the ads overstated Yaz's efficacy, promoted it for conditions -- like premenstrual syndrome -- for which it is not approved, and downplayed serious risks associated with the drug. Bayer
agreed in February 2009 to spend $20 million on a corrective ad campaign to address the misimpressions from the original campaign.
FDA sent another warning letter to Bayer in August 2009, this time regarding deviations from quality control standards at a manufacturing plant in Germany that makes drospirenone and other hormone ingredients used in the pills sold in the U.S. The letter said methods used by the facility to calculate variability in ingredients did not meet U.S. standards.
According to Bayer, the company has been served with 74 lawsuits brought by women who say they developed health problems after taking Yasmin or Yaz. According to the Times, because the drugs' labels warn of the risk of blood clots and stroke, the plaintiffs could have difficulty winning on the argument that Bayer should have issued stronger warnings. The plaintiffs might be more likely to prevail if lawyers are permitted to use the FDA warning letters to argue that misleading advertisements enticed women to take the pills, exposing them to health risks that they might not have otherwise encountered, the Times reports. Michael Santoro, an associate professor at Rutgers Business School who has studied ethics in the drug industry, said past warnings from FDA about advertising and quality control raise questions about Bayer's approach to complying with government guidelines.
An FDA spokesperson said the agency is reviewing the safety of oral contraceptives through a study designed to identify the incidence of blood clots, stroke and death among users of Yasmin and other oral contraceptives. Meanwhile, officials with Bayer said the company plans to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuits. Bayer also is conducting a postmarket study comparing Yaz's safety with that of other oral contraceptives (Singer, New York Times, 9/26).
Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.
© 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
четверг, 5 апреля 2012 г.
Minister Gallagher Renews Advice To Women Not To Drink Alcohol In Pregnancy, Ireland
Mr Pat the Cope Gallagher T.D., Minister for Health Promotion and Food Safety, last week highlighted the risk of alcohol consumption and pregnancy. Minister Gallagher stated 'I wish to endorse the advice being given by the Department of Health and Children's Chief Medical Officer. It is essential that women are provided with all the relevant information for a safe and successful pregnancy. Therefore, women need to be aware of the risk associated with alcohol consumption during pregnancy. As the evidence does not specify a safe level of alcohol consumption, the best advice to women is not to consume alcohol if pregnant or trying to conceive.'
Following publication of the report entitled 'The Coombe Women's Hospital Study of Alcohol, Smoking and Illicit Drug Use, 1988-2005' in March this year, Mary Harney TD, Minister for Health and Children asked the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in the Department of Health and Children to consider the data presented in the Study particularly with respect to the finding that most pregnant women drink alcohol. The Study found that 1 in 10 women reported drinking more than 6 units of alcohol per week in pregnancy and that this pattern was more pronounced in younger women. The CMO also reviewed the available international evidence including that from the Surgeon General in the United States and more recently from the Department of Health in the United Kingdom.
The Chief Medical Officer has concluded that:
- Alcohol consumption by pregnant women in Ireland poses a risk to unborn babies
- There is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy
- Alcohol offers no benefits to pregnancy outcomes
- It is in the child's best interest for a pregnant woman not to drink alcohol during pregnancy
The CMO is now providing unambiguous advice in relation to alcohol consumption and pregnancy.
'Given the harmful drinking patterns in Ireland and the propensity to 'binge drink', there is a substantial risk of neurological damage to the foetus resulting in Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Alcohol offers no benefits to pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, it is in the child's best interest for a pregnant woman not to drink alcohol during pregnancy.' the CMO said.
The Health Service Executive will commence work on updating and disseminating information materials for use by the general public and medical professionals to include the CMO's advice that women should avoid alcohol before and during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The HSE will also meet with relevant stakeholders with regard to developing and implementing education initiatives for health professionals on this issue.
The Department of Health and Children is consulting with relevant stakeholders on the proposal to introduce a requirement that alcohol containers and promotional materials carry a label with a health warning about drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Today's strengthened advice is issued to coincide with the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day which takes place on the 9th day of the 9th month each year (9th September).
A person having any concerns in relation to the CMO's advice on alcohol consumption and pregnancy should contact their General Practitioner or local maternity service provider.
Background
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is the umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can be caused by maternal alcohol exposure. Children identified as suffering from FASD can show signs of behavioural, intellectual and physical difficulties including learning difficulties, poor language skills, poor memory skills and attention problems.
dohc.ie/
Following publication of the report entitled 'The Coombe Women's Hospital Study of Alcohol, Smoking and Illicit Drug Use, 1988-2005' in March this year, Mary Harney TD, Minister for Health and Children asked the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) in the Department of Health and Children to consider the data presented in the Study particularly with respect to the finding that most pregnant women drink alcohol. The Study found that 1 in 10 women reported drinking more than 6 units of alcohol per week in pregnancy and that this pattern was more pronounced in younger women. The CMO also reviewed the available international evidence including that from the Surgeon General in the United States and more recently from the Department of Health in the United Kingdom.
The Chief Medical Officer has concluded that:
- Alcohol consumption by pregnant women in Ireland poses a risk to unborn babies
- There is no known safe level of alcohol consumption during pregnancy
- Alcohol offers no benefits to pregnancy outcomes
- It is in the child's best interest for a pregnant woman not to drink alcohol during pregnancy
The CMO is now providing unambiguous advice in relation to alcohol consumption and pregnancy.
'Given the harmful drinking patterns in Ireland and the propensity to 'binge drink', there is a substantial risk of neurological damage to the foetus resulting in Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Alcohol offers no benefits to pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, it is in the child's best interest for a pregnant woman not to drink alcohol during pregnancy.' the CMO said.
The Health Service Executive will commence work on updating and disseminating information materials for use by the general public and medical professionals to include the CMO's advice that women should avoid alcohol before and during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The HSE will also meet with relevant stakeholders with regard to developing and implementing education initiatives for health professionals on this issue.
The Department of Health and Children is consulting with relevant stakeholders on the proposal to introduce a requirement that alcohol containers and promotional materials carry a label with a health warning about drinking alcohol during pregnancy. Today's strengthened advice is issued to coincide with the Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Awareness Day which takes place on the 9th day of the 9th month each year (9th September).
A person having any concerns in relation to the CMO's advice on alcohol consumption and pregnancy should contact their General Practitioner or local maternity service provider.
Background
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is the umbrella term used to describe the range of effects that can be caused by maternal alcohol exposure. Children identified as suffering from FASD can show signs of behavioural, intellectual and physical difficulties including learning difficulties, poor language skills, poor memory skills and attention problems.
dohc.ie/
четверг, 29 марта 2012 г.
