Study examines rate of cancer overdiagnosis in Australia
A recent study published in the Medical Journal of Australia examined the “proportion of cancer diagnoses in Australia that might reasonably be attributed to overdiagnosis.”
The research team collected data between 1982 and 2012 from...
Study shows a specific nutrient could help non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
A recent study published in the Hepatology journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases investigates if indole, a microbiota metabolite may help alleviate inflammation and diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease...
New vaccine eliminated breast cancer in first human patient
A vaccine being developed in the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida is aimed at preventing new cases of ovarian and breast cancer and even recurring cases of these cancers.
The vaccine is currently being tested,...
Study reveals link between asthma and atrial fibrillation risk
A new study published in Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology examined if there is a link between “persistent” asthma and an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF).
The study hypothesized the potential association due to the...
WHO announces official name for coronavirus
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently announced the official name of the coronavirus: COVID-19.
Amongst this development, recent news has begun to suggest that although the death rate of COVID-19 is still rising, infection...
WHO reports that coronavirus transmission outside of China may increase
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that the rate of coronavirus transmission outside of China may soon be increasing.
Tedros Ghebreyesus, the director-general of WHO, describes the potential with the following: “It’s slow now,...
New York City to launch program for postpartum depression
A new program for helping families affected by postpartum depression is set to hit New York City in 2024. The program is The New Family Home Visits initiative, and will first begin in Brooklyn...
FDA launches mobile app on antiretrovirals
On Jan. 29, the FDA launched an interactive database that will offer a wealth of critical information about antiretrovirals eligible for purchase under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program.
Read more https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-launches-mobile-friendly-database-information-life-saving-hiv-drugs-part-ongoing-mission-empower.
ECRI Institute launches digital resource for coronavirus
The ECRI Institute recently launched its Coronavirus Outbreak Preparedness Center for healthcare providers and hospitals to learn how to protect themselves and their patients.
The Center includes guidance on infection prevention and control, checklists, equipment...
Top heart health apps for nurse practitioners
To acknowledge American Heart Month, Women's Healthcare would like to highlight some of the best heart health apps, including some providers can use in their practices:
Pulsepoint
Pulsepoint “enables citizen superheroes” by providing a network for users...
Study examines link between gut health and Parkinson’s
A new study examines the connection between gut health and Parkinson’s Disease (PD). The study explores the idea of gut-brain health, which has become a more relevant idea and has been studied at length...
The World Health Organization aims to reduce mortality of cervical cancer
In a recent study, the World Health Organization (WHO) describes a study which aims to eliminate cervical cancer “as a public health problem.”
This goal is planned to be achieved through the WHO’s Cervical Cancer...
New report puts coronavirus infection count over 75K in Wuhan
A new report indicates that there could be over 75,000 reports of coronavirus infections in Wuhan, China, and almost 10,000 cases across the entire nation of China.
Meanwhile, in the United States, three major airlines...
February 2020: Editor-in-chief’s message
Dear Colleagues,
I hope the start of 2020 has been a good one for everyone. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever for Women’s Healthcare: A Clinical Journal for NPs. We are...
Increase in confirmed coronavirus cases in US
Over the weekend, there was an increase in the amount of confirmed coronavirus cases to hit the United States; currently, there are five confirmed cases.
Additionally, there has been an increase in both the amount...
Study fails to show benefit of adding vitamin C to treatment of septic shock
A study recently published in the Journal of the American Medial Association aimed to examine if a treatment combination of vitamin C, hydrocortisone, and thiamine would lead to a “rapid resolution of septic shock”...
Study highlights increases in amount of out-of-pocket spending for maternity care
A recent study published in Health Affairs highlights how much the out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses for maternity care have increased over time.
The study examined the costs associated with maternity care between 2008 and 2015 (before...
First FDA-approved treatment for preventing Ebola virus
In late December 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of Merck’s Ervebo, the first FDA-approved vaccine to prevent Ebola virus disease.
The FDA Deputy Commissioner for Policy, Legislation, and International...
