Women's Health News
What drugs are safe during pregnancy? There’s a shocking lack of data
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FG moves to strengthen women’s health services
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, along with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health (OSSAP-WH), is initiating new measures to improve women's health services in Nigeria. Dr. Adanna Steinacker, the Senior Special Assistant, revealed these plans during a recent meeting with women leaders and representatives of NGOs in Abuja.
The OSSAP-WH was established on September 11, 2025, under President Bola Tinubu and operates under the initiative called RenewHER, which stands for Health, Equity, and Reform. This initiative aims to enhance women's health policies in collaboration with other ministries. Steinacker emphasized the need for a nationwide approach to raise awareness about women's health issues and ensure access to available services.
RenewHER includes three key components: using digital media to improve health literacy, organizing region-specific campaigns to tackle local health priorities, and establishing coalitions for collaborative efforts to advance women's health. The initiative aims to break down barriers within institutions to make women’s health a collective national priority, with support from various health officials and organizations.
HPV screening: Menstrual blood test offers a less invasive option
A recent study suggests that testing menstrual blood for human papillomavirus (HPV) could provide a less invasive alternative to traditional cervical screenings. The findings indicate that menstrual blood samples can accurately detect high-grade precancerous lesions, similar to standard cervical samples. This self-collection method may help overcome barriers many people face when attending traditional screenings, making it a more convenient and accessible option.
HPV is a common infection that can lead to cervical cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer in women. Health experts recommend routine cervical cancer screenings for those aged 30 to 65. However, various factors such as discomfort, embarrassment, and lack of access can prevent individuals from participating in these screenings.
The study, conducted in Hubei Province, China, involved over 3,000 women who provided both menstrual blood and clinician-collected cervical samples. The results demonstrated that the sensitivity of menstrual blood samples in detecting HPV was 94.7%, indicating that this method could accurately identify those at risk for high-grade cervical lesions while offering a noninvasive alternative to traditional cervical screenings.
Women favor a girls’ night in rather than going out, new survey reveals
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Caffeinated coffee and tea could help protect you against dementia. Even a few daily cups
Drinking caffeinated coffee and tea may help protect against dementia, according to recent research. Consuming two to three cups of coffee or one to two cups of tea daily is linked to improved cognitive health. The study found midlife coffee drinkers had an 18% lower chance of developing dementia, while tea drinkers had a 14% lower risk.
The study focused on a large group of over 130,000 participants and emphasized the benefits of caffeinated beverages, as no similar advantages were seen with decaffeinated options. Experts noted that while the evidence suggests a strong association, it does not confirm that caffeine directly causes healthier aging, as other lifestyle factors may play a role.
Despite these promising findings, experts warn against increasing caffeine intake solely for brain health. Conditions like anxiety and insomnia can be aggravated by caffeine, and moderation is essential. Additionally, coffee contains beneficial compounds beyond caffeine that may contribute to health, but the overall lifestyle plays a crucial role in maintaining cognitive health.
Olympic Mom Athletes Lack Child Care and Other Support During the Games
Many Olympic athletes who are also mothers face significant challenges, especially regarding child care and support while competing. Motherhood has historically been seen as a barrier to athletic careers, but some athletes have successfully navigated both roles. Sarah Newberry Moore, a five-time national champion sailor, is one such athlete who competed in the 2024 Olympics after having her son during the pandemic. Despite her efforts to bring her child to the games, she faced difficulties because the Olympic Village historically does not accommodate athletes' families.
During the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, provisions were made for parent athletes, including a nursery for children of diaper-wearing ages and private breastfeeding spaces. However, these facilities were not accessible to Newberry Moore because her competitions were held in a different location, limiting her time with her son to brief visits. She ultimately had to skip the closing ceremony to reunite with her family. The situation for mothers competing in the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics appears to be even worse, as there will be no designated family spaces nor permanent breastfeeding facilities in the villages.
