Women's Health Activist articles from January 2009

Women's Health Activist archives from January 2009

New directions in reproductive health and justice advocacy: yes we can!
January 1, 2009... IN NOVEMBER, THE UNITED STATES ELECTED a president who campaigned by calling on all of us to believe and engage in making real change in the country. The Congressional election results--which strengthened support for abortion rights and family...

Health care reform: now's the time to make our voices heard.
January 1, 2009... I almost spilled the mug of hot tea I was holding when I saw the article in the paper one morning recently. What could make me lose my grip on a hot drink? Well, now that I think of it, a lot of things could do that--I'm actually pretty clumsy!...

March board meeting.
January 1, 2009... The NWHN board of directors will meet next in Hollywood, FL on March 21-22, 2009. NWHN members are welcome to join us for parts of the weekend. If you are interested in attending, please contact the office for more information at 202.347.1140.

Leaders receive NWHN Barbara Seaman Award for Activism in Women's Health.
January 1, 2009... On October 6th, over 65 guests gathered to launch the NWHN's Barbara Seaman Award for Activism in Women's Health. While the event honored the memory of the Network's co-founder, Barbara Seaman, it was also a fundraising success that generated...

New national maternity care performance measure set: much-needed tool to improve the health of U.S. women & children.
January 1, 2009... There are serious problems with the quality of maternity care in the U.S. On the one hand, there is widespread "overuse" of practices that expose women and babies to harm while offering little or no benefit. Examples include breaking open the...

Disordered eating and obsessive exercise: the dangerous cycle.(young FEMINISTS)
January 1, 2009... It's difficult to pinpoint exactly when my obsession with food, diet, and exercise began. From a young age, I was always smaller than my peers, and remained on the low end of the height and weight charts. I was a very active child, involved in...

A recent study has taken a closer look at how contraception affects women's sexual enjoyment.(WOMEN'S HEALTH SNAPSHOTS)
January 1, 2009... A recent study has taken a closer look at how contraception affects women's sexual enjoyment. Researchers found that physical pleasure was only one aspect of enjoyment women seek from sex, and that pleasure was clearly linked with contraceptive...

In a rare study of discrimination during prenatal and obstetrical care, nearly 20% of mothers reported discrimination by providers during prenatal care, labor, or delivery.(WOMEN'S HEALTH SNAPSHOTS)
January 1, 2009... In a rare study of discrimination during prenatal and obstetrical care, nearly 20% of mothers reported discrimination by providers during prenatal care, labor, or delivery. Using data from the 1998-99, 2000, and 2001 Oregon Pregnancy Risk...

Maintaining muscle mass is crucial to reduce the risk of falls, a risk of particular importance for women with osteoporosis.(WOMEN'S HEALTH SNAPSHOTS)
January 1, 2009... Maintaining muscle mass is crucial to reduce the risk of fails, a risk of particular importance for women with osteoporosis. Their risks are elevated because women aged 65 years and older have more difficulty than men the same age in preserving...

Public health workers raise their voices for health care for all.
January 1, 2009... Even in the safe setting of a public health meeting, she still couldn't use her full name when she told the truth about her pre-existing condition. "Jackie" (not her real name) explained to the women and men who had gathered to take part in the...

Tribute gifts to NWHN: a thoughtful way to commemorate someone special.(List)
January 1, 2009... IN HONOR OF Amy Allina Linda Busch Susan Benjamin Diana Laskin Siegel Dr. Craddock of Women & Children's Clinic Wendy Price Emily Dixon Nancy Kyle Ellen Harding Carol E. Dixon Fran Hoberman...

Preventing cervical cancer: pap tests, HPV vaccines & common sense.(Prescription for Change)
January 1, 2009... A 59-year old physician friend of ours told us that her gynecologist sends her cards every year urging her to come in for an annual Pap test. My friend has been in a monogamous relationship for over 30 years and has had at least 20 normal Pap...

Recent changes to Medicare have made it easier for older Americans to access preventive and mental health services.(G-Spot)
January 1, 2009... Recent changes to Medicare have made it easier for older Americans to access preventive and mental health services. By overriding President Bush's veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, Congress ensured that...

President-elect Obama promised during his campaign to undo restrictions on U.S. family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention strategies.(G-Spot)
January 1, 2009... President-elect Obama promised during his campaign to undo restrictions on U.S. family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention strategies that forced many good organizations to either give up U.S. funding or change programs that worked to bring them...

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent warning letters rebuking Bayer HealthCare about two of the company's over-the-counter aspirin products: Bayer Women's Low Dose Aspirin + Calcium (Bayer Women's) and Bayer Aspirin with Heart Advantage (Bayer Heart Advantage.(G-Spot)
January 1, 2009... The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent warning letters rebuking Bayer HealthCare about two of the company's over-the-counter aspirin products: Bayer Women's Low Dose Aspirin + Calcium (Bayer Women's) and Bayer Aspirin with Heart Advantage...

In November, California voters passed Proposition 8, which repealed the rights of gay and lesbian couples to wed in the State.(Sore Spot)
January 1, 2009... In November, California voters passed Proposition 8, which repealed the rights of gay and lesbian couples to wed in the State. The Proposition 8 initiative successfully reversed the State Supreme Court ruling striking down the California ban on...

Also in November, Arkansan voters approved a ban prohibiting unmarried couples from adopting.(Sore Spot)(Brief article)
January 1, 2009... Also in November, Arkansan voters approved a ban prohibiting unmarried couples from adopting. It is now illegal for any individuals cohabiting outside of a valid marriage to either adopt or provide foster care to minors in the State. While it...

Tampax recently upped the ante in making women and young girls feel ashamed of their bodies with their new advertising scheme, 'Outsmart Mother Nature' (on-line at http://www.beinggirl.com/en US/funzone mother nature.jsp).(Sore Spot)
January 1, 2009... Tampax recently upped the ante in making women and young girls feel ashamed of their bodies with their new advertising scheme, 'Outsmart Mother Nature' (on-line at http://www.beinggirl.com/en US/funzone mother nature.jsp). The campaign...