Neb. Bill Would Expand 'Conscience' Protections For Health Workers, Patients
On Friday, Nebraska Sen. Pete Pirsch (R) introduced a bill (LB461) that would expand protections for health workers and patients who have moral or religious objections to abortion, certain end-of-life care decisions and procedures that involve the destruction of embryos, the Lincoln Journal Star reports.
According to the Journal Star, the Freedom of Conscience Act (LB461) would require hospitals and clinics to accommodate an employee's beliefs and related practices regarding abortion care unless a patient would face death without the employee's assistance. The protections also would apply to experiments or procedures that destroy human embryos, cells or tissue.
In addition, the bill would prohibit providers and health plans from restricting patient's end-of-life care decisions.
Under the bill, plaintiffs and defendants involved in civil lawsuits regarding religious or moral discrimination would be entitled to compensation for attorney's fees. The bill would affect employers' actions regarding "admission, hiring, firing, tenure, privileges or status," the Journal Star reports (Young/O'Hanlon, Lincoln Journal Star, 1/14).
Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families.
© 2010 National Partnership for Women & Families. All rights reserved.
четверг, 22 марта 2012 г.
Survey: Doctors Need More Knowledge About Exercise And Pregnancy
Research conducted by the President of the American College of Sports Medicine and colleagues shows many doctors aren't sure what to tell their pregnant patients about exercise.
ACSM President James Pivarnik, Ph.D., FACSM, and colleagues Patricia Bauer, Ph.D., and Cliff Broman, Ph.D., surveyed 93 M.D.s, D.O.s (doctors of osteopathy) and Certified Nurse Midwives about their knowledge of exercise recommendations for pregnant women. Although nearly all respondents - 99 percent - believed exercise was good for their expecting patients, 60 percent of M.D.s and 86 percent of D.O.s weren't familiar with pregnancy exercise guidelines. The results of the survey were published in the Journal of Women's Health.
"Study after study has shown exercise to be beneficial for both mother and baby, but some doctors seem reluctant to trust that body of evidence," said Pivarnik, author of a 2006 ACSM Roundtable Consensus Statement on the Impact of Physical Activity during Pregnancy and Postpartum on Chronic Disease Risk. The Roundtable Statement discussed how exercise during pregnancy decreased mothers' risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, low back pain and more.
This decreased risk of chronic diseases and conditions is consistent with the Exercise is MedicineTM / program, which promotes exercise as a standard part of health care for all people.
Despite updated comprehensive pregnancy guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Pivarnik and colleagues study showed antiquated beliefs among some doctors. Many still believed pregnant women shouldn't push their heart rates beyond 140 beats per minute - a guideline that hasn't been used since 1985.
Pivarnik recommends all health care providers familiarize themselves with current pregnancy exercise guidelines, which are included in the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Overall recommendations can be tailored to the specific patient's needs. He also encourages health care providers to include more information about physical activity and its benefits in maternity education materials given to patients.
Source
The American College of Sports Medicine
ACSM President James Pivarnik, Ph.D., FACSM, and colleagues Patricia Bauer, Ph.D., and Cliff Broman, Ph.D., surveyed 93 M.D.s, D.O.s (doctors of osteopathy) and Certified Nurse Midwives about their knowledge of exercise recommendations for pregnant women. Although nearly all respondents - 99 percent - believed exercise was good for their expecting patients, 60 percent of M.D.s and 86 percent of D.O.s weren't familiar with pregnancy exercise guidelines. The results of the survey were published in the Journal of Women's Health.
"Study after study has shown exercise to be beneficial for both mother and baby, but some doctors seem reluctant to trust that body of evidence," said Pivarnik, author of a 2006 ACSM Roundtable Consensus Statement on the Impact of Physical Activity during Pregnancy and Postpartum on Chronic Disease Risk. The Roundtable Statement discussed how exercise during pregnancy decreased mothers' risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, low back pain and more.
This decreased risk of chronic diseases and conditions is consistent with the Exercise is MedicineTM / program, which promotes exercise as a standard part of health care for all people.
Despite updated comprehensive pregnancy guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Pivarnik and colleagues study showed antiquated beliefs among some doctors. Many still believed pregnant women shouldn't push their heart rates beyond 140 beats per minute - a guideline that hasn't been used since 1985.
Pivarnik recommends all health care providers familiarize themselves with current pregnancy exercise guidelines, which are included in the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Overall recommendations can be tailored to the specific patient's needs. He also encourages health care providers to include more information about physical activity and its benefits in maternity education materials given to patients.
Source
The American College of Sports Medicine
четверг, 15 марта 2012 г.
Alcohol Abuse More Likely To Cause Brain Damage In Females
Alcoholism has traditionally been considered a male disease because there are many more alcoholic males than females.
But a new study by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center suggests that women are more prone to brain damage from alcohol abuse than men.
The study led by Kristine Wiren, Ph.D., associate professor of behavioral neuroscience and medicine, OHSU School of Medicine, and research biologist, PVAMC Research Service, found that female mice are more susceptible to neurotoxic effects of alcohol withdrawal, including significantly increased brain cell death, than male mice. It also found the gender difference exists whether the animals are prone to severe withdrawal due to a genetic predisposition, or resistant to it.
Wiren said she was surprised by the results.
"We designed the experiment to be able to identify gene expression differences between lines of mice that are genetically selected for severe alcohol withdrawal compared with mice that are resistant to alcohol withdrawal," Wiren said. "I thought there would be a difference between the genders, but I didn't think it would be the most important thing."
She added, "The withdrawal severity phenotypes do show some differences, but they're subtle."
The study appears in the online edition of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.
Wiren and Joel Hashimoto, research associate of behavioral neuroscience at OHSU and the PVAMC Research Service, examined four groups of selectively bred mice: two female groups, including one prone to severe withdrawal and one resistant to severe withdrawal, and two similar male groups. Four control groups also were used.
Using DNA microarray or "gene chip" analysis, a laboratory process involving advanced robotics that allows large numbers of genes and their complex interactions to be observed, Wiren and Hashimoto examined 5,000 genes from the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain implicated in complex planning, personality expression and social behavior, and is involved in withdrawal-related brain circuitry. They then identified a total of 295 alcohol-regulated genes for each mouse group.
"We're interested in that part of the brain because it's important in inhibitory control. Alcoholics are unable to display good inhibitory control," Wiren said.