Alysia Montaño, an Olympic medalist and mother, has become an advocate for better support for mothers in sports. She founded a nonprofit to help address the challenges faced by athlete moms, including providing financial grants for travel and accommodation to ease the burden of competing while raising children. Montaño emphasized that these grants, while helpful, highlight a flawed system that needs significant improvement to support athletic mothers adequately.
AI tool predicts dementia risk, brain age, and brain cancer
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A new AI tool called Brain Imaging Adaptive Core (BrainIAC) has been developed by researchers at Mass General Brigham to predict and detect brain health issues such as dementia, brain aging, and brain cancer. This AI model is trained on nearly 49,000 brain MRI scans, enabling it to analyze large datasets and provide better predictions for various brain conditions.
BrainIAC can identify brain age, assess the risk of dementia, detect variations in brain tumors, and predict survival rates for brain cancer patients. This information can help healthcare providers make decisions about treatments or preventive measures, ultimately improving patients' quality of life and survival rates. For example, if a patient is found to be at high risk for dementia, clinicians may recommend early interventions like exercise and cognitive training.
The tool is notable for its efficiency, outperforming other specialized AI models, especially when there is limited training data. Researchers believe this AI technology has the potential to unlock valuable insights from the countless brain MRIs performed annually, supporting early detection and intervention for serious brain health concerns.
```Training for Gold While Raising a Baby: Olympic Moms Through the Decades
Women have been participating in the Olympics for over a century, but it was only at the 2024 Paris Olympics that gender equality was achieved. Despite this progress, challenges remain for female athletes, particularly regarding support for those who are pregnant or raising young children. Recent developments have begun to address these issues, such as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee introducing protections for pregnant athletes in 2022.
In a groundbreaking move, the 2024 Paris Games featured the first Olympic Village Nursery, allowing athletes to care for their children, which is a significant change since family members typically aren't allowed in the Olympic Village. Throughout history, many Olympic mothers have trained and competed while balancing motherhood, highlighting the unique challenges they face.
Famous examples of Olympic mothers include Margaret Ives Abbott, the first American female Olympic gold medalist, and athletes like Wilma Rudolph and Hayley Wickenheiser, who have celebrated victories while managing their roles as mothers. The new facilities and policies introduced in recent years reflect a growing recognition of the importance of supporting athletes who are also parents.
Demand grows for doulas who can help moms with addiction
The demand for doulas trained to support mothers dealing with addiction is rising due to concerns over maternal mortality and substance use disorders. These doulas provide essential services and emotional support to pregnant and postpartum women who face challenges related to addiction.
Cases have emerged where doulas, like Emmalee Hortin, advocate for clients with substance use disorders. In one instance, a doula recalled a client expressing strong feelings about avoiding narcotics during a medical procedure, highlighting the importance of respecting the wishes of mothers in recovery.
As awareness of these issues grows, states like Colorado and Utah are responding by expanding Medicaid coverage for doula services. Many doulas in this field have personal experiences with addiction and recovery, making them empathetic supporters for mothers navigating similar challenges.
The Illusion of Modern Medicine
The article discusses the shortcomings of modern healthcare in the United States, highlighting that despite spending large amounts of money on disease treatment, the overall health outcomes remain poor. The author, Dr. Gary Null, argues that the healthcare system primarily focuses on treatment rather than prevention, leading to a cycle of sickness and financial burden for families.
Dr. Null points out that major health agencies like the CDC and FDA do not promote healthy living or dietary choices that could prevent diseases. Instead, the food industry advertises unhealthy products that contribute to health issues. He emphasizes the need for a healthcare system that supports preventative care and educates the public on healthy lifestyle choices from a young age, contrasting it with the current model that often marginalizes well-researched health practices.
Moreover, the article criticizes the vast expenditure on military budgets while neglecting health care, suggesting that universal healthcare could save money and improve public health. Dr. Null expresses concern about the lack of collective action from healthcare professionals and the general public to demand better healthcare reform, pointing out the need for an organized movement to advocate for a more effective and accessible healthcare system.