Women S Health Research

Even though slightly over half of the U.S. population is female, medical research historically has neglected the health needs of women. However, over the past two decades, there have been major changes in government support of women's health research-in policies, regulations, and the organization of research efforts. To assess the impact of these changes, Congress directed the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ask the IOM to examine what has been learned from that research and how well it has been put into practice as well as communicated to both providers and women. Women's Health Research finds that women's health research has contributed to significant progress over the past 20 years in lessening the burden of disease and reducing deaths from some conditions, while other conditions have seen only moderate change or even little or no change. Gaps remain, both in research areas and in the application of results to benefit women in general and across multiple population groups. Given the many and significant roles women play in our society, maintaining support for women's health research and enhancing its impact are not only in the interest of women, they are in the interest of us all.

In the nineteenth century some scientists argued that women should not be educated because thinking would use energy needed by the uterus for reproduction. The proof? Educated women had a lower birth rate. Today's researchers can only shake their heads at such reasoning. Yet professional journals and the popular press are increasingly criticizing medical research for ignoring women's health issues. Women and Health Research examines the facts behind the public's perceptions about women participating as subjects in medical research. With the goal of increasing researchers' awareness of this important topic, the book explores issues related to maintaining justice (in its ethical sense) in clinical studies. Leading experts present general principles for the ethical conduct of research on womenâ€"principles that are especially important in the light of recent changes in federal policy on the inclusion of women in clinical research. Women and Health Research documents the historical shift from a paternalistic approach by researchers toward women and a disproportionate reliance on certain groups for research to one that emphasizes proper access for women as subjects in clinical studies in order to ensure that women receive the benefits of research. The book addresses present-day challenges to equity in four areas: Scientificâ€"Do practical aspects of scientific research work at cross-purposes to gender equity? Focusing on drug trials, the authors identify rationales for excluding people from research based on demographics. Social and Ethicalâ€"The authors offer compelling discussions on subjectivity in science, the evidence for male bias, and issues related to race and ethnicity, as well as the recruitment, retention, and protection of research participants. Legalâ€"Women and Health Research reviews federal research policies that affect the inclusion of women and evaluates the basis for researchers' fears about liability, citing court cases. Riskâ€"The authors focus on risks to reproduction and offspring in clinical drug trials, exploring how risks can be identified for study participants, who should make the assessment of risk and benefit for participation in a clinical study, and how legal implications could be addressed. This landmark study will be of immediate use to the research community, policymakers, women's health advocates, attorneys, and individuals.

Though we may no longer confine our understanding of women's health to reproduction and maternity care, women's health in Canada continues to be limited by knowledge gaps, political agendas, and fiscal restraints. This second edition of Women's Health provides a comprehensive picture of the state of women's health in Canada, tracing the emergence of the field and outlining some of the current challenges facing its advancement. The contributors--who include academics, health care professionals, and policy-makers--explore women's health in different social and geographical locations, the gendering of care work, and the ways in which research can influence health policy. Drawing on gender-based analysis and highlighting the diversity among women, this multidisciplinary collection illustrates the breadth of contemporary Canadian writing on women's health and calls for a renewed commitment to women's health advocacy. This revised edition has been thoroughly updated to reflect developments in research and recent changes in the social, political, and economic context. New chapters cover topics such as wait times, girls' health, and unpaid health care. Featuring questions for further thought and lists of recommended readings and websites, this unique text is a valuable resource for both students and researchers in the fields of women's studies, sociology, health sciences, and nursing.

It's obvious why only men develop prostate cancer and why only women get ovarian cancer. But it is not obvious why women are more likely to recover language ability after a stroke than men or why women are more apt to develop autoimmune diseases such as lupus. Sex differences in health throughout the lifespan have been documented. Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health begins to snap the pieces of the puzzle into place so that this knowledge can be used to improve health for both sexes. From behavior and cognition to metabolism and response to chemicals and infectious organisms, this book explores the health impact of sex (being male or female, according to reproductive organs and chromosomes) and gender (one's sense of self as male or female in society). Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health discusses basic biochemical differences in the cells of males and females and health variability between the sexes from conception throughout life. The book identifies key research needs and opportunities and addresses barriers to research. Exploring the Biological Contributions to Human Health will be important to health policy makers, basic, applied, and clinical researchers, educators, providers, and journalists-while being very accessible to interested lay readers.

In recent years, healthcare professionals have recognized the distinctly different healthcare needs and concerns of men and women. Women's health, in particular, has come into its own in the last two decades. In Canada, however, there has been little available in the way of a general text on women's health. This volume works toward filling that gap by providing a resource for teaching and understanding women's health in this country. To lay out the methodological and theoretical foundations for their study, editors Olena Hankivisky, Marina Morrow, and Colleen Varcoe bring together an interdisciplinary group of scholars and practitioners from economics, anthropology, sociology, nursing, political studies, women's studies, and psychology. Contributors draw on the rich history of the Canadian women's health movement, providing analysis of that history and of the emergent theory, policy, and practice. Aimed at undergraduate and graduate students as well as practitioners, the collection adopts an intersectional approach, looking closely at social factors such as gender, race, ethnicity, class, sexuality, and gender identity, and analysing how they relate both to each other and to women's health. Connections between the social, economic, and cultural contexts of women's lives and their physical, spiritual, and mental well-being are a primary focus. Providing a much needed resource for teachers, students, and practitioners of women's health in Canada, this comprehensive volume makes an important contribution to the literature.

This book provides primary care clinicians, researchers, and educators with a guide that helps facilitate comprehensive, evidenced-based healthcare of women and gender diverse populations. Many primary care training programs in the United States lack formalized training in women’s health, or if they do, the allotted time for teaching is sparse. This book addresses this learning gap with a solid framework for any program or individual interested in learning about or teaching women’s health. It can serve as a quick in-the-clinic reference between patients, or be used to steer curricular efforts in medical training programs, particularly tailored to internal medicine, family medicine, gynecology, nursing, and advanced practice provider programs. Organized to cover essential topics in women’s health and gender based care, this text is divided into eight sections: Foundations of Women's Health and Gender Based Medicine, Gynecologic Health and Disease, Breast Health and Disease, Common Medical Conditions, Chronic Pain Disorders, Mental Health and Trauma, Care of Selected Populations (care of female veterans and gender diverse patients), and Obstetric Medicine. Using the Maintenance of Certification (MOC) and American Board of Internal Medicine blueprints for examination development, authors provide evidence-based reviews with several challenge questions and annotated answers at the end of each chapter. The epidemiology, pathophysiology, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of all disease processes are detailed in each chapter. Learning objectives, summary points, certain exam techniques, clinical pearls, diagrams, and images are added to enhance reader’s engagement and understanding of the material. Written by experts in the field, Sex and Gender-Based Women's Health is designed to guide all providers, regardless of training discipline or seniority, through comprehensive outpatient women’s health and gender diverse care.