After identifying the alcohol-regulated gene pathways, Wiren and Hashimoto were able to home in on the extent of cell death. Ten days after alcohol withdrawal, they examined cells in the lateral parietal cortex area, which is part of the network of brain regions, in addition to the prefrontal cortex, involved in inhibitory control, and identified live and dead cells with tissue stains.
"At this one time point, which is the peak for cell death, we clearly see females are showing enhanced brain damage compared to the males. So, if you're female, the cells are dying; if you're a male, the cells are not," Wiren said. "We don't know the behavioral consequences of that, though."
What's more, Wiren and Hashimoto discovered, male brains respond to alcohol withdrawal much differently, in a potentially reparative manner.
"What we found in males is that almost 50 percent of the (alcohol-regulated) genes are involved in the pathway for cleaning things up," Wiren said. The genes respond with "removal of damaged proteins. The females have all this apoptosis (cell death) going on, and the males instead may have repair going on."
Such brain damage may underlie debilitating cognitive dysfunction and motor deficits observed in some alcoholics, according to the study. In addition, disruption of inhibitory functions in the prefrontal cortex may contribute to excessive drinking and the self-sustaining nature of alcoholism.
"The results suggest that females are more vulnerable to neurotoxic consequences of alcohol withdrawal," Wiren noted. "Everyone should be concerned about chronic alcohol consumption and severe intoxication, but females may be more vulnerable." This data is "consistent with some controversial human studies that suggest that females do develop more brain damage than male alcoholics."
Future studies, including one funded by the VA, will examine the role that hormones play in response to alcohol withdrawal, include the possibility that the male hormone androgen exacerbates cell death in males.
"What we're looking at now is the involvement of testosterone in mediating the cell death in females," Wiren said. "Not just in chronic conditions, but in acute (alcohol consumption) situations, testosterone levels drop in males. In females, they may rise."
Wiren also wants to look at a longer withdrawal time course. "Maybe males show damage at a different time point," she said. "Or it might have happened earlier and they're showing repair."
The study was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health, and all work was performed at facilities provided by the PVAMC.
Source: Jonathan Modie
Oregon Health & Science University
But a new study by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University and the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center suggests that women are more prone to brain damage from alcohol abuse than men.
The study led by Kristine Wiren, Ph.D., associate professor of behavioral neuroscience and medicine, OHSU School of Medicine, and research biologist, PVAMC Research Service, found that female mice are more susceptible to neurotoxic effects of alcohol withdrawal, including significantly increased brain cell death, than male mice. It also found the gender difference exists whether the animals are prone to severe withdrawal due to a genetic predisposition, or resistant to it.
Wiren said she was surprised by the results.
"We designed the experiment to be able to identify gene expression differences between lines of mice that are genetically selected for severe alcohol withdrawal compared with mice that are resistant to alcohol withdrawal," Wiren said. "I thought there would be a difference between the genders, but I didn't think it would be the most important thing."
She added, "The withdrawal severity phenotypes do show some differences, but they're subtle."
The study appears in the online edition of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.
Wiren and Joel Hashimoto, research associate of behavioral neuroscience at OHSU and the PVAMC Research Service, examined four groups of selectively bred mice: two female groups, including one prone to severe withdrawal and one resistant to severe withdrawal, and two similar male groups. Four control groups also were used.
Using DNA microarray or "gene chip" analysis, a laboratory process involving advanced robotics that allows large numbers of genes and their complex interactions to be observed, Wiren and Hashimoto examined 5,000 genes from the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain implicated in complex planning, personality expression and social behavior, and is involved in withdrawal-related brain circuitry. They then identified a total of 295 alcohol-regulated genes for each mouse group.
"We're interested in that part of the brain because it's important in inhibitory control. Alcoholics are unable to display good inhibitory control," Wiren said.
After identifying the alcohol-regulated gene pathways, Wiren and Hashimoto were able to home in on the extent of cell death. Ten days after alcohol withdrawal, they examined cells in the lateral parietal cortex area, which is part of the network of brain regions, in addition to the prefrontal cortex, involved in inhibitory control, and identified live and dead cells with tissue stains.
"At this one time point, which is the peak for cell death, we clearly see females are showing enhanced brain damage compared to the males. So, if you're female, the cells are dying; if you're a male, the cells are not," Wiren said. "We don't know the behavioral consequences of that, though."
What's more, Wiren and Hashimoto discovered, male brains respond to alcohol withdrawal much differently, in a potentially reparative manner.
"What we found in males is that almost 50 percent of the (alcohol-regulated) genes are involved in the pathway for cleaning things up," Wiren said. The genes respond with "removal of damaged proteins. The females have all this apoptosis (cell death) going on, and the males instead may have repair going on."
Such brain damage may underlie debilitating cognitive dysfunction and motor deficits observed in some alcoholics, according to the study. In addition, disruption of inhibitory functions in the prefrontal cortex may contribute to excessive drinking and the self-sustaining nature of alcoholism.
"The results suggest that females are more vulnerable to neurotoxic consequences of alcohol withdrawal," Wiren noted. "Everyone should be concerned about chronic alcohol consumption and severe intoxication, but females may be more vulnerable." This data is "consistent with some controversial human studies that suggest that females do develop more brain damage than male alcoholics."
Future studies, including one funded by the VA, will examine the role that hormones play in response to alcohol withdrawal, include the possibility that the male hormone androgen exacerbates cell death in males.
"What we're looking at now is the involvement of testosterone in mediating the cell death in females," Wiren said. "Not just in chronic conditions, but in acute (alcohol consumption) situations, testosterone levels drop in males. In females, they may rise."
Wiren also wants to look at a longer withdrawal time course. "Maybe males show damage at a different time point," she said. "Or it might have happened earlier and they're showing repair."
The study was funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health, and all work was performed at facilities provided by the PVAMC.
Source: Jonathan Modie
Oregon Health & Science University
четверг, 8 марта 2012 г.
Newsweek Examines Fetal Rights Debate In Courts, Legislatures
Courts across the country are deliberating cases challenging state laws affording rights to fetuses and grappling with questions about fetal rights and the rights of pregnant woman, Newsweek reports.
The magazine highlights the case of Samantha Burton, a Florida woman who was forced by court order to remain in a hospital on bed rest while pregnant because her physician believed the fetus's life was at risk. Burton, who was 25 weeks pregnant at the time of the court order, miscarried three days later. She is now challenging the court order as unconstitutional. Burton's attorney, David Abrams, said she "literally became a ward of the state, incompetent to make her own medical decisions, simply because she was pregnant." The court order stated that Burton, who had sought a second opinion, was required to comply with her doctor's advice to "preserve the life and health of [her] unborn child."
