Health care cost and access are not the only barriers women face in getting lifesaving mammograms, a new government report finds. Food insecurity, lack of transportation, less hours at work and feelings of isolation also can keep women from getting screened for breast cancer, researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discovered.… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy Poses No Risk of Autism, ADHD in Kids
There’s no evidence that acetaminophen use during pregnancy increases the risk of childhood autism, ADHD or intellectual disability, the largest study to date on the subject has concluded. The analysis of more than 2.4 million children born in Sweden included siblings not exposed to the drug before birth, researchers said. Siblings share genetics and upbringing,… read on > read on >
Can Pregnancy Accelerate Aging for Women? Study Says Yes
Pregnancy transforms women’s bodies in many obvious ways, but new research suggests it may also accelerate aging. Women who had been pregnant appeared to be biologically older than women who had never carried a child, the genetic analysis revealed. Further, more pregnancies meant more aging. “Our findings suggest that pregnancy speeds up biological aging, and… read on > read on >
Suicide Rates Have Doubled in 20 Years Among U.S. College Athletes
Suicides among U.S. college athletes have doubled over the past two years, according to data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Suicide is now the second most common cause of death for college athletes after accidents, results show. “Athletes are generally thought of as one of the healthiest populations in our society, yet the… read on > read on >
Too Many U.S. Women Disrespected, Mistreated During Childbirth
Childbirth is a harrowing ordeal, and it’s being made worse by mistreatment from health care providers during labor, a new study says. More than one in every eight women are mistreated during childbirth, researchers found. Most commonly, women’s requests for help during labor were refused or ignored, results show. Nearly 8% of women said this… read on > read on >
Early Menopause, Heart Disease a Bad Combo for Women’s Brains
Women who enter menopause before their 50s and who also have heart disease risk factors may be at especially high risk for thinking declines and later dementia, new research shows. “While cardiovascular risk factors are known to increase a person’s risk for dementia, what is lesser known is why women have a greater risk for… read on > read on >
Too Often, Postpartum Depression Goes Untreated in Black, Hispanic Women
Massive racial disparities exist in the treatment of pregnancy-related mood disorders in the United States, a new study shows. White women suffering from depression or anxiety during or after pregnancy are nearly twice as likely receive treatment as women of color are, researchers report April 1 in the journal Health Affairs. About two-thirds of white… read on > read on >
Florida Supreme Court Backs Abortion Ban, But Allows Referendum on Issue
In two separate rulings on Monday, the Florida Supreme Court backed that state’s abortion ban while also allowing a proposed constitutional amendment that could undo that ban to be placed on the November ballot. In a 6-1 vote, the court upheld the constitutionality of the state’s 15-week abortion ban, which has been in effect since… read on > read on >
Women’s Heart Risks Rise Sharply After Menopause
Menopause may cause a big shift in plaque buildup in women’s arteries, quickly bringing their heart risk to levels that equal men’s, a new study finds. “After menopause, women have much less estrogen and shift to a more testosterone-heavy profile,” explained study lead author Dr. Ella Ishaaya. “This affects the way your body stores fat,… read on > read on >
Big Improvements Seen in Spotting, Treating Mental Health Issues Around Pregnancy
Expecting or new mothers are much more likely these days to be diagnosed with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, new research shows. However, more women are also getting treated for these problems rather than roughing it out, researchers report in April 1 issue of the journal Health Affairs. “Taken together, these studies show a… read on > read on >