Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · May 2020
Provider Counseling About and Risk Perception for Future Chronic Disease Among Women with Gestational Diabetes and Preeclampsia.
Background: Women diagnosed with gestational diabetes or preeclampsia are at a greater risk of developing future type 2 diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. Increased perception of future chronic disease risk is positively associated with making health behavior changes, including in pregnant women. Although gestational diabetes is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, few women have heightened risk perception. ⋯ There were no significant differences in risk perception based on age, race, education, or health insurance coverage. Conclusions: We demonstrated that women with preeclampsia and gestational diabetes are not routinely receiving health advice from providers regarding future chronic disease risk, and that women with preeclampsia are less likely to be counseled on their risk, compared with women with gestational diabetes. Provider and patient-centered interventions are needed to improve postpartum care and counseling for women at high risk for chronic disease based on recent pregnancy complications.
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Journal of women's health · May 2020
Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration as a Common Incidental Finding in Young Pregnant Women as Observed on Prenatal Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
Background: Obstetric imaging, subserving fetal evaluation, may yield incidental maternal findings. Based on prenatal magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, this study aims to investigate incidental intervertebral disc degeneration and displacement in young, pregnant women. Methods: This retrospective study included the sagittal 1.5 Tesla, T2-weighted lumbar spine images of 943 pregnant Central Europeans (age range, 18-47 years), who initially had undergone MR imaging because of sonographically suspected fetal abnormalities. ⋯ Of 943 women, 57 (6%) had disc displacements, of which 97% were in conjunction with high-grade degeneration. There was a statistically significant relationship (p < 0.001) between degeneration and age, and between degeneration and body weight. Conclusions: In young pregnant women, lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration is a ubiquitous, incidental finding, increasing from the late second decade of life onward, which may be part of physiological aging, as opposed to a small percentage of incidental disc displacements.
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Journal of women's health · May 2020
Meta AnalysisMaternal Race/Ethnicity and Postpartum Diabetes Screening: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Introduction: Fifty percent of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) may progress to type 2 diabetes with highest risk among black women. This study aims to characterize postpartum diabetes screening rates among U. S. women with GDM by racial and ethnic group to characterize potential disparities. ⋯ Discussion: Postpartum screening for diabetes after GDM remains low, and black women have among the lowest postpartum screening rates despite highest risk for type 2 diabetes progression. Reporting of race/ethnicity, screening methods, and screening time frames varied across studies. Conclusion: Future studies must standardize racial/ethnic data reporting and examine interventions that address postpartum diabetes screening and prevention.
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Journal of women's health · May 2020
ReviewTurning Chutes into Ladders for Women Faculty: A Review and Roadmap for Equity in Academia.
Despite significant progress in recent decades, the recruitment, advancement, and promotion of women in academia remain low. Women represent a large portion of the talent pool in academia, and receive >50% of all PhDs, but this has not yet translated into sustained representation in faculty and leadership positions. ⋯ This review aims to (1) synthesize the "chutes" that impede the careers of women faculty, and (2) provide feasible recommendations, or "ladders" for addressing these issues at all career levels. Enacting policies that function as "ladders" rather than "chutes" for academic women is essential to even the playing field, achieve gender equity, and foster economic, societal, and cultural benefits of academia.