Meanwhile, Vermont state senators are debating legislation that would allow crimes resulting in the death of a pregnant woman to be prosecuted as double homicide. The legislation was introduced by state Sen. Vincent Illuzzi (R), who supports abortion rights and says that his bill notes in three separate places that it is not meant to curb a woman's right to an abortion. Thirty-seven other states have so-called "feticide" laws, 19 of which apply to early pregnancy and the rest of which specify a certain point in gestation when fetal rights begin.
According to Newsweek, the debate over fetal rights "underscores a national schizophrenia in our thinking about pregnant women, how they ought to act, and whose interests they must consider." Supporters of fetal rights say the state has an obligation to intervene to protect the safety of a fetus, just as the government would for a neglected child. Opponents say the laws strip pregnant women of their own rights. Lynn Paltrow, executive director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, said, "It makes me think we're still engaged with a fundamental question of whether, upon becoming pregnant, women are still full citizens."
Generally, courts -- including the Supreme Court -- have ruled against the state's ability to enforce fetal rights because fetuses are not recognized as people under federal law. However, the federal Unborn Victims of Violence Act, signed by President Bush in 2004, recognizes the "child in utero" as a legal victim if it is injured or killed during the commission of any of 68 federal violent crimes. Despite attempts by antiabortion-rights groups to pass state "personhood" laws that codify fetuses as people with legal rights, no state has done so (Kliff, Newsweek, 1/19).
Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.
© 2010 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
четверг, 1 марта 2012 г.
Conservative Groups Object To Surgeon General Nominee Holsinger Because Of Cloning, Stem Cell Research Statements
The Family Research Council and other conservative groups are "objecting strongly" to President Bush's nominee for surgeon general, James Holsinger, for previous statements he made in support of loosening regulations on cloning and human embryonic stem cell research, the Washington Times reports.
Tom McCluskey, vice president for government affairs at FRC, said that Holsinger at a Kentucky Legislature committee hearing in 2002 "testified in support of loosening regulations around cloning and embryonic stem cell research." He added that FRC is "not supportive of [Holsinger's] nomination right now" because "the surgeon general is such a strong bully pulpit position that we want to be sure" of his stance.
White House spokesperson Emily Lawrimore said that Holsinger's 2002 testimony against the ban on cloning was because "he felt that the penalties proposed in the bill were disproportionately severe on patients and researchers." She added that "[s]ince 2002, there have been significant advances in new techniques for potentially deriving pluripotent stem cells without cloning or destroying embryos. As such, Dr. Holsinger believes the president's cloning policy is appropriate" (Ward, Washington Times, 7/9).
Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research currently is allowed only for research using embryonic stem cell lines created on or before Aug. 9, 2001, under a policy announced by Bush on that date (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 6/20). According to Lawrimore, Holsinger would not help formulate stem cell or cloning policy. Holsinger's "main focus will be childhood obesity, so he will not be involved in determining policy related to stem cell research," Lawrimore said (Washington Times, 7/9).
Holsinger has served as secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and as chancellor of the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center. He also had a 26-year career with the Department of Veterans Affairs and served for more than 30 years in the Army Reserve. The term of the previous surgeon general, Richard Carmona, expired last summer, and Bush nominated Holsinger in May. Some lawmakers and gay and lesbian advocacy groups have raised concern about his position on gay-rights issues (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 6/11).
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) -- chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which will hold a confirmation hearing for Holsinger on Thursday -- said he is "disappointed" with Bush's nomination because Holsinger is "an individual whose record appears to guarantee a polarizing and divisive nomination process." According to the Times, there "appears to be little overt support" for Holsinger among the HELP committee's 21 members (Washington Times, 7/9).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
Tom McCluskey, vice president for government affairs at FRC, said that Holsinger at a Kentucky Legislature committee hearing in 2002 "testified in support of loosening regulations around cloning and embryonic stem cell research." He added that FRC is "not supportive of [Holsinger's] nomination right now" because "the surgeon general is such a strong bully pulpit position that we want to be sure" of his stance.
White House spokesperson Emily Lawrimore said that Holsinger's 2002 testimony against the ban on cloning was because "he felt that the penalties proposed in the bill were disproportionately severe on patients and researchers." She added that "[s]ince 2002, there have been significant advances in new techniques for potentially deriving pluripotent stem cells without cloning or destroying embryos. As such, Dr. Holsinger believes the president's cloning policy is appropriate" (Ward, Washington Times, 7/9).
Federal funding for embryonic stem cell research currently is allowed only for research using embryonic stem cell lines created on or before Aug. 9, 2001, under a policy announced by Bush on that date (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 6/20). According to Lawrimore, Holsinger would not help formulate stem cell or cloning policy. Holsinger's "main focus will be childhood obesity, so he will not be involved in determining policy related to stem cell research," Lawrimore said (Washington Times, 7/9).
Holsinger has served as secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and as chancellor of the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center. He also had a 26-year career with the Department of Veterans Affairs and served for more than 30 years in the Army Reserve. The term of the previous surgeon general, Richard Carmona, expired last summer, and Bush nominated Holsinger in May. Some lawmakers and gay and lesbian advocacy groups have raised concern about his position on gay-rights issues (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 6/11).
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) -- chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which will hold a confirmation hearing for Holsinger on Thursday -- said he is "disappointed" with Bush's nomination because Holsinger is "an individual whose record appears to guarantee a polarizing and divisive nomination process." According to the Times, there "appears to be little overt support" for Holsinger among the HELP committee's 21 members (Washington Times, 7/9).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
четверг, 23 февраля 2012 г.
Uterus Sparing Surgery Is A Safe And Effective Treatment For Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Researchers presented data at the 104th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) showing that uterus sparing surgery is an effective and safe treatment for women who want to preserve the integrity of vaginal function after pelvic organ prolapse. Hysterectomy may not be the only option for women with pelvic organ prolapse.
In the first long-term follow-up study of uro-genital prolapse repair associated with uterus preservation, researchers showed that the surgery can be effective (vaginal prolapse of less than or equal to grade 2 and cervix and/or vaginal apex remaining well supported more than six centimeters above the hymen plane). Researchers also found that 82.97 percent of the 47 patients were satisfied with the treatment results. None of the patients required further surgery and few patients reported persisting symptoms. Three patients reported persistence of voiding symptoms and six patients reported persistence of storage symptoms. Two patients reported de novo urgency and four reported de novo urinary incontinence. Sexual activity was maintained in 95.5 percent of patients.
