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Journal of Women's Health (2002) Feb 2021Since the World Health Organization launched its commission on the social determinants of health (SDOH) over a decade ago, a large body of research has proven that...
Since the World Health Organization launched its commission on the social determinants of health (SDOH) over a decade ago, a large body of research has proven that social determinants-defined as the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age-are significant drivers of disease risk and susceptibility within clinical care and public health systems. Unfortunately, the term has lost meaning within systems of care because of misuse and lack of context. As many disparate health outcomes remain, including higher risk of maternal mortality among Black women, a deeper understanding of the SDOH-and what forces underlie their distribution-is needed. In this article, we will expand our review of social determinants of maternal health to include the terms "structural determinants of health" and "root causes of inequities" as we assess the literature on this topic. We hypothesize that the addition of structural determinants and root causes will identify racism as a cause of inequities in maternal health outcomes, as many of the social and political structures and policies in the United States were born out of racism, classism, and gender oppression. We will conclude with proposed practice and policy solutions to end inequities in maternal health outcomes.
Topics: Black or African American; Female; Health Policy; Health Status Disparities; Humans; Maternal Health; Racism; Social Determinants of Health; United States
PubMed: 33181043
DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2020.8882 -
Journal of Women's Health (2002) Dec 2016Health literacy is thought to impact women's reproductive health, yet no comprehensive systematic reviews have been conducted on the topic. Our objective was to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Health literacy is thought to impact women's reproductive health, yet no comprehensive systematic reviews have been conducted on the topic. Our objective was to systematically identify, investigate, and summarize research on the relationship between health literacy and women's reproductive health knowledge, behaviors, and outcomes.
METHODS
PRISMA guidelines were used to guide this review. English language, peer-reviewed research articles indexed in MEDLINE as of February 2015 were searched, along with study results posted on Clinicaltrials.gov . Articles were included if they (1) described original data-driven research conducted in developed countries, (2) were published in a peer-reviewed journal, (3) measured health literacy using a validated assessment, (4) reported on the relationship between health literacy and reproductive health outcomes, related knowledge, or behaviors, and (5) consisted of a study population that included reproductive age women.
RESULTS
A total of 34 articles met eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Data were abstracted from articles by two study authors using a standardized form. Abstracted data were then reviewed and summarized in table format. Overall, health literacy was associated with reproductive health knowledge across a spectrum of topics. It was also related to certain health behaviors, such as prenatal vitamin use and breastfeeding. Its relationship with other reproductive behaviors and outcomes remains unclear.
CONCLUSIONS
Health literacy plays an important role in reproductive knowledge and may impact behaviors and outcomes. While further research is necessary, healthcare providers should utilize health literacy best practices now to promote high-quality care for patients.
Topics: Female; Health Behavior; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Literacy; Humans; Reproductive Health; Sexual Behavior; Women's Health
PubMed: 27564780
DOI: 10.1089/jwh.2016.5810 -
Women's Health (London, England) Dec 2017Women use various feminine hygiene products, often as part of their daily cleansing routine; however, there is a paucity of published medical literature related to the... (Review)
Review
Women use various feminine hygiene products, often as part of their daily cleansing routine; however, there is a paucity of published medical literature related to the external vulva and how personal hygiene practices can affect it. This review article provides background information on the physiological changes that occur during women's lives and reviews the relevance of transient and resident microbiota as they relate to common vaginal and vulvar disorders. It also discusses the need for female intimate hygiene, common practices of feminine hygiene from a global perspective, and the potential benefits of using suitable external, topical feminine vulvar washes to minimize the risk of vulvovaginal disorders and to improve overall intimate health in women around the world. Supported by international guidelines, daily gentle cleansing of the vulva is an important aspect of feminine hygiene and overall intimate health. Women should be encouraged to choose a carefully formulated and clinically tested external wash that provides targeted antimicrobial and other health benefits without negatively impacting on the natural vulvovaginal microbiota.
Topics: Female; Feminine Hygiene Products; Health Education; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Hygiene; Self Care; Vaginal Douching; Vulvovaginitis; Women's Health
PubMed: 28934912
DOI: 10.1177/1745505717731011 -
Journal of Physiotherapy Apr 2023
Topics: Female; Humans; Women's Health
PubMed: 36948946
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphys.2023.02.013 -
The British Journal of General Practice... Dec 2022
Topics: Humans; Female; Women's Health; Decision Making
PubMed: 36424149
DOI: 10.3399/bjgp22X721193 -
Women's Health (London, England) 2022
Topics: Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Women's Health
PubMed: 35107041
DOI: 10.1177/17455065221076341 -
International Journal of Environmental... Dec 2022The complexity of women's health goes far beyond medical and surgical knowledge and the achievements of the clinical specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology, spanning not...
The complexity of women's health goes far beyond medical and surgical knowledge and the achievements of the clinical specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology, spanning not just the research dimensions of molecular biology, genetics, epidemiology, or health services but also being influenced by gender, social, and psychological relevant factors [...].
Topics: Female; Humans; Gynecology; Women's Health; Obstetrics
PubMed: 36554470
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416589 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2023Women's health matters for participation in working life. The objective of this study was to explore female physiology in a work-life context and to investigate possible... (Review)
Review
Women's health matters for participation in working life. The objective of this study was to explore female physiology in a work-life context and to investigate possible associations between women's health, sickness absence and work ability. A scoping review was conducted to develop a systematic overview of the current research and to identify knowledge gaps. The search strategy was developed through a population, concept and context (PCC) model, and three areas of women's health were identified for investigation in the context of work. A total of 5798 articles were screened by title and abstract and 274 articles were screened by full text; 130 articles were included in the review. The material included research from 19 countries; the majority of the studies used quantitative methods. The results showed an impact on the occupational setting and an association between sickness absence, work ability and all three areas of women's health, but a holistic and overall perspective on female biology in the work context is missing. This review calls for more knowledge on health and work and possible gender differences in this regard. Women's health and working life involve a complex connection that has the potential to develop new knowledge.
Topics: Female; Humans; Women's Health
PubMed: 36673834
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20021080 -
Women's Health (London, England) Aug 2015
Topics: Dysmenorrhea; Dyspareunia; Endometriosis; Female; Humans; Pelvic Pain; Women's Health
PubMed: 26343282
DOI: 10.2217/whe.15.61 -
Annual Review of Biomedical Data Science Aug 2023The intersection of women's health and data science is a field of research that has historically trailed other fields, but more recently it has gained momentum. This... (Review)
Review
The intersection of women's health and data science is a field of research that has historically trailed other fields, but more recently it has gained momentum. This growth is being driven not only by new investigators who are moving into this area but also by the significant opportunities that have emerged in new methodologies, resources, and technologies in data science. Here, we describe some of the resources and methods being used by women's health researchers today to meet challenges in biomedical data science. We also describe the opportunities and limitations of applying these approaches to advance women's health outcomes and the future of the field, with emphasis on repurposing existing methodologies for women's health.
Topics: Female; Humans; Data Science; Women's Health; Forecasting
PubMed: 37040736
DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-020722-105958