Journal of women's health
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialExtended cycle combined oral contraceptives and prophylactic frovatriptan during the hormone-free interval in women with menstrual-related migraines.
Migraine headaches are a significant problem for American women with many of them suffering from headaches around the time of their menstrual cycle. Women taking oral contraceptives in the standard 21/7 cycle regimen often suffer from headaches around the time of the hormone free intervals (HFIs) as well. Extended oral contraceptive regimens have been shown to decrease the frequency, but not eliminate these headaches. This study is a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study of participants with menstrual-related migraines (MRMs) who were initiated on extended combined oral contraceptives and given frovatriptan prophylactically during HFIs. ⋯ Extended combined oral contraceptive regimen reduces MRM severity. Frovatriptan prevents headaches during HFIs, but is associated with new headache symptoms when withdrawn.
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2014
Follow-up of gestational diabetes mellitus in an urban safety net hospital: missed opportunities to launch preventive care for women.
Our study assessed the follow-up of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the postpartum period among a racially and ethnically diverse group of women receiving care in a major urban medical center. ⋯ Despite widely disseminated clinical guidelines, postpartum glucose testing rates are exceedingly low, marking a critical missed opportunity to launch preventive care for women at high risk of type 2 DM. Failed follow-up of GDM by providers of prenatal and postpartum care also reflects a broader systems failure: the absence of a well-supported transition from pregnancy care to ongoing primary care for women.
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2014
Community-based cardiovascular disease prevention to reduce cardiometabolic risk in Latina women: a pilot program.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in women, yet significant health disparities exist for high-risk groups, including Latinas, and comprehensive, culturally relevant, and effective prevention intervention models are lacking. We used a systems approach to develop, assess, and pilot a community-based education program for improving outcomes for knowledge/awareness of CVD, cardiometabolic risk, and health behaviors in Latinas. ⋯ A bilingual culturally appropriate community-based CVD-prevention program based on health education, medical screenings, and empowerment is a successful, effective, adaptable, and replicable model to significantly improve cardiometabolic risk in Latinas.
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2014
Socioeconomic disparities in breast cancer treatment among older women.
Racial disparities in breast cancer treatment among Medicare beneficiaries have been documented. This study aimed to determine whether racial disparities exist among white and black female Medicare beneficiaries in Alabama, an economically disadvantaged U.S. state. ⋯ No racial differences were found in guideline-specific breast cancer treatment or treatment completion, but there were differences by SES. Future studies should explore reasons for SES differences and whether similar results hold in other economically disadvantaged U.S. states.
-
Journal of women's health · Apr 2014
The WISEWOMAN program: smoking prevalence and key approaches to smoking cessation among participants, July 2008-June 2013.
Tobacco use is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is the leading preventable cause of death, disease, and disability in the United States. The CDC's Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) program addresses the heart health of low-income under- or uninsured women between the ages of 40 and 64 years. This article discusses WISEWOMAN's key approaches to smoking cessation and their impact on WISEWOMAN participants' cardiovascular health. ⋯ The WISEWOMAN program has observed a smoking-cessation rate of 15% over the 5-year program period. WISEWOMAN's key approaches include continuous technical assistance that highlights quitline referrals, motivational interviewing done by program staff, and professional-development strategies for WISEWOMAN healthcare providers. WISEWOMAN will continue its programmatic emphasis on smoking cessation by partnering with state tobacco-cessation programs to work toward a lower smoking-prevalence rate among program participants.