Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Jun 2017
Disparities in Assisted Reproductive Technology Utilization by Race and Ethnicity, United States, 2014: A Commentary.
Disparities in infertility and access to infertility treatments, such as assisted reproductive technology (ART), by race/ethnicity, have been reported. However, identifying disparities in ART usage may have been hampered by missing race/ethnicity information in ART surveillance. We review infertility prevalence and treatment disparities, use recent data to examine ART use in the United States by race/ethnicity and residency in states with mandated insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization (IVF), and discuss approaches for reducing disparities. ⋯ In 2014, A/PI women had the highest rates of ART utilization. ART utilization for all racial/ethnic groups was higher in states with insurance mandates for IVF than those without, although disparities were still evident. Although mandates may increase access to infertility treatments, they are not sufficient to eliminate these disparities.
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Journal of women's health · Jun 2017
ReviewMarital Status, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Review of the Evidence.
There is evidence showing that marital status (MS) and marital disruption (i.e., separation, divorce, and being widowed) are associated with poor physical health outcomes, including for all-cause mortality. We checked for the available evidence on the association between MS and cardiovascular (CV) diseases, outcomes, and CV risk factors. ⋯ Most studies showed better outcomes for married persons, and men who were single generally had the poorest results. Moreover, being married was associated with lower risk factors and better health status, even in the presence of many confounding effects.
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Journal of women's health · Jun 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialContraceptive Use and Pregnancy Incidence Among Women Participating in an HIV Prevention Trial.
Recent HIV prevention trials required use of effective contraceptive methods to fulfill eligibility for enrollment. We compared pregnancy rates in a subset of participants enrolled in the Microbicide Trials Network protocol (MTN-003), a randomized trial of chemoprophylaxis to prevent HIV acquisition among women aged 18-45 years who initiated depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) or combined oral contraceptives (COCs) at enrollment, relative to those already using DMPA or COCs. ⋯ New contraceptive users, regardless of method, at the Uganda MTN-003 site had an increased pregnancy risk compared to established users, which may be due to contraceptive initiation primarily for trial eligibility. New users may benefit from intensive contraceptive counseling and additional contraceptive options, including longer acting reversible contraceptives.
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Journal of women's health · Jun 2017
Intimate Partner Violence and 5-Year Weight Change in Young Women: A Longitudinal Study.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) and obesity are national public health problems that are potentially associated. We examined the association between IPV exposure and 5-year weight gain in young women. We also examined whether depressive mood conferred additional increases in weight gain. ⋯ Survivors of IPV with depressive mood may have accelerated weight gain. Trauma-informed obesity prevention strategies may be warranted in this group.
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Journal of women's health · Jun 2017
High Initiation of Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy Among Uninsured Stages I-III Breast Cancer Patients Treated in a Safety-Net Healthcare System.
Despite benefits of adjuvant hormonal therapy (AHT), many eligible breast cancer patients do not complete therapy as recommended. Patterns of AHT use have not been well studied among uninsured breast cancer patients who fall into coverage gaps or are ineligible for public insurance programs. ⋯ Safety-net healthcare systems providing access to AHT (i.e., through reduced copays) could improve the number of eligible patients initiating therapy. Continuity and integration of care in these settings may reduce disparities frequently observed in uninsured, low-income breast cancer populations.