"This study is important because it is the first long-term look at uterus sparing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse," said Anthony Y. Smith, MD, an AUA spokesman. "The findings are encouraging, not only because the procedures were so effective, but also because they will help to dispel the myth that a hysterectomy is the only treatment for pelvic organ prolapse."
Costantini, E; Lazzeri, M; Zucchi, A; Mearini, L; Del Zingaro, M; Porena, M. Long-term follow-up of uterus sparing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). J Urol, suppl. 2009: 181, 4, abstract 1355.
Source:
Lacey Dean
American Urological Association
In the first long-term follow-up study of uro-genital prolapse repair associated with uterus preservation, researchers showed that the surgery can be effective (vaginal prolapse of less than or equal to grade 2 and cervix and/or vaginal apex remaining well supported more than six centimeters above the hymen plane). Researchers also found that 82.97 percent of the 47 patients were satisfied with the treatment results. None of the patients required further surgery and few patients reported persisting symptoms. Three patients reported persistence of voiding symptoms and six patients reported persistence of storage symptoms. Two patients reported de novo urgency and four reported de novo urinary incontinence. Sexual activity was maintained in 95.5 percent of patients.
"This study is important because it is the first long-term look at uterus sparing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse," said Anthony Y. Smith, MD, an AUA spokesman. "The findings are encouraging, not only because the procedures were so effective, but also because they will help to dispel the myth that a hysterectomy is the only treatment for pelvic organ prolapse."
Costantini, E; Lazzeri, M; Zucchi, A; Mearini, L; Del Zingaro, M; Porena, M. Long-term follow-up of uterus sparing surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP). J Urol, suppl. 2009: 181, 4, abstract 1355.
Source:
Lacey Dean
American Urological Association
четверг, 16 февраля 2012 г.
Bill Introduced To Help Improve Heart Disease, Stroke Prevention Efforts Among Women
A bipartisan group of female lawmakers earlier this month introduced a bill (S 2278) that would require health information currently reported to the federal government to specify gender to improve efforts to prevent heart disease and stroke among women, CQ HealthBeat reports. The HEART for Women Act also would call for annual recommendations to Congress on efforts to improve the treatment of heart disease and eliminate disparities in care. In addition, the legislation would make available in all 50 states a CDC program that provides heart disease and stroke tests to low-income, uninsured women at no cost. The program currently is available in 14 states. Bill co-sponsor Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) said, "We all have to stop thinking of heart disease as a 'man's disease' and start insisting on improvements in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease among women." Supporters of the legislation include the American Heart Association, the American Stroke Association, the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease and the Association of Black Cardiologists (Hopkins, CQ HealthBeat, 2/22).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . ?© 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . ?© 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
четверг, 9 февраля 2012 г.
For Comfort, Mom's Voice Works As Well As A Hug
"Reach out and touch someone" - good advertising slogan, or evolutionary imperative?
How about both?
What Madison Avenue knew decades ago has been observed in brain chemistry. A simple phone call from mom can calm frayed nerves by sparking the release of a powerful stress-quelling hormone, according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Biological anthropologist Leslie Seltzer tested a group of seven- to 12-year-old girls with an impromptu speech and series of math problems in front of a panel of strangers, sending their hearts racing and levels of cortisol - a hormone associated with stress - soaring.
"Facing a challenge like that, being evaluated, raises stress levels for a lot of people," says Seth Pollak, psychology professor and director of UW-Madison's Child Emotion Lab.
Once stressed, one-third of the girls were comforted in person by their mothers - specifically with hugs, an arm around the shoulders and the like. One-third were left to watch an emotion-neutral 75-minute video. The rest were handed a telephone. It was mom on the line, and the effect was dramatic.
"The children who got to interact with their mothers had virtually the same hormonal response, whether they interacted in person or over the phone," Seltzer says.
The girls' levels of oxytocin, often called the "love hormone" and strongly associated with emotional bonding, rose significantly and the stress-marking cortisol washed away.
"It was understood that oxytocin release in the context of social bonding usually required physical contact," Seltzer says. "But it's clear from these results that a mother's voice can have the same effect as a hug, even if they're not standing there."
And the reprieve from stress or anxiety is a lasting one.
"It stays well beyond that stressful task," Pollak says. "By the time the children go home, they're still enjoying the benefits of this relief and their cortisol levels are still low."
The findings - which were published Wednesday in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B - square with a "tend and befriend" theory explaining how stress regulation may differ between males and females. Confronted with a threat, males may be more likely to choose between fight and flight. A female with offspring in tow or slowed by pregnancy, however, may have to make different choices.
"You might not be able to run with a child or defend yourself without endangering both of you," Seltzer said.
Instead, Seltzer explained, it might make more sense for a female to create or use a social bond to deal with a stressor - either through touch or soothing vocal communication.
"Apparently this hormone, oxytocin, reduces stress in females after both types of contact, and in doing so may strengthen bonds between individuals," she said.
From a modern perspective, the new understanding of oxytocin release helps explain the popularity of tearjerker long distance telephone commercials and shifts Pollak's reaction to his own students.
"For years I've seen students leaving exams and the first thing they do is pull out their cell phone and make a call," Pollak says. "I used to think, 'How could those over-attentive, helicopter parents encourage that?' But now? Maybe it's a quick and dirty way to feel better. It's not pop psychology or psychobabble."
"It's hard to get cortisol up. It's hard to get oxytocin up," he says. "That a simple telephone call could have this physiological effect on oxytocin is really exciting."
UW-Madison endocrinologist and study co-author Toni Ziegler developed with Seltzer a non-invasive test to measure oxytocin levels without inducing more stress in study subjects.
Seltzer has moved on to testing the oxytocin wake of other communication methods - like text messaging - and hopes to see the research spread out from human subjects
"It's not just us, of course. Lots of very social species vocalize," she says. "On the one hand, we're curious to see if this effect is unique to humans. On the other we're hoping researchers who study vocal communication will consider looking at oxytocin release in other animals and applying it to broader questions of social behavior and evolutionary biology."
Source:
Seth Pollak
University of Wisconsin-Madison
How about both?
What Madison Avenue knew decades ago has been observed in brain chemistry. A simple phone call from mom can calm frayed nerves by sparking the release of a powerful stress-quelling hormone, according to researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Biological anthropologist Leslie Seltzer tested a group of seven- to 12-year-old girls with an impromptu speech and series of math problems in front of a panel of strangers, sending their hearts racing and levels of cortisol - a hormone associated with stress - soaring.
