Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2022
Associations of Infant Feeding with Body Composition and Cardiometabolic Health in Young Female University Students.
Background: We assessed the association of infant feeding with body composition and cardiometabolic health at 20 years in a setting where infant feeding is not associated with socioeconomic status. Materials and methods: Body size trajectory since birth, current body composition measured using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and a broad range of cardiometabolic risk factors were compared cross-sectionally among young female university students who were ever breastfed (n = 158, 120 exclusively, and 38 mainly), mixed fed (n = 124), and formula fed (n = 15, 10 mainly, and 5 exclusively) Results: Compared with breastfed and mixed fed women, formula fed women had higher serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol although fat mass, fat distribution, fasting glucose, and insulin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not differ. In addition, resting heart rates were higher in formula fed women compared with the other two groups of women although systolic and diastolic blood pressure did not differ. ⋯ On multivariate logistic regression analysis, formula feeding was associated with resting heart rates (odds ratio [OR]: 1.06, confidence interval [95% CI]; 1.01-1.12, p = 0.01) and adiponectin (OR: 1.3, 95% CI; 1.1-1.5, p < 0.001) independently of serum total and LDL cholesterol. Conclusions: Breastfeeding may be associated with favorable lipid profile and autonomic nervous function in young adults through mechanisms unrelated to adiposity, implicating potential long-term benefits of breastfeeding for cardiovascular health. Higher adiponectin in nonbreastfed women warrants further studies.
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Journal of women's health · Sep 2022
The Association of Mental Health Disorders with Takotsubo Syndrome (Broken Heart Syndrome) Among Older Women.
Background: The prevalence of mental health disorders (MHD) and takotsubo syndrome (TS), also known as broken heart syndrome, is increasing and more common in older women. Mortality among persons with TS is comparable to that of persons with myocardial infarction. Although TS is poorly understood, it is thought to be precipitated by psychological stress. ⋯ Among patients with one MHD, the odds of TS were significantly higher among those diagnosed with adjustment, anxiety, and mood disorders but lower among those with suicide ideations and personality disorders. Conclusions: The presence of MHD was associated with elevated odds of TS. Understanding underlying mechanisms linking MHD with TS will enhance MHD management.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2022
Assessment of Sex-Dependent Medical Outcomes During Spaceflight.
Background: In this study sex-differences in medical outcomes during spaceflight are reviewed and probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) is used to assess the impact on spaceflight missions of varying lengths. Materials and Methods: We use PRA to simulate missions of 42 days, 6 months, and 2.5 years. We model medical outcomes using three crews: two men and two women, four women, or four men. ⋯ In the 2.5 year mission, with resupply of medical resources, the influence of UTI in women on pEVAC decreases (0.35-0.11). Conclusion: Although resupply is unlikely for deep space missions, modeled results suggest that sex-specific medical needs can be readily managed through preventive measures and inclusion of appropriate medical capabilities. Within its many limitations, PRA is a useful tool to estimate medical risks in unique environments where only expert opinion was previously available.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2022
Public-Private Partnerships to Lower the Risk of Diabetes Among Black Women Using Cooperative Agreements: The National Diabetes Prevention Program and the Black Women's Health Imperative.
The National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) is a partnership of public and private organizations working to build a nationwide delivery system for a lifestyle change program (LCP), which is proved to prevent or delay onset of type 2 diabetes in adults with prediabetes. Through this program, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) establishes partnerships with organizations to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by using the evidence-based and audience-tailored LCP. The DP17-1705 cooperative agreement aims to expand the reach of the program in underserved areas and to populations currently underrepresented in the program relative to their risk. ⋯ The Change your Lifestyle, Change your Life (CYL2) program resulted from a partnership between CDC and the Black Women's Health Imperative. Successes and challenges associated with this program are highlighted. Lessons learned from these efforts can be used by practitioners to inform future type 2 diabetes prevention initiatives.
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Journal of women's health · Aug 2022
Deferring Risk: Limitations to the Evidence in Product Labels for Vaccine Use in Pregnancy.
Background: The gaps in clinical trial evidence about vaccination in pregnancy have serious implications for health care worker and public misunderstandings. Contradictions between National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) recommendations and regulatory product labeling information contribute to misinformation about vaccine safety and effectiveness. Methods: A mixed methods approach that included a stakeholder consensus decision-making workshop and a national survey of Canadian health care providers (HCPs). ⋯ Conclusions: Applying social risk theories, we show how such gaps in information defer responsibility for decisions about disease risk and vaccine safety from regulatory agencies and vaccine manufacturers onto HCPs and their clients. This may be especially relevant for COVID-19 and other emerging vaccines that are initially authorized for conditional or emergency use, and especially in understudied populations such as pregnant people. More frequent updating and alignment of robust, unbiased, and independently reviewed clinical trial and postmarket safety and effectiveness evidence with NITAG recommendations would allay HCP and public misunderstandings.