New findings from the American Cancer Society on reduced cancer mortality rates
Based on new findings from a 2020 American Cancer Society report, mortality rates from cancer have declined by 29% between 1991 to 2017 in the US. Additionally, between 2016 to 2017, there was a...
First coronavirus patient identified in U.S.
On the heels of today's earlier post regarding the increase mortality rates in Wuhan, China from the coronavirus, The New York Times (NYT) just released an article detailing news that the first U.S. patient with coronavirus has...
Deaths from coronavirus rise
In the past 24 hours, news coverage of the coronavirus in Wuhan, China has become more and more rampant. I first heard of the outbreak from my husband last night before bed, and was...
Linguistics in healthcare: Why it matters
MK Hedrick is a former colleague of mine who works in healthcare market research. When we worked together, we were tasked with trying to understand the ins and outs of different online disease communities...
First targeted therapy for rare mutation of gastrointestinal stromal tumors
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the approval of Blueprint Medicines Corporation’s avapritinib (Ayvakit) for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with the “platelet-derived growth factor...
The Parkinson’s Foundation launched first-ever Nurse Fellowship program
The Parkinson’s Foundation recently announced the launch of its new Parkinson’s Nurse Fellowship program in the U.S.
The fellowship award will offer support up to $95,000 “in salary, fringe benefits, malpractice insurance, research allowance, and...
Potential consideration for physicians regarding cannabis edibles
In early January 2020, the Canadian Medical Association Journal published a commentary from Drs. Jasleen Grewal and Lawrence Loh regarding potential concerns around the use of cannabis edibles.
One of the key points addressed in...
New study reveals no statistical significance between use of talcum powder and ovarian cancer
A new study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that there is no statistical significance between a women’s use of talcum powder and developing ovarian cancer.
The study examined a...
New guidelines for the management of school-based asthma
The Community Preventative Services Task Force (CPSTF) recently released new recommendations around the management of school-based asthma. These management strategies aim to reduce the amount of hospitalizations and emergency room visits from children and...
New treatment for migraine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Allergan’s ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) for treatment of acute migraine with or without visual disruptions (aura).
The FDA’s acting director of the Office of Neuroscience describes the impact...
Potential new targeted therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted accelerated approval for Sarepta Therapeutics’ golodirsen (Vyondys 53), an injection for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) with a mutation in the dystrophin gene “that...
Nursing profession ranked most honest and ethical profession for 18 times in a row
The results of the Annual Gallup poll were released on January 6, 2020 which, for the 18th consecutive year, revealed that nurses were ranked as the #1 most honest and ethical profession.
The announcement of...
Acupressure improves QOL in nurses with chronic back pain
A study published in Applied Nursing Science details how acupressure may help nurses who experience chronic back pain.
Nurses face extreme working environments on a daily basis, frequently working 12-hours shifts. These extreme conditions can...
Healthy eating may reduce risk for hearing loss
The research team collected longitudinal data from the Nurses’ Health Study II Conservation of Hearing Study by examining the changes in hearing sensitivity in the participants over a 3-year period.
The results indicated that women who...
New data reveal that women now make up the majority of medical students in...
New data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reveal that for the first time, women now make up the majority of first-year medical students in the United States.
Since 2015, the rates of...
Top apps for nurses in 2019
As smart phones become more and more integral in our lives, the Women's Healthcare team would like to share some of the top apps for nurses in 2019! These apps all have features that...
Accelerated approval for new sickle cell disease treatment
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted accelerated approval to Global Blood Therapeutics’ voxelotor (Oxbryta), a treatment for adults and pediatric patients (12 years and older) with sickle cell disease (SCD).
SCD is...
Exciting changes to the Women’s Healthcare Website
The Women's Healthcare team is excited to announce several changes to our site, all of which are intended to enhance your experience.
In addition to a new visual theme and layout, the biggest change we've made is...
Alcohol Free Holidays for Baby and Me
It’s the holiday season and for many people alcohol is a part of celebrating at family, friend, and co-worker get togethers. But what if a woman is pregnant or may be pregnant? Here are...