"Facing a challenge like that, being evaluated, raises stress levels for a lot of people," says Seth Pollak, psychology professor and director of UW-Madison's Child Emotion Lab.
Once stressed, one-third of the girls were comforted in person by their mothers - specifically with hugs, an arm around the shoulders and the like. One-third were left to watch an emotion-neutral 75-minute video. The rest were handed a telephone. It was mom on the line, and the effect was dramatic.
"The children who got to interact with their mothers had virtually the same hormonal response, whether they interacted in person or over the phone," Seltzer says.
The girls' levels of oxytocin, often called the "love hormone" and strongly associated with emotional bonding, rose significantly and the stress-marking cortisol washed away.
"It was understood that oxytocin release in the context of social bonding usually required physical contact," Seltzer says. "But it's clear from these results that a mother's voice can have the same effect as a hug, even if they're not standing there."
And the reprieve from stress or anxiety is a lasting one.
"It stays well beyond that stressful task," Pollak says. "By the time the children go home, they're still enjoying the benefits of this relief and their cortisol levels are still low."
The findings - which were published Wednesday in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B - square with a "tend and befriend" theory explaining how stress regulation may differ between males and females. Confronted with a threat, males may be more likely to choose between fight and flight. A female with offspring in tow or slowed by pregnancy, however, may have to make different choices.
"You might not be able to run with a child or defend yourself without endangering both of you," Seltzer said.
Instead, Seltzer explained, it might make more sense for a female to create or use a social bond to deal with a stressor - either through touch or soothing vocal communication.
"Apparently this hormone, oxytocin, reduces stress in females after both types of contact, and in doing so may strengthen bonds between individuals," she said.
From a modern perspective, the new understanding of oxytocin release helps explain the popularity of tearjerker long distance telephone commercials and shifts Pollak's reaction to his own students.
"For years I've seen students leaving exams and the first thing they do is pull out their cell phone and make a call," Pollak says. "I used to think, 'How could those over-attentive, helicopter parents encourage that?' But now? Maybe it's a quick and dirty way to feel better. It's not pop psychology or psychobabble."
"It's hard to get cortisol up. It's hard to get oxytocin up," he says. "That a simple telephone call could have this physiological effect on oxytocin is really exciting."
UW-Madison endocrinologist and study co-author Toni Ziegler developed with Seltzer a non-invasive test to measure oxytocin levels without inducing more stress in study subjects.
Seltzer has moved on to testing the oxytocin wake of other communication methods - like text messaging - and hopes to see the research spread out from human subjects
"It's not just us, of course. Lots of very social species vocalize," she says. "On the one hand, we're curious to see if this effect is unique to humans. On the other we're hoping researchers who study vocal communication will consider looking at oxytocin release in other animals and applying it to broader questions of social behavior and evolutionary biology."
Source:
Seth Pollak
University of Wisconsin-Madison
четверг, 2 февраля 2012 г.
Many Women Not Using Safest Brands Of Contraceptive Pill, UK
Many women are not using the safest brands of oral contraceptive pill with regard to the risk of venous thrombosis (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism), finds a study published on bmj today.
The risk differs by type of progestogen and dose of oestrogen, and the safest option is an oral contraceptive containing levonorgestrel combined with a low dose of oestrogen, say the authors.
Since 1961, several large studies have shown a twofold to sixfold increased risk of deep venous thrombosis associated with oral contraceptive use. As a result, the oestrogen dose in combined oral contraceptives has been reduced. But it is still unclear which hormonal contraceptive is safest with regard to the risk of venous thrombosis.
So a team of researchers at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands assessed the thrombotic risk associated with currently available oral contraceptives. Their focus was on dose of oestrogen and type of progestogen.
The findings are based on data from a large study of 1,524 women aged 18-50 years with a first deep venous thrombosis and 1,760 healthy controls.
In line with results of previous studies, they found that women taking oral contraceptives have a five-fold increased risk of venous thrombosis compared with non users.
This risk differed by type of progestogen. For example, pills containing desogestrel were associated with a twofold increased risk of venous thrombosis compared with pills containing levonorgestrel. The risk of venous thrombosis was also positively associated with oestrogen dose and was highest during the first three months of use, irrespective of the type of pill used.
The authors conclude that the choice of oral contraceptive should be based on the smallest increase of side effects and, as such, the safest option with regard to the risk of venous thrombosis is an oral contraceptive containing levonorgestrel combined with a low dose of estrogen.
These findings are supported in a second study, also published today. Researchers in Denmark assessed the risk of venous thrombosis among healthy Danish women aged 15-49 years who were using different types of hormonal contraception from 1995 to 2005. A total of 10.4 million woman years were recorded and 4,213 venous thrombotic events were observed.
They found that the risk of venous thrombosis decreased with duration of use and decreasing oestrogen dose. For the same dose of oestrogen and the same length of use, oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel conferred a significantly lower risk of venous thrombosis than pills containing other types of progestogens.
Progestogen only pills and hormone releasing intrauterine devices were not associated with any increased risk of venous thrombosis.
The authors stress that the absolute risk of venous thrombosis with use of any types of combined oral contraceptives in young women is less than one in 1,000 user years. And for women of normal weight and without known genetic predispositions, they recommend a low dose combined pill as first choice for contraception.
Despite their different designs, these two studies produce remarkably similar results and confirm past studies of the risk of venous thromboembolism with the pill, says Dr Nick Dunn from the University of Southampton in an accompanying editorial. However, he points out that the absolute risk of having venous thromboembolism is low, even when taking the pill, and agrees that the products of choice should be those containing either levonorgestrel or norethisterone, with as low a dose of oestrogen as possible.
An evidence based review of information on all contraceptive methods currently available for women is also published on bmj.
Link to Dutch paper
Link to Danish paper
Link to Editorial
Link to Clinical Review
Source
British Medical Journal
The risk differs by type of progestogen and dose of oestrogen, and the safest option is an oral contraceptive containing levonorgestrel combined with a low dose of oestrogen, say the authors.
Since 1961, several large studies have shown a twofold to sixfold increased risk of deep venous thrombosis associated with oral contraceptive use. As a result, the oestrogen dose in combined oral contraceptives has been reduced. But it is still unclear which hormonal contraceptive is safest with regard to the risk of venous thrombosis.
So a team of researchers at Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands assessed the thrombotic risk associated with currently available oral contraceptives. Their focus was on dose of oestrogen and type of progestogen.
