Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2025
A Commitment to Gender Equity in Medicine: An American Medical Women's Association Position Paper.
Background: The American Medical Women's Association (AMWA) highlights the ongoing gender inequities in the medical profession, particularly in pay, leadership roles, workplace treatment, and work-life integration. Objective: To present evidence of gender disparities in medicine, analyze their root causes, and propose strategies for fostering a more equitable and inclusive environment. ⋯ Recommendations: AMWA advocates for transparent pay structures, robust antidiscrimination policies, comprehensive support for physician mothers, and a shift toward work-life integration to ensure that all physicians can thrive professionally and contribute fully to patient care. Conclusion: By addressing these inequities, the medical profession can create an environment where all physicians thrive professionally and contribute fully to patient care.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2025
2025 SWHR Women's Health Research Agenda: Prioritizing Uterine Fibroids, Lupus, and Metabolism.
Women face unique and multifaceted challenges throughout their lifespans, shaped by biological, societal, and health care-related factors. These challenges have led to gender disparities in disease burden, access to care, and representation in medical research, underscoring the need to increase targeted investments in women's health. Historically, research on diseases that disproportionately affect women has been underfunded, hindering progress in closing gender health gaps. ⋯ The Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR) has consistently led the charge to identify research gaps and advocate for evidence-based initiatives to improve the health and well-being of women. In celebration of its 35th anniversary, SWHR introduces a 2025 Women's Health Research Agenda, which outlines key priorities in the areas of uterine health, autoimmune disease, and cardiometabolic health. This agenda serves as a strategic roadmap for stakeholders to engage with critical areas of women's health, fostering collaboration and accelerating research to address the unmet needs of women across the lifespan.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2025
A Decade of Oocyte Cryopreservation: New Horizons in Patients Accessing Care.
Objective: Utilization of fertility preservation treatments has increased since the American Society for Reproductive Medicine lifted the "experimental" label for oocyte cryopreservation in 2012. This study characterizes changes in insurance coverage, clinical outcomes, and live birth probabilities over a span of a decade (2012-2022) in patients who underwent planned oocyte cryopreservation. Methods: Retrospective analysis of planned oocyte cryopreservation cycles using vitrification from 2012 to 2022. ⋯ Younger participation in extending fertility is likely driven by a boost in social awareness regarding reproductive aging, cryopreservation technologies, and improved access to treatment. Modern oocyte cryopreservation includes more access to insurance coverage, shown by nearly half of current cycles benefiting from plan support. Shifts in patient demographics and insurance coverage, paired with updates to stimulation protocols that optimize oocyte yield, are expected to improve the overall prognosis and future fertility of patients who utilize thawed oocytes.
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Journal of women's health · Jan 2025
Breastfeeding Among First-Time Mothers Reporting Housing Insecurity and Food Insecurity.
Background: Despite health benefits to both infants and mothers, many are not breastfeeding as recommended by national guidelines. Prior studies examining the effects of housing insecurity and food insecurity on breastfeeding intention and duration have been limited and yielded mixed findings. Methods: To assess the relationship among housing insecurity, food insecurity, and breastfeeding, we conducted a secondary analysis of a cohort of nulliparous U. ⋯ In both bivariate and multivariable models, housing insecurity was significantly associated with cessation of breastfeeding before 12 months. Food insecurity was not significantly associated with breastfeeding duration or exclusivity. Conclusions: Housing insecurity is associated with and may adversely impact infant feeding, highlighting the need for screening and accessible and affordable family housing, with further investment in food assistance programs such as WIC.