NPWH news & updates – December 2019
Message from the CEO
You know what they say — go out with a bang! This year’s conference in Savannah certainly hit all the high points and was a great success.
We honored Mary Rubin, PhD,...
Editor-in-Chief’s Message | December 2019
Dear Colleagues,
As we wrap up the year, I can say proudly that 2019 has been a great one for the journal and for NPWH. Our five issues of the journal this year have provided...
Low-risk pregnancies may result in fewer interventions with midwives
A new study from Obstetrics & Gynecology indicates that women with low-risk pregnancies, who delivered in a hospital setting with a midwife, may need fewer interventions and cesarean sections (C-sections) than women who saw...
2018 NPWH Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Workforce Demographics and Compensation Survey: Highlights Report
The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH), in collaboration with the National Certification Corporation (NCC), completed its Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) Workforce Demographics and Compensation Survey in fall 2018. Major...
Do alternative therapies help with menopause?
A recent study examined the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to help women as they transition into menopause. These CAM therapies included nutrition-based options, physical treatments, psychological therapies, herbal medicines, and folk...
Message from the CEO
As the New Year continues to un- fold, I am excited about all that lies ahead. First, we welcome four new board members:
Heidi Fantasia, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, Assistant Professor at the University of...
NPWH news & updates
Gay Johnson, CEO
Message from the CEO
For almost 23 years, I have had the joy of working for the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH). For the past 8 years, I have...
Editor-in-Chief’s Message | September 2019
Dear Colleagues,
In July 2019, the NPWH Board of Directors approved a position statement entitled Eliminating Preventable Maternal Deaths. Readers can find the position statement in this issue of the journal. Within this position statement,...
NPWH news & updates | June 2019
Message from the CEO
One of my favorite tasks as CEO of NPWH is to present two special awards during our annual conference. The first is the Fran Way Legacy Award, which we established in...
Editor-in-chief’s message
Dear Colleagues,
June is Men’s Health Awareness Month. Whether or not you provide direct care for men, you can play an important role in one aspect of men’s health: working to eliminate HPV-associated cancers. According...
Editor-in-chief’s message
Dear Colleagues,
I hope the start of 2019 has been a good one for everyone. We have much to anticipate in the coming year with the journal and NPWH. For now, though, I want to...
Message from the CEO
As CEO of NPWH, I am fortunate throughout the year to meet and work with so many wonderful NPs. One of my greatest joys each year is calling the winners of the Inspiration in...
Editor-in-chief ’s message
Dear Colleagues,
The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH) strives to continuously improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare for women. This improvement is accomplished by promoting innovation and excellence in continuing...
Editor-in-Chief’s message
Dear Colleagues,
As we wrap up 2018, I am pleased to report on some of our fourth-quarter accomplishments and to introduce member opportunities for 2019. First, I am happy to share that our 21st Annual...
Detecting women’s cancer with cell phones
Researchers at Louisiana State University are working to turn cell phones into medical diagnostic tools for breast cancer. In the future, this new technology could help women screen for the BRCA gene and mutations at...
Editor-in-chief’s message
Dear Colleagues,
What a wonderful time of the year—spring is in full swing, and many of us are planning for summertime events. As we move into summer, I invite you to take a few minutes...
Message from the CEO
While attending a meeting a few years ago, I started thinking about women and their health and asked myself, What are we missing? It occurred to me that there exists a population of women...
Editor-in-chief’s message: Reflection on 2017 and the year ahead
Dear Colleagues,
I hope the start of 2018 has been a good one for everyone. I imagine that all of you, like me, are looking forward to spring; it is just around the corner!
For now,...
Early antiretroviral therapy could lower risk of HPV contraction and cervical cancer
A study by British and Spanish researchers revealed that early uptake of antiretroviral therapy for women with HIV was associated with lower rates of high-risk HPV contraction and invasive cervical cancer.
Read more.
New evidence-based guideline for accurate HPV testing in head and neck cancers
The College of American Pathologists has released its newest evidence-based practice guideline, “Human Papillomavirus Testing in Head and Neck Carcinomas,” now available in Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. The guideline recommends