The findings are based on data from a large study of 1,524 women aged 18-50 years with a first deep venous thrombosis and 1,760 healthy controls.
In line with results of previous studies, they found that women taking oral contraceptives have a five-fold increased risk of venous thrombosis compared with non users.
This risk differed by type of progestogen. For example, pills containing desogestrel were associated with a twofold increased risk of venous thrombosis compared with pills containing levonorgestrel. The risk of venous thrombosis was also positively associated with oestrogen dose and was highest during the first three months of use, irrespective of the type of pill used.
The authors conclude that the choice of oral contraceptive should be based on the smallest increase of side effects and, as such, the safest option with regard to the risk of venous thrombosis is an oral contraceptive containing levonorgestrel combined with a low dose of estrogen.
These findings are supported in a second study, also published today. Researchers in Denmark assessed the risk of venous thrombosis among healthy Danish women aged 15-49 years who were using different types of hormonal contraception from 1995 to 2005. A total of 10.4 million woman years were recorded and 4,213 venous thrombotic events were observed.
They found that the risk of venous thrombosis decreased with duration of use and decreasing oestrogen dose. For the same dose of oestrogen and the same length of use, oral contraceptives containing levonorgestrel conferred a significantly lower risk of venous thrombosis than pills containing other types of progestogens.
Progestogen only pills and hormone releasing intrauterine devices were not associated with any increased risk of venous thrombosis.
The authors stress that the absolute risk of venous thrombosis with use of any types of combined oral contraceptives in young women is less than one in 1,000 user years. And for women of normal weight and without known genetic predispositions, they recommend a low dose combined pill as first choice for contraception.
Despite their different designs, these two studies produce remarkably similar results and confirm past studies of the risk of venous thromboembolism with the pill, says Dr Nick Dunn from the University of Southampton in an accompanying editorial. However, he points out that the absolute risk of having venous thromboembolism is low, even when taking the pill, and agrees that the products of choice should be those containing either levonorgestrel or norethisterone, with as low a dose of oestrogen as possible.
An evidence based review of information on all contraceptive methods currently available for women is also published on bmj.
Link to Dutch paper
Link to Danish paper
Link to Editorial
Link to Clinical Review
Source
British Medical Journal
четверг, 26 января 2012 г.
India To Create National Registry Of Pregnancies, Abortion To Reduce Sex-Selective Abortion, Infant Mortality
The Indian government is planning to create a national registry of all pregnancies and abortions performed in the country in an effort to curb sex-selective abortion and infant mortality, Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhury said on Thursday, the Hindustan Times reports (Chauhan, Hindustan Times, 7/13).
According to a UNICEF report released in December 2006, about 7,000 fewer girls than expected are born daily in India, and about 10 million fewer girls than expected were born in the past 20 years. The most recent Indian census figures found that the gender ratio decreased from 947 girls per 1,000 boys to 927 girls per 1,000 boys from 1991 to 2001.
The country in 1994 approved the Prenatal Determination Act, which bans the use of technologies, such as ultrasounds and sonograms, for the purpose of sex-selective abortion. The law also bans advertisements for prenatal sex determination, as well as the practice of preconception sex selection (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 4/18). India currently encourages pregnant women to voluntarily register with community health workers to receive health and nutrition services, an official said (Agence France-Presse, 7/13).
According to a UNICEF report released in December 2006, about 7,000 fewer girls than expected are born daily in India, and about 10 million fewer girls than expected were born in the past 20 years. The most recent Indian census figures found that the gender ratio decreased from 947 girls per 1,000 boys to 927 girls per 1,000 boys from 1991 to 2001.
The country in 1994 approved the Prenatal Determination Act, which bans the use of technologies, such as ultrasounds and sonograms, for the purpose of sex-selective abortion. The law also bans advertisements for prenatal sex determination, as well as the practice of preconception sex selection (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 4/18). India currently encourages pregnant women to voluntarily register with community health workers to receive health and nutrition services, an official said (Agence France-Presse, 7/13).
Government's Plan
The government would like to have public and private health centers, hospitals and maternity homes in the country to record pregnancies and abortions, Reuters reports. The government also aims to increase the number of health workers who will locate and provide care to pregnant women in rural areas (Zaheer, Reuters, 7/13). Chowdhury said that abortions will be permitted only when there is "valid and acceptable reason." According to the Hindustan Times, officials would not say what criteria would be used to determine if an abortion is "acceptable and valid."
Chowdhury said the registry also will help locate facilities that provide sex-selective abortions. An unnamed government official said that the "confidential information" recorded at the facilities "will then be passed on to local health officials who will maintain a data bank" and that the data would help officials to focus on locations that show huge gaps between the numbers of pregnancies and births (Hindustan Times, 7/13).
Reaction
Marzio Babille, UNICEF's head of health in India, said, "Registering pregnancies is good," adding, "If we act upon mothers by registering pregnancies, offering quality antenatal care, good counseling to deal with complications and an efficient transportation network, ... this would enormously help promote institutional deliveries and strengthen and expand the safe maternity scheme." Some family planning advocates said it is unrealistic to create registry in the country, in which 1.1 billion people live and more than 50% of pregnant women deliver children without medical assistance, Reuters reports.
"We cannot give elementary health services in a satisfactory way to most of our citizens, and to talk about registering pregnancies is ridiculous," Alok Mukhopadhyay, head of the Voluntary Health Association of India, said, adding, "Public awareness, empowerment of women and extension of health services are key in fighting infant mortality and feticide, as well as implementing the existing laws that forbid sex determination" (Reuters, 7/13). Ranjana Kumari, president of a consortium of women's groups called WomenPowerConnect, said that the plan could "lead to too much intrusion in somebody's private life," adding that the data will be difficult to obtain (Hindustan Times, 7/13).
PRI's "The World" on Friday included a discussion with Urvashi Bhuttalia, a writer and publisher on gender issues in India, about the proposal (Werman, "The World," PRI, 7/13). Audio of the segment is available online.
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
четверг, 19 января 2012 г.
