MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'global issues'. Sun, 25 Jul 2010 11:21:29 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3701668&cid=t_127007_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fblisstree-video-of-the-day-7%2F There are a lot of crappy things going on in the world right now. From oil spills to financial turbulence to wars that seem to drag on forever, and everything in between, it’s easy to feel like there’s nothing we can do about anything. Turns out, some problems are a lot easier to fix than you might think. So here’s your dose of inspiration for the day. It’s called The Girl Effect: Post from: BlissTree The Girl Effect: (Inspirational) Video of the Day (Source: Breastfeeding 1-2-3) Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3701668 Sat, 26 Jun 2010 15:00:53 +0100 3701668 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3658916&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F13%2Fweekly-news-round-up-things-to-unsee-edition%2F I had to look at the Cosmo website for a reason unrelated to my own interests/reading. There are no words for the steaming pile of bullsh*t-distractions-for-women that I found there. Apparently there is an article I might be interested in, but I could not will myself to find it. [warning for implied sexual violence] Something else I want to unsee – B pointed out this ridiculous game called “icing” in which dudes play by presenting each other with an otherwise unpalatable barely alcoholic beverage and being forced to drink it. As she notes in her piece for the Scene’s blog, it’s not so much the game itself, as the language around it, especially on a website for the game. Like, “there is nothing more insulting than being forced to take and knee and public... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3658916 Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:54:39 +0100 3658916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3635688&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F06%2Fweekly-news-round-up-glad-its-finally-june-edition%2F Over at Our Bodies Our Blog recently, I’ve posted on the CDC’s new guide to contraceptive use safety (with relevant parts linked for easy access, as the guide itself is kind of difficult to navigate), the Defense authorization that would repeal both “don’t ask don’t tell” and prohibitions against abortions in Department of Defense medical facilities, debate about over-the-counter genetic testing, a CDC working group’s outline of a plan to address infertility, and the FDA’s transparency initiative. And, hey! this year’s 2010 Women’s Health Heroes were also announced! Big thanks to everybody who submitted nominations and/or voted – go check out the winners and inductees. Some other things that caught my eye: The Women Delive... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3635688 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 15:47:54 +0100 3635688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3502782&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F04%2F25%2Fweekly-news-round-up-weather-radio-edition%2F I spent most of yesterday* listening to the weather radio repeatedly sound its alarm (we had tornado watches and severe thunderstorm warnings most of the day), watching the driveway fill up with water, and wondering what the lightning just hit to make that sound. It seems only right to start the round-up, then, with tornado safety tips: from NOAA; for kids; from the CDC; in Spanish; from the Red Cross. Nominations for the Our Bodies Ourselves 2010 Women’s Health Heroes awards are open through this Friday! Science & Sensibility has an interview with Judith Rooks about the use of nitrous oxide for labor pain relief and her advocacy for expanding the availability of this method in the United States. RH Reality Check has a couple of pieces responding to the meme that younger women ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3502782 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 16:30:21 +0100 3502782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3251161&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F07%2Fweekly-news-round-up-snow-free-edition%2F A new edition of the Carnival of Feminists is up at Zero at the Bone – thanks to the host for including a couple of OBOS posts! Last week, NPR ran a piece on new book, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” which I heard and posted about. I really should have one ahead and put a hold on it at my public library at the time; I waited until yesterday to do it and am now #39 in line for the book. Renee at Womanist Musings asks “Do Black Women’s Reproductive Rights Even Matter?” with regard to the lack of feminist response to racially targeted anti-abortion campaigns such as one in Atlanta that calls black children an “endangered species.” Renee explains that “As proof of this claim they offer the fact that Blacks account for 30% of the general pop... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3251161 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:03:21 +0100 3251161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3227690&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F31%2Fweekly-news-round-up-snowed-in-edition%2F Nashville got a few inches of snow on Friday, and I’m still not sure about getting down the hill for work tomorrow. Snow day! Local and law student Goldni has two good posts this week, one on Roeder’s trial, and one on the parents who tried to get the dictionary removed from school because it contains *gasp* adult words. She writes: …the fact that it took a whole committee to decide that it would do more good than harm to let the kids use the dictionary, and the fact that there are still some parents who may think that the dictionary may be just too scandalous for their kids, is profoundly disturbing. As a librarian, I couldn’t agree more. Christine also posted on the Roeder verdict at Our Bodies Our Blog. I actually got a copy of the partner abuse/birth control... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3227690 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:05:16 +0100 3227690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3185267&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F19%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-aid-for-women-in-haiti%2F At Our Bodies Our Blog, Christine has compiled some links to and info on organizations focused on addressing the health needs in Haiti, particularly the needs of women and girls, during and beyond the initial aid effort. Posted in Global Issues, Help Somebody, Women's Health (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3185267 Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:17:15 +0100 3185267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3182137&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F17%2Fweekly-news-round-up-117%2F First things first: fellow librarian Cliff Landis is matching donations to Partners in Health toward Haiti relief, up to $10,000 (matched to be up to $20,000), through February 28. Via Ms. Magazine, Ultrasound Requirement Approved by KY Senate Committee. It would require women to have and view (with physician commentary/description) an ultrasound prior to an abortion (and so differs from some other laws in that many require it to be offered but not viewed). I’ve written before that I find the whole forced ultrasound business to be paternalistic BS that assumes women just don’t know what they’re doing when they go for an abortion. And when about 60% of U.S. women who have abortions are already mothers? And just about everybody else has had some other woman show them a fuz... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3182137 Sun, 17 Jan 2010 17:35:25 +0100 3182137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3171829&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F13%2Fhaiti-lists-of-ways-to-help%2F In which I make a list of some lists of ways to contribute aid to Haiti. At Feministe, How to Help Haiti, with a list of orgs, advice to look for and donate to groups with Haiti-specific information and projects, and some good suggestions of additional orgs in the comments. From the Washington Post, a list of organizations accepting donations for relief efforts in Haiti. From NPR, Haiti: Some Ways To Help. At Mashable, Haiti Earthquake Relief: 9 Ways to Help Now. From the New York Times’s Lede Blog, Haiti Disaster Relief: How to Contribute. Includes a reminder to check places like the GuideStar database (I like Charity Navigator) for info on charities. Not a list: MADRE is one or I haven’t seen on these other lists; they are reportedly working directly with a clinic in Hai... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3171829 Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:55:09 +0100 3171829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3108313&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F20%2Fweekly-news-round-up-1220%2F Assorted things I’ve been reading this week: Via NPR, Ban Lifted On Federal Funding For Needle Exchange. Applications are open to be a Spring semester site for the Great American Condom Campaign. Applications close January 3rd. I would love it if somebody near me got a site and wanted to talk about it! At the New York Times on health reform, Negotiating to 60 Votes, Compromise by Compromise. Planned Parenthood issued a statement opposing the Nelson amendment and says, “it is a sad day when women’s health is traded away for one vote.” A presentation last year on Vanderbilt’s PEPFAR work in Africa (on YouTube). The Midwest Teen Sex Show has a great interview with Scarleteen’s Heather Corinna, Heather Corinna Doesn’t Eat Man Soup. The Choices Campus ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3108313 Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:42:40 +0100 3108313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084712&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F12%2F13%2Fweekly-news-round-up-1213%2F The DVD for “A Walk to Beautiful,” fistula documentary I’ve written about here in the past, is on sale through the 24th. @vuglobalhealth has a bunch of tweets from a lecture on women and reproductive health in resource-limited settings from UCSF’s Dr. Purnima Madhivanan. One key line from a piece in The Nation on proposed cosmetic surgery tax, NOW’s opposition to it, and feminism: “Feminism is about fighting a discriminatory society, not about accepting that discrimination and making it more cost-effective for women to capitulate to it.” The Joint Commission has resources on preparing for doctor visits. Aunt B points to the Swedish renaming of the hymen to “vaginal corona.” Every Day, Good Women Choose Abortion – at RHRC. Laure... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084712 Sun, 13 Dec 2009 19:49:49 +0100 3084712 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3029769&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F26%2Fworld-aids-day-tues-dec-1-free-hiv-testing-in-nashville%2F Tuesday, December 1 is World AIDS Day. To mark the day in Nashville, Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee is offering free HIV screening at their D.B. Todd Blvd location. Details here. An event is also being held at The Belcourt, described as “a multimedia journey through HIV/AIDS.” Posted in Events & Observances, Free Stuff, Global Issues, HIV/AIDS (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3029769 Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:51:13 +0100 3029769 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3018938&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F22%2Fweekly-news-round-up-1122%2F Assorted things of interest from the previous week. It’s not nearly as controversial as the USPSTF’s breast cancer screening recommendations, but ACOG released a new practice bulletin on cervical cancer screening. The New York Times has coverage of the change, which is basically that women can wait until up to 21 years of age to start getting Pap tests, and then can get Paps every 2-3 years instead of every year once they’ve had a few normal tests. This is not entirely new – the USPSTF’s 2003 recommendations are very, very similar. (so, 6 years from now, we’ll be cool w/ the breast cancer recs?) Some lots of Vick’s Sinex nasal spray are being recalled due to bacterial contamination. The FDA has tips on holiday food safety. Presented without commen... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3018938 Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:40:16 +0100 3018938 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012339&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F20%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-cdc-reverses-hpv-vaccine-requirement-for-immigration%2F At Our Bodies Our Blog this week, I cover the CDC’s new vaccination criteria for U.S. immigration, which removed HPV and zoster (chicken pox) from the required vaccines. I also have a bit about why the HPV vaccine requirement was problematic, links to previous related posts, and links to organizations for women of color that issued a statement applauding the change. Meanwhile, C’s post on the new mammogram recommendations has useful explanation of the change and a lively comments section. Posted in Access, Rights, & Choice, Boobs, Cancer, Ethics, Global Issues, Government, HPV, Infectious Diseases (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012339 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:10:37 +0100 3012339 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993720&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F15%2Fsunday-news-round-up-1115%2F Lots of good stuff at Our Bodies Our Blog as usual, including a new post from OBOS intern Meg Young on Reebok’s ridiculous new sneaker ad. The FDA is looking into caffeinated alcoholic beverages and considering whether they are safe and/or legal (via NPR). On Stupak, NPR has a good explanation of the red tape barriers to abortion that would be created by the amendment. RaceWire launched a LGBT Racial Equity Toolkit with the note “Though this website was developed especially to inform philanthropic efforts and mobilize support for LBGTQ communities of color, there’s a lot here that could benefit the wider community involved in all kinds of social justice efforts.” The “Perspectives” section can be browsed by topic – some of them touch on aging, HIV/A... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993720 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:45:36 +0100 2993720 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2973883&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F08%2Fweekly-news-round-up-118%2F Christine has a post at Our Bodies Our Blog about the passage of the health reform legislation last night. She notes As I watched Democrats congratulate themselves, it was difficult to feel celebratory. Passage of the Stupak amendment — which bars a government-run insurance plan from offering abortion *and* prohibits women who receive government insurance subsidies from purchasing private plans that include abortion coverage — sucked a lot of the energy out of the room. She has a number of posts on health care reform and especially the Stupak amendment from yesterday, with links to a number of additional resources and roll call vote results, so I won’t try to duplicate all of that info here – I’m still trying to catch up on and absorb all of the intricacies. See Our B... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2973883 Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:44:46 +0100 2973883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2875941&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F08%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog%2F A couple of my recent posts at Our Bodies Our Blog: New Briefs on Health Reform Discuss Comparative Effectiveness Research, Women’s Access to Care Massachusetts Report Provides Insights into Barriers that Remain After Health Reform Providers’ Liability Concerns Limit Women’s Birth Options Christine has had a bunch of great posts, including: Support OBOS: Know an Employer in Massachussetts Interested in Charitable Giving? Rapes in New Guinea Show Escalating Government Crime Against Women FC2 Female Condom Available in the U.S.; CVS Stores in Washington, D.C. First to Sell Condoms Directly to Consumers Put Simply, It’s Rape: Chris Rock on Roman Polanski Reading List: Crash Course in Sex Ed for Adults Posted in Abuse, Rape, & Safety, Birth, Contraception, Global Issues, Govern... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2875941 Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:33:06 +0100 2875941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2812368&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F09%2F20%2Fsunday-news-round-up-92009%2F I have to say, I haven’t had time to fully read and digest the Baucus/Senate Finance Committee’s 223-page [PDF] stab at health care reform. Christine had a bit about it at Our Bodies Our Blog on Wednesday, and Raisin Women’s Voices has a list of reasons they believe the bill is not good, especially for women. The New York Times had a piece on the bill “draw[ing] fire on both sides.” Another Times piece indicates that 564 amendments to the bill were filed in the past couple of days. The proposed amendments are currently available here. *** A Harvard public health grad, Mikhaila Richards, has set up a site about health disparities called Sick. It’s relatively new, but looks promising. I particularly liked this Auust piece on patient-clinician communicatio... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2812368 Sun, 20 Sep 2009 15:55:31 +0100 2812368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2727076&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F23%2Fweekly-news-round-up-82309%2F Lots of stuff at Our Bodies Our Blog as usual. One I didn’t get around to linking last week is a piece about how Washington State is attempting to reduce c-sections by equalizing Medicaid reimbursements for vaginal birth vs. (non-emergency) c-section. The New York Times Magazine has a special issue this week on women, including an interview with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on her approach to global women’s issues. The National Sexuality Resource Center has launched the Cool Aunt campaign, centered around the trusted adults in a child’s life when s/he is unwilling or unable to obtain needed information about sex and growing up from her/his own parents. I’m often thought I would give the nieces/nephews a copy of S.E.X when they’re a little older (it&#82... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2727076 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 16:33:14 +0100 2727076 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2715904&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F19%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-direct-to-consumer-drug-advertising-and-a-double-double-dose%2F At Our Bodies Our Blog, I have a bit on pharmaceutical advertising and recent NY Times pieces on the topic, and Christine has Double Dose parts one and two, covering everything from Hillary Clinton on women’s rights to Mad Men. Posted in Advertising/Marketing, Drugs, Global Issues, Miscellaneous, News Round-Ups (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2715904 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 13:07:31 +0100 2715904 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2703803&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F15%2Fglobal-health-e-learning-center-provides-online-public-health-education%2F The Global Health e-Learning Center “developed by the USAID Bureau of Global Health is a response to repeated requests from field staff for access to technical public health information.” Although intended for these public health workers, the e-Learning Center is freely accessible online for anyone who completes a short registration process. Registered users can then work through a number (currently 31) of online courses in a self-directed manner – each includes an estimate of the time needed for completion, course objectives, quizzes for self-assessment of knowledge, final exams, and certificates for successful completion. Available courses cover a number of women’s health-related topics such as family planning 101 and family planning counseling, hormonal methods ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2703803 Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:56:48 +0100 2703803 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2641274&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F26%2Fweekly-news-round-up-14%2F Lots of stuff at Our Bodies Our Blog worth reading. I’m not biased at all. Renee at Womanist Musings also has a bunch of links to posts worth checking out. One of them I particularly liked was this one on kids and gendered language. This website from the Cancer Financial Assistance Coalition is intended to help cancer patients locate financial assistance and manage cancer care costs. MADRE is solicting help for food aid in Darfur. The Women’s Bioethics Project has a book club selection that I need to add to my to-read list: Normal at Any Cost: Tall Girls, Short Boys, and the Medical Industry’s Quest to Manipulate Height From First, Do No Harm, a blog highlighting examples of fat prejudice in healthcare, this is exactly why many people simply decide not to go back to ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2641274 Sun, 26 Jul 2009 20:16:03 +0100 2641274 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2641275&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F26%2Fa-walk-to-beautiful-available-on-dvd%2F Last year, I posted about the shortened version of the film, “A Walk to Beautiful,” which appeared as part of the NOVA program on PBS. The full feature-length version with filmmaker commentaries and two new short films is now available on DVD, and can be ordered online via walktobeautiful.com. The film focuses on the impact of obstetric fistula in Ethiopia, and the short version I saw was extremely moving, so I encourage you to check out the website and find out more. Posted in Birth, Global Issues, Vaginas & Vulvas, Women's Health (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2641275 Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:04:38 +0100 2641275 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2588171&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F09%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-female-condoms-electronic-fetal-monitoring-and-art-action%2F From Our Bodies Our Blog: Female Condom to be Reintroduced in Uganda, United States ACOG Issues New Practice Bulletin on Continuous Electronic Fetal Monitoring And Christine has this cool one on subverting the magazine rack: One Easy Way to Be Beautiful (Just the Way You Are) Posted in Access, Rights, & Choice, Birth, Contraception, Global Issues (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2588171 Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:55:07 +0100 2588171 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2561195&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F30%2Flast-minute-clicks-needed-at-scienceblogs-click-by-the-end-of-today-june-30%2F Just a reminder that several bloggers over at ScienceBlogs are donating their blog revenue from June to Doctors Without Borders as part of their Silence is the Enemy campaign “to draw more attention to the sexually abused around the globe and to encourage everyone to talk about it and act.” As I mentioned at the beginning of the month, the campaign has a particular focus on mass rape as a weapon. Right now, a bunch of the participating bloggers are highlighted at the stop of the ScienceBlogs site. Because their revenue (and donation amount from each blogger) is affected by their blog traffic, go on over and click a bunch of them (not just the ScienceBlogs homepage) before the end of today. You might even stay and read some of the posts while you’re at it. Posted in Abus... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2561195 Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:24:06 +0100 2561195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2515169&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F25%2Fat-our-bodies-our-blog-prenatal-care-maternal-mortality-and-breast-implants%2F This week at Our Bodies Our Blog, I have posts on a neat program in rural Kentucky which incorporates dental care into a CenteringPregnancy model of prenatal care, and the inclusion of prevention of maternal mortality and morbidity in a recent resolution from the UN Human Rights Council. Christine also has an interesting post on proposed legislation on breast implants and informed consent. Posted in Abuse, Rape, & Safety, Access, Rights, & Choice, Birth, Body Image & Eating Disorders, Boobs, Ethics, Global Issues, Pregnancy (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2515169 Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:15:57 +0100 2515169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2452342&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F03%2Fsilence-is-the-enemy%2F A couple of bloggers are spearheading an effort to raise awareness of the use of mass rape as a weapon as well as funds for Doctors Without Borders, which works with many of the victims of these crimes. Sheril at Discover’s The Intersection and Dr. Isis at ScienceBlogs’s On Becoming a Domestic and Laboratory Goddess are apparently coordinating the campaign, inspired by Nicholas Kristoff’s recent piece in the New York Times, After Wars, Mass Rapes Persist – a piece which focuses largely on mass rape in Liberia, where “An International Rescue Committee survey in 2007 found that about 12 percent of girls aged 17 and under acknowledged having been sexually abused in some way in the previous 18 months…Of the 275 new sexual violence cases treated between Janu... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2452342 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:45:42 +0100 2452342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2441090&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F29%2Fglobal-womens-health-unfpa-and-a-tweetchat-today%2F Just got this email-passing along in case you’re interested in participating: Hi Rachel, Americans for UNFPA is hosting a chat on Twitter today to share ideas about global women’s health and rights. I encourage you and your readers to participate by adding #forwomen to the ideas you tweet. You can also watch the conversation at: http://search.twitter.com/search?q=%23forwomen. Americans for UNFPA works in the U.S. to support the United Nations Population Fund, the world’s largest multilateral source of funding for global women’s health. Best, Darius www.americansforunfpa.org/iam Americans for UNFPA also has a short quiz for you to test your knowledge of a few global women’s health issues, and is working to build “moral, political and financial support within the Unit... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2441090 Fri, 29 May 2009 14:49:00 +0100 2441090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2404979&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F10%2Fweekly-news-round-up-9%2F Questions are the Answer – The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has put together an online guide for patients to questions to ask of healthcare providers. Includes a checklist. I love checklists. On the Rachel Maddow show the other week, a clip in which an infectious disease expert rates various reactions to swine flu on a scale from “prudent” to “hysterical,” and another in which Matthew Shepard’s mom offers a clear explanation of the difference between hate crimes and other crimes. Judy Shepard was on the show in part to react to North Carolina Representative Virginia Foxx’s (erroneous and evil) claim that the idea that Shepard was murdered because he was gay “a hoax.” Shelby Knox writes about funding for abstinence-only s... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2404979 Sun, 10 May 2009 15:28:28 +0100 2404979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2380697&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F29%2Fswine-flu-resources%2F First, I should acknowledge that the links below are largely culled from the list my colleagues and I have been collecting here over the past couple of days, so I didn’t personally find each one, and I’m simply reposting a selection here directly for dissemination purposes. See the link above or visit the CDC site directly if you’d like the links to additional guidances for clinicians and laboratory personnel. All that said, here are some useful links to swine flu information on the web. Let me know in the comments if you need help finding more information, especially from the resources for clinicians, labs, and genetics/researchers that I’ve largely omitted below. U.S. Federal Agencies: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) human swine influenza informa... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2380697 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 15:02:06 +0100 2380697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2375798&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F26%2Fweekly-news-round-up-8%2F Assorted links that caught my attention this week: Swine flu information from the CDC. CDCemergency is tweeting info and resources, and a Twitter search for “porcina” picks up a lot of Spanish-language discussion (there have been lots more cases in Mexico). See also the Secretary of Health site (in Spanish). Is it too early to panic? Just a few more days to nominate your Women’s Health Heroes! Submissions due May 1. Our Bodies Ourselves has a new Facebook page - come be a fan! Why Accidents (The Pregnant Kind) Happen, from NPR. 1,000 Calories a Day: Officially Not Torture, from Sweet Machine at Shapely Prose Not exactly health-related, but PBS is running a series called “We Shall Remain,” “a provocative multi-media project that establishes Native histor... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2375798 Sun, 26 Apr 2009 17:27:09 +0100 2375798 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347678&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F19%2Fweekly-news-round-up-7%2F The CDC released updated Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents. A relatively new journal I wasn’t aware of until this week: International Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics This type of thing is fascinating to me - an analysis of chat room questions on herpes from the American Social Health Association’s chat - they figure out what people had questions about, and could potentially use that to make providers more aware of the types of concerns, questions, and misinformation patients are carrying around - Common Questions about Herpes: Analysis of Chat-Room Transcripts (PDF) From RH Reality Check, “People Who Are Refused Reproductive Health Care Can’t Always ‘Just Go Someplace Else!&#... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347678 Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:58:55 +0100 2347678 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2347686&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F12%2Fweekly-news-round-up-6%2F Don’t forget to nominate your Women’s Health Heroes! April 13 on Fresh Air - “Michelle Goldberg discusses the politics, ideology and history of reproductive rights around the world.” Lauredhel at Hoyden About town is asking for disability activism book recommendations, and received a number of suggestions in the comments. RH Reality Check is launching what seems to be a community blog-type feature. Lauren O at blogofchampions has some questions about that anti-gay marriage ad. The Southern Poverty Law Center has The Bandana Project, “part of a national initiative to end workplace sexual violence against farmworker women.” A number of folks on why date rape is not funny and why they will not be seeing movie Observe & Report. I usually dislike campai... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2347686 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:01:40 +0100 2347686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306027&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F05%2Fweekly-news-round-up-5%2F You can nominate your Women’s Health Hero for the Our Bodies Ourselves contest through May 1. There’s also a related Facebook group. Remember, you have until April 9 to comment on the proposed rule that would rescind the Bush administration’s provider “conscience” rule. Earlier this month, UN Secretary-General’s Database on Violence Against Women was launched. It contains data resulting from a 2008 questionnaire sent to all UN Member States asking about laws, resources, and approaches to violence against women. The database does not seem complete, but may be a good starting resource for those seeking information about these issues. Via Mar at The Mongoose Chronicles I learned of the Women’s Health Advocacy Network, “an NGO dedicated to add... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306027 Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:18:09 +0100 2306027 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306057&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F29%2Fweekly-news-round-up-4%2F The New England Journal of Medicine has a Perspectives piece from Julie D. Cantor, M.D., J.D. about the HHS conscience rule. Don’t forget - you have only until April 9 to submit your public comment regarding the potential rescinding of the rule. At Our Bodies Our Blog, Christine points to real problems with the seemingly innocuous Real Age quiz online, including how your responses are sold off to advertisers. A colleague found this story that I see as related, How Big Pharma Listens in on Doctor Networks. C also linked to the webcast, The Effect of the Economic Downturn on the Health of Communities of Color, which is archived online. I haven’t seen it yet, but I recently learned of the film Not Yet Rain, and the descrip sounds promising: Not Yet Rain, a Lisa Russell film pro... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306057 Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:01:47 +0100 2306057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2284187&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F22%2Fweekly-news-round-up-3%2F Melissa at Shakesville has a great post on why the way some young girls have reacted to the Rihanna/Chris Brown situation shouldn’t be a surprise. Kate at Shapely Prose points out the evil in learning that body dissatisfaction increases girls’ suicide risk and jumping to the conclusion then that this is “cost of obesity” instead of a huge problem with how we treat people’s bodies. NPR covers an appalling story of abuse of institutionalized, mentally disabled people in one Texas institution. End Poverty 2015 has the following chat event details (visit the site for advance registration and question submission): On March 25, 2009 at 10:00 am Eastern Standard Time, Annie Raja, General Secretary of the National Federation of Indian Women, and Dr. Jemima A. Denni... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2284187 Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:11:23 +0100 2284187 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2270151&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F15%2Fweekly-news-round-up-2%2F Your Sunday digestables. I’m sure there are plenty of great things I’ve missed, so feel free to leave your links in the comments (as long as they’re not spammy, which is at my discretion). A campaign to get people to stop saying “retarded” as an insult. There are a bunch of video PSAs on YouTube related to this project. Relatedly, if you missed it before, Wanda Sykes in a PSA asking people to stop using “gay” as an insult. Bird food also contaminated by salmonella-tainted peanut butter? Two open access, freely available online journals may be of interest to readers: Conflict and Health, and BMC International Health and Human Rights. The Observer on the problem of sexual assault in Haiti. Domestic violence knowledge path from the Maternal and Chi... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2270151 Sun, 15 Mar 2009 15:54:20 +0100 2270151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2167147&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F02%2F06%2Fevents-at-vanderbilt-vagina-monologues-gender-identity-and-darfur%2F Some upcoming events of interest for those in the Nashville area: “Gender Embodied,” the first in a four-part series, “The Anatomy of Identity” Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m Free and open to the public Schulman Center at Vanderbilt “Come explore how gender is a part of how we move and how we are taught to move with lively discussion and active exploration with Nora Spencer, director of LGBTQI Life and Erin Law, assistant director of Vanderbilt Dance Program.” More info One Night, One Voice, an advocacy night to End Violence Against Women in Darfur Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 7-9 p.m Free and open to the public, but reservations are required Art Room in the Divinity School at Vanderbilt “There will be a screening of the documentary Violence Against Wom... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2167147 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:12:52 +0100 2167147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2134461&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F26%2Funfpa-funding-restored%2F Last week, President Obama restored funding to the United Nations Population Fund. According the UNFPA’s release: President Obama said: “I look forward to working with Congress to restore U.S. financial support for the U.N. Population Fund. By resuming funding to UNFPA, the U.S. will be joining 180 other donor nations working collaboratively to reduce poverty, improve the health of women and children, prevent HIV/AIDS and provide family planning assistance to women in 154 countries.” For some relatively recent history and discussion from the Bush administration, see this June post from Our Bodies Our Blog. So that means that at least two things from my Blog for Choice Day 2009 wish list have already been taken care of. Thanks to Cara from the Ovarian Cancer National Allia... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2134461 Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:51:42 +0100 2134461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2113336&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F01%2F18%2Fnews-round-up-2%2F All the content from HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt’s blog has been removed, with the note that “The Secretary’s Blog will be available soon as a historical record in the HHS Archive.” Here’s hoping that archive includes all the posts that blatantly misrepresented the “conscience” issue, especially the dodging of birth control concerns, the comments, and the licensing issue. Because it would be a shame if Leavitt’s misleading and erroneous claims were disappeared. Check out the Amplify site, “a project of Advocates for Youth, is an online community dedicated to sexual health, reproductive justice, and youth-led grassroots movement building.” I Heart Guts is recalling their plush uterus because the ovaries may be pulled off and prese... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2113336 Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:28:48 +0100 2113336 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2039426&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F16%2Fnews-round-up-your-gift-bag-of-important-links%2F Some things that have caught my eye recently: The Add Your Voice campaign asking that Obama make Darfur a priority from day one. Send this message to our President-Elect: Dear Mr. President: As a candidate you promised “unstinting resolve” to end the genocide in Darfur. I urge you to keep that promise by making Darfur a priority from day one of your term to achieve: * Protection of civilians from violence, starvation and disease * Sustainable peace for all Sudan * Justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators The Add Your Voice website also features logos and tools for bloggers who write about the issue, the Be a Voice for Darfur blog, videos, and other information about the issue. RHRC has a piece from Rep. Nita Lowey on why the Global Gag Rule should be repe... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2039426 Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:40:22 +0100 2039426 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2004797&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F12%2F02%2Fblog-round-up%2F I’m taking it easy on blogging through the holidays, and the spouse just got Lich King, so don’t expect serious every day posting to resume until the new year. However, here are a few things to occupy your eyeballs. – Today’s post at OBOS summarizes three recent studies, on abortion and mental health, attitudes toward breast cancer, and trends in c-section among women who have previously given birth vaginally. – Also at Our Bodies Our Blog (the OBOS blog), Christine has action alerts on birth centers and HIV/AIDS. I missed World AIDS Day, but Christine has the goods on that as well. – Big thanks to everybody (including David Rothman and my grad school advisor, Ellen Detlefsen) who sent me links to the Global Library of Women’s Medicine , a freely a... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2004797 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 00:38:27 +0100 2004797 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1974542&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F11%2F19%2Fnews-round-up-big-ol-bag-of-repro-health-stuff%2F A few things that have caught my eye lately: Several folks are talking about the HHS proposed rule on “physician conscience,” including equal employment opportunity concerns, the focus on pushing this through quickly without public hearing at the end of the Administration, and other issues. See Christine at OBOS, the New York Times, RH Reality Check, Feministing, and the Wall Street Journal Health Blog. The Ovarian Cancer National Alliance has an online interview video with Kathy Bates talking about being an ovarian cancer survivor. Monday at OBOS, I wrote about a Cochrane piece on midwife-led vs. other models of maternity care, including the findings and my reservations about the piece. Anna Clark has an intriguing piece at RHRC on travel, lodging, and abortion access. Nat... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1974542 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:59:18 +0100 1974542 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1870425&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F12%2Fmaternal-mortality-in-sierra-leone%2F Today’s Washington Post has a piece on maternal mortality in Sierra Leone (which is now prominently featured on the site’s homepage). The author notes: “According to the United Nations, a woman’s chance of dying in childbirth in the United States is 1 in 4,800. In Ireland, which has the best rate in the world, it is 1 in 48,000. In Sierra Leone, it is 1 in 8.” It’s a multi-page piece on the situation and worth a read, part of a special series from the Post on the struggles of women around the globe. Posted in Birth, Global Issues, Pregnancy, Women's Health       (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1870425 Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:25:27 +0100 1870425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1794030&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F15%2Fon-requiring-hpv-vaccines-for-immigrants-to-the-us%2F I first heard a week or so ago that the United States is going to require the HPV vaccine (when age-appropriate) among the mandatory vaccines for those seeking legal permanent residency. I have not been opposed school systems making the vaccine mandatory - with the caveat of generous opt-out provisions - because this action often triggers coverage of the very expensive vaccine which many families could not otherwise choose because they could not afford it. However, requiring the vaccine for immigrants troubles me. There is no opt-out provision that I’m aware of, and as far as I know there is not then the same assistance with the vaccine price as there would be for U.S.-born schoolchildren. The woc phd blog has a much lengthier discussion of vulnerable populations, but I will add tha... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1794030 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:20:33 +0100 1794030 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1775219&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F09%2F08%2Fmadre-blogs%2F MADRE, an international human rights organization, has *just* launched a blog, myMADRE. The organization is also collecting donations for emergency relief in Haiti following the recent hurricane. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1775219 Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:44:14 +0100 1775219 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1679210&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F04%2Fquick-links-3%2F Things you should be aware of, even if I haven’t had a chance to address them properly. From Sunday’s New York Times, Immigrants Facing Deportation by U.S. Hospitals - “American immigration authorities play no role in these private repatriations, carried out by ambulance, air ambulance and commercial plane. Most hospitals say that they do not conduct cross-border transfers until patients are medically stable and that they arrange to deliver them into a physician’s care in their homeland. But the hospitals are operating in a void, without governmental assistance or oversight, leaving ample room for legal and ethical transgressions on both sides of the border.” Renee at Womanist Musings on Angie Zapata. murdered trans woman. This website provides info on Lavena John... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1679210 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:18:03 +0100 1679210 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1674352&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F01%2Ffriday-health-videos%2F Over at OBOS - Friday Videos: Abortion, Breastfeeding, and Healthcare - links to videos on abortion in Brazil, World Breastfeeding Week, the Cover America tour interviewing folks about healthcare expenses and coverage, and the full video for “Birth of a Surgeon.” Update: Also out today, a new installment of Target Women from Sarah Haskins, this time on birth control. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1674352 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 20:34:13 +0100 1674352 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1674354&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F08%2F01%2Fboston-globe-on-juana-villegas%2F Today’s Boston Globe has an editorial on the treatment of Juana Villegas - interesting that the story is still moving its way across the country, nearly a month after the pregnant Villegas was jailed on a minor traffic violation *just in case* she might be an illegal immigrant, was shackled during birth labor, and denied access to her newborn for breastfeeding or a breast pump. The meat of the piece: Needless to say, the 287(g) program wasn’t intended to snare pregnant women. Rather, it is supposed to help officers “pursue investigations relating to violent crimes, human smuggling, gang/organized crime activity, sexual-related offenses, narcotics smuggling, and money laundering,” according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Yet the perceived need for even l... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1674354 Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:32:11 +0100 1674354 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1630682&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F07%2F16%2Fmedia-coverage-of-birth-related-issues-around-the-globe%2F Today at Our Bodies Our Blog, I have info and links on last night’s “Birth of a Surgeon,” the recent “A Walk to Beautiful,” and Chicago Public Radio’s interview with Judy Norsigian and Carrie Klima. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1630682 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:46:21 +0100 1630682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1556147&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2F30%2Funfpa-funds-withheld-again%2F At Our Bodies Our Blog today, UNFPA Funds Withheld Again. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1556147 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 20:01:48 +0100 1556147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1511887&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2F12%2Fanother-humorless-feminist-i-am-not-your-pet-women-and-lies%2F There really are some things of little immediate consequence that I find terribly unfunny, and I think are worth addressing. First, the “buy and sell your friends” applications in Facebook and MySpace. It really rubs me the wrong way to receive a notification that “Some a-hole bought you as a pet.” When I saw the post at random babble on this, I found out that I’m not alone in my uneasiness. There are real people being bought and sold all over the world, including in the United States. There are real women and men and children being trafficked and enslaved. I don’t find it cute or funny to pretend to buy one another as “pets.”* I am not the least bit interested in some phony estimation of your worth or mine in U.S. dollars. I am even less in... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1511887 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 18:37:29 +0100 1511887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1496826&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F06%2F06%2Ffriday-news-round-up-2%2F Assorted stories for your Friday enjoyment (with some I obviously need to read in more detail before commenting further here): The FDA has updated its website on dental amalgam (”silver” fillings) to say, “Dental amalgams contain mercury, which may have neurotoxic effects on the nervous systems of developing children and fetuses…FDA’s rulemaking will examine evidence concerning whether release of mercury vapor can cause health problems, including neurological disorders, in children and fetuses.” Background information and details on the FDA’s new public comment period on whether to more strictly control mercury-containing fillings is available here. Via the New York Times, a retired gynecologist recalls the days before Roe v. Wade, noting, ” It... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1496826 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 14:42:47 +0100 1496826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1472132&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F27%2Fpopline-problem-not-entirely-resolved%2F In early April, the government-funded reproductive health database, POPLINE, could no longer be searched for abortion topics because of its ties to the USAID (of Global Gag Rule Fame). Essentially, the USAID folks can’t give money to agencies who even ta Just two days later, and after considerable protest from librarians, feminists, and reproductive health activists, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (where the database is managed) issued a statement explaining that the blocking of access to articles that related to abortion was a mistake and pledging to both restore the search and fully investigate the situation. As a librarian, however, I was not entirely satisfied by the response from Johns Hopkins, because the criteria for omission from the database are not clea... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1472132 Wed, 28 May 2008 00:19:38 +0100 1472132 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1442540&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F05%2F14%2Fa-walk-to-beautiful%2F I watched “A Walk to Beautiful” on PBS last night, and it was an extraordinarily powerful documentary on the impact of obstetric fistula in Ethiopia. Set primarily at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, the piece profiles three women who seek medical assistance and hope after years of uncontrollably leaking urine and/or feces, living in huts, and being shunned by their communities and families. You really just have to watch this for yourself. The NOVA website indicates that what aired last night is “a 50-minute version of an original feature-length film of the same name, two of whose ‘characters’—Zewde and Yenenesh—do not appear in the NOVA version.” More information about the film, including screenings, is available at walktobeautiful.com. To learn ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1442540 Wed, 14 May 2008 14:51:56 +0100 1442540 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1390846&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F04%2F22%2Fhappy-earth-day-alternative-reusable-menstrual-products%2F Of course I was going to bring up reusable menstrual products on Earth Day - what other women’s health-related topic fits so neatly? There are definitely environmental issues associated with your choice of menstruation product, considering how often we need such items over our lifetime. I haven’t touched on this in a while, so I thought it might be time to revisit your earth-friendly and earth-friendlier options. Some women like traditional, disposable pads and tampons but are concerned about production issues of more familiar brands such as the use of agricultural pesticides and genetically modified crops to produce the items. Natracare is probably the best known provider of organic/natural versions of tampons and pads; I used these when I lived in the co-op, because that&#821... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1390846 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:54:15 +0100 1390846 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1257820&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F02%2F26%2Fdoing-mris-to-see-where-the-lube-goes%2F I just came across a study in the March issue of the journal “Contraception” entitled “Vaginal distribution of Replens® and K-Y® Jelly using three imaging techniques.” Yes, they really did lube up some women and then do MRIs, gamma scintigraphy, and imaging with a fiberoptic probe at intervals (5 minutes, 20 minutes, etc.) after the lube was inserted. Yes, they checked on the effects of walking around on lube spread, and whether obesity or not having had a baby previously made a difference. No, they did not study what happens to the lube when you apply and then immediately get it on, as I would assume is the normal method of lube use. The article is all “linear spread” and “maximum coverage area.” You might be wondering, as I did, what was ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1257820 Tue, 26 Feb 2008 10:38:01 +0100 1257820 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1254947&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F02%2F25%2Fmicrobicides-2008-happening-now-in-new-delhi%2F For links to information on microbicides for HIV prevention and early releases from the conference, see my post today at Our Bodies Our Blog. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1254947 Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:45:10 +0100 1254947 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1136405&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F01%2F08%2Fthe-ethical-concerns-of-paid-surrogacy%2F You’ve probably seen media reports recently about folks in the U.S. paying women in India to carry pregnancies for them. In my post yesterday at Our Bodies Our Blog, we look at some of the ethical concerns. Come on over and join the discussion. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1136405 Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:31:52 +0100 1136405 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1128459&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F01%2F03%2Fupdate-on-problems-at-afghan-maternity-hospital%2F An update via persistent AJC reporter Alison Young, and a few questions, today at Our Bodies Our Blog. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1128459 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 19:14:56 +0100 1128459 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1084061&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F12%2F10%2Fwaxman-calls-for-investigation-into-conditions-at-kabul-maternity-hospital%2F What happened when the U.S. got involved in the Rabia Balkhi maternity hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, ostensibly to improve maternity care and the infant death rate? The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been trying to find out, and, following up on their reporting, Rep. Henry Waxman is demanding to know more. According to the AJC’s reporting, visitors in 2003 found feces on the walls and placentas piling up in sinks just a month after former HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson stated that “Today is a new day in Afghanistan, where we now have a new hospital for women to receive top-notch health care.” This is the same hospital profiled in the documentary Motherland Afghanistan, which I previously reviewed. Head on over to Our Bodies Our Blog for more details, including links to... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1084061 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 21:57:27 +0100 1084061 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1082023&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F12%2F09%2Fsunday-morning-linkage-health-discussions-forced-sterilization-and-more%2F I just learned of the blog “Cure This,” which seems to be hosting some interesting commentary on issues around health and healthcare. One recent post addressed routine infant circumcision in the U.S., provoked by this physician commentary in U.S. News & World Report. Dr. Healy’s opinion piece includes this statement: I caution parents, however, against delaying the decision until the child is old enough to decide for himself. Get real. Not many teenage boys would relish the discussion, let alone the act. Nor do I think they would have the perspective to weigh the medical pros and cons. Just, wow. I can understand that this is a touchy subject among parents, and appreciate a weighing of the medical evidence (which, incidentally, I don’t think is thorough enough ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1082023 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 15:07:28 +0100 1082023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1081467&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F12%2F08%2Fmaking-your-holiday-donations-count-for-women%2F Following up on this post at Tiny Cat Pants, I’ve been browsing around a lot of blogs by women of color to try to understand what I may be blind to in my own feminism, and what I may be missing when I talk about women’s health from my middle class professional white woman perspective. These three posts by brownfemipower at the Women of Color blog particularly stuck with me, and reminded me that there is a lot of work to be done that I haven’t been fully aware of. I also read a lot of the critiques of Jessica Valenti of Feministing’s book, Full Frontal Feminism, of both the cover and the content, and I agree with a lot of the points made, so maybe I’m just in a particularly anti-Feministing mood at the moment. The thing that is bothering me, that has been both... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1081467 Sat, 08 Dec 2007 18:21:23 +0100 1081467 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1048305&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F11%2F24%2Fnews-round-up-112407%2F The Seattle Post-Intelligencer talks about “first-period kits.” I looked at some of the links (especially this one, which includes 5 thong liners) and thought, “Boo. I could do a better job of this.” Who wants me to make ‘em a first period kit? Women. Cardboard boxes. Apparently they’re the same thing, and should be considered equally. Young girls learning to “articulate safe boundaries” with regards to sexual activity is apparently “mumbo jumbo,” according to a Fox News whatsit. In other news, people on cable news shows talk past each other. Crafty and decorative - the tampon turkey. I can’t find it on their website, but Feministing says that the Family Violence Prevention Fund is looking for women who have had partners sab... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1048305 Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:51:28 +0100 1048305 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=955884&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F10%2F16%2Fnew-figures-on-worldwide-maternal-mortality%2F A new report on has been released by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund and the World Bank summarizing maternal deaths around the world in 2005 and trends between 1990 and 2005. A summary of the findings is available in this post at Our Bodies Our Blog. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=955884 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:21:59 +0100 955884 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=944294&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F10%2F11%2Ftwo-new-posts-at-obos-breast-cancer-violence-in-the-congo%2F War on Women Continues in the Congo, on the rape epidemic in the eastern region of the DRC. The Obligatory Breast Cancer Post, because it’s breast cancer awareness month. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=944294 Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:36:22 +0100 944294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=816462&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F22%2Fa-bit-of-housekeeping%2F I wanted to have a collection of links to my guest-posts at Our Bodies Our Blog in one place for my own future reference. Check ‘em out if you haven’t already. -Midwifery on the Rise in Afghanistan to Combat Maternal Deaths (8/21) -Double Dose: Sex Ed via Text Message, Abortion Access, Female Circumcision in Egypt, and More (8/20) -BlogHer Poll to Set Global Health Agenda (8/18) -Anti-Choice Judge Steps Aside in Tiller Case (8/17) -Pregnant Woman Denied Care Over VBAC - (8/17) -Racial Bias in Heart Disease Treatment (8/16) -HPV Vaccine is for Prevention, not Treatment (8/15) (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=816462 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:30:56 +0100 816462 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=813834&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F21%2Fafghan-midwifery-on-our-bodies-our-blog%2F I’ve just finished up my week of guest-blogging at Our Bodies, Our Blog, wrapping up with a piece on the resurgence of midwifery in Afghanistan. Again, big thanks to Christine Cupaiuolo (the regular OBOS blogger) and web manager Kiki Zeldes for letting me take the keys for a week. Be sure to drop by the site if you haven’t already. (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=813834 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:05:49 +0100 813834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=806863&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F18%2Fblogher-poll-to-set-global-health-agenda%2F The women of BlogHer are seeking input on a global health agenda for BlogHers Act, “a year-long initiative in which members of BlogHer, both on BlogHer’s network and in our extended communities, will work to make a measurable improvement in Global Health.” According to their announcement: BlogHers Act will take a two-pronged approach to improving Global Health:   The members of BlogHer and our extended communities will work together to select a single global health issue on which we want to effect a measurable improvement in the coming year. By measurable, we seek to demonstrate progress on Global Health via key metrics to be determined (e.g., signatures, votes, donations, letters, live births, etc.). We will use an array of online and offline resources, actions and init... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=806863 Sat, 18 Aug 2007 14:51:36 +0100 806863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=774055&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F08%2F02%2Fcarnival-against-sexual-violence-28-is-up%2F abyss2hope has posted the latest issue of this roundup of blog posts addressing sexual violence. This post mentioning the coalition being formed in Nashville due to fears of sex trafficking is included. I was struck by another post in the carnival - this piece from the Sudan: The Passion of the Present blog talks about the lost *girls* of Sudan and how their stories have been overlooked in all the attention to the “Lost Boys.” (Source: Women's Health News) Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=774055 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:29:41 +0100 774055 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=737428&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F07%2F16%2Fnew-coalition-to-combat-human-trafficking-in-tennessee%2F According to a piece in the Nashville City Paper, Nashville will become home to the 19th Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking Coalition, a program of the federal Department of Health and Human Services. According to an expert with the U.S. Department of Heath and Human Services (HHS), there are more victims of human trafficking and sex slavery in Nashville than local and even federal authorities are aware of.   But because trafficking victims are “brainwashed” into believing they will be subject to even worse abuse at the hands of U.S. authorities who will treat them like criminals, the majority of trafficking victims continue to deny they are being held against their will even after they are discovered and their captors are arrested.   “Trafficking victims do n... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=737428 Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:21:31 +0100 737428 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=735463&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F07%2F15%2Fhealth-information-for-travelers%2F The CDC has released the 2008 edition of the Yellow Book, a health risk reference for travelers. The book can be purchased in print, but is free online at the CDC site. Topics covered include: -Pre- and Post-travel General Health Recommendations -Geographic Distribution of Potential Health Hazards to Travelers -Prevention of Specific Infectious Diseases -Yellow Fever Vaccine Requirements and Information on Malaria Risk and Prophylaxis, by Country -Non-Infectious Risks During Travel -Conveyance and Transportation Issues -International Travel with Infants and Young Children -Travelers with Specific Needs The CDC website also lets you pick your destination to view travel notices, recommended and required vaccines, health risks for the location, what to bring with you, and tips on staying heal... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=735463 Sun, 15 Jul 2007 16:38:15 +0100 735463 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=702972&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F06%2F28%2Fnews-round-up-62807%2F Low birth defect risk from antidepressant use [Note: I haven’t had a chance to read any of the studies mentioned in this post yet, so remain pleasantly skeptical] Egypt strengthens ban on female genital cutting Biggest study yet backs Glaxo cervical cancer shot “Permanent makeup” can disfigure long term C-section not linked to poorer infant health, although we’re reminded that this is not a go ahead for inappropriate use of the procedure. Google has established a health advisory council. Kevin, MD thinks there aren’t enough medical bloggers or young people. Emergiblog wants to know where the nurses are. I want to know how a company trying to connect people to health information doesn’t bother to get a few medical librarians on board, given that’s ... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=702972 Fri, 29 Jun 2007 02:08:30 +0100 702972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=691915&cid=t_127007_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2007%2F06%2F23%2Fanother-look-at-birth%2F The RHRealityCheck blog has had a great series discussing issues of childbirth recently, including: Home Delivery Video Video on a midwife-assisted home birth. My plug-ins for viewing embedded videos at home are currently uncooperative; let me know your raction in the comments. Sent Away: A New Look at Maternity Group Homes We’ve talked about maternity homes here previously, especially with regards to the 3 escaped teens in Utah. Check out Lindsay Beyerstein’s piece for details on how these homes operate and how they approach the girls who are sent to them. Why Women Deliver? Why Now? On the Women Deliver program, working to improve maternal and newborn health around the globe. Interview with Jennifer Block, Author of “Pushed” Blogger Amie Newman has a great interv... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=691915 Sat, 23 Jun 2007 13:25:00 +0100 691915