Maternal Placental Syndrome Increases Risk of Cardiovascular Disease, Study Says
Pregnant women who experience maternal placental syndrome -- which includes high blood pressure and preeclampsia -- are three times as likely as other women to later experience cardiovascular disease, according to a study published in the Nov. 19 edition of the journal Lancet, the Toronto Star reports (Harvey, Toronto Star, 11/18). Joel Ray and colleagues at the University of Toronto studied the records of more than one million women living in Canada's Ontario province who had not had cardiovascular disease before delivering their first infant. Researchers examined the women's medical records for evidence of cardiovascular disease for an average of nine years after giving birth (BBC News, 11/18). Out of the approximately 75,000 women who were diagnosed with maternal placental syndrome, 305 experienced a heart attack, angina, stroke, or peripheral artery disease or needed surgery to open blocked arteries within nine years of giving birth. The average age of a "serious cardiovascular event" among the women was 38 years old, and the average age of first birth among study participants was 28 years old, the CP/Canada reports (Ubelacker, CP/Canada, 11/19). "We believe the maternal placental syndrome should be considered as an additional risk factor for cardiovascular disease," Ray said (Reuters, 11/17). Ray said that a woman's "metabolic state prior to pregnancy, during pregnancy and after pregnancy that predisposes her to both maternal placental syndrome and cardiovascular disease" (CP/Canada, 11/18).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
четверг, 12 января 2012 г.
New Ovarian Transplant Technique Could Expand Use Of Procedure To Preserve Fertility
Two recent advancements in ovarian transplant techniques could potentially expand the availability of the procedure for women seeking to avoid fertility problems as they age, researchers reported Monday at a meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, the AP/Yahoo! News reports. According to the AP/Yahoo! News, ovary transplants traditionally have been performed on women with cancer as a method of preserving fertility after chemotherapy or other treatments that can affect the reproductive system. The procedure involves removing the ovaries before treatment and re-implanting them after treatment is complete. Because only a handful of these procedures have been successful, ovarian transplants have been an option only for women with serious diseases. However, as more women delay having children until their 30s or 40s, researchers say the new techniques, in theory, could make it simpler for healthy younger women to have an ovary removed, frozen and then re-implanted later in life when they are ready to have children.
The first study examined how many eggs were lost or preserved in fresh and frozen ovarian tissue of 15 young women prior to the start of cancer treatment. According to the study, there was no difference in the quantity of eggs in the fresh tissue and in the ovaries frozen using a new ultra-fast technique. The study found that about 50% of a woman's eggs were lost using the traditional, slow-freezing methods of preserving the ovaries.
The second study reported on a new surgical technique to restore an ovary's function after transplantation. For the study, Pascal Piver of Limoges University Hospital and colleagues divided the transplant process into two separate procedures in an attempt to more quickly re-establish blood and hormone supplies to the ovary. In the first procedure, the researchers performed a graft of small pieces of ovarian tissue to prompt blood vessels to grow. They performed the ovary transplant three days later. The technique was successful in a woman who lost fertility because of treatment for sickle cell anemia.
Sherman Silber, director of the St. Louis Infertility Center in Missouri and a researcher for the first study, said the new techniques "could dramatically expand our reproductive life span." He added, "This is not an experimental procedure for cancer patients anymore. The question is whether more women should be able to have this option" (Cheng, AP/Yahoo! News, 6/29).
Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.
© 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
The first study examined how many eggs were lost or preserved in fresh and frozen ovarian tissue of 15 young women prior to the start of cancer treatment. According to the study, there was no difference in the quantity of eggs in the fresh tissue and in the ovaries frozen using a new ultra-fast technique. The study found that about 50% of a woman's eggs were lost using the traditional, slow-freezing methods of preserving the ovaries.
The second study reported on a new surgical technique to restore an ovary's function after transplantation. For the study, Pascal Piver of Limoges University Hospital and colleagues divided the transplant process into two separate procedures in an attempt to more quickly re-establish blood and hormone supplies to the ovary. In the first procedure, the researchers performed a graft of small pieces of ovarian tissue to prompt blood vessels to grow. They performed the ovary transplant three days later. The technique was successful in a woman who lost fertility because of treatment for sickle cell anemia.
Sherman Silber, director of the St. Louis Infertility Center in Missouri and a researcher for the first study, said the new techniques "could dramatically expand our reproductive life span." He added, "This is not an experimental procedure for cancer patients anymore. The question is whether more women should be able to have this option" (Cheng, AP/Yahoo! News, 6/29).
Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.
© 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
четверг, 5 января 2012 г.
Amnesty International Report Calls For Efforts To Address U.S. Maternal Mortality Rate
Maternal deaths in the U.S. have doubled over the last 20 years, according to a new report from Amnesty International that frames the issue "as part of a systematic violation of women's rights," Time reports. The report, titled "Deadly Delivery," found that more than two women die of pregnancy-related causes each day in the U.S. About half of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable, according to the report (Block, Time, 3/12). About 1.7 million women a year, one-third of pregnant women in the United States, suffer from pregnancy-related complications, with the lifetime risk of maternal death in this country greater than for women in 40 other countries, the report said (Smith, CNN, 3/12).
Nan Strauss, the report's co-author, said, "In the U.S., we spend more than any other country on health care, yet American women are at greater risk of dying from pregnancy-related causes than in 40 other countries." She also said, "Women are not dying from complex, mysterious causes that we don't know how to treat," adding, "Women are dying because it's a fragmented system, and they are not getting the comprehensive services that they need" (Time, 3/12).
Larry Cox, executive director of Amnesty International USA, said, "This country's extraordinary record of medical advancement makes its haphazard approach to maternal care all the more scandalous and disgraceful" (CNN, 3/12).
The U.S. maternal mortality rate was 13.3 deaths per 100,000 births in 2006, compared with 6.6 maternal deaths per 100,000 births in 1987, the report found. Amnesty said the actual number of maternal deaths could be much higher because there are no federal requirements to report such outcomes and because data collection at state and local levels is often inadequate (Time, 3/12). In addition, pregnancy-related complications that almost caused death rose by 25% since 1998.
U.S. black women have a much higher maternal mortality rate than white women. The rate for white women is 9.5 deaths per 100,000 pregnancies, compared with 32.7 deaths among black women (CNN, 3/12). At the same time, black women are less likely than white women to experience certain complications, such as hemorrhages.
According to Amnesty's report, many pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are the result of systemic failures, such as barriers to accessing care; inadequate, neglectful or discriminatory care; or overuse of interventions -- such as labor induction or caesarean sections. Poverty is a major factor in women's access to proper care, Amnesty said. However, overuse of obstetrical interventions and barriers to accessing midwives and family-practice doctors can decrease the quality of care for all women.
In the report, Amnesty requests that President Obama create an Office of Maternal Health within HHS to improve outcomes for pregnant women and reduce disparities in care, among other initiatives. It also asks the federal government to address the shortage of maternity-care providers (Time, 3/12).
Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.
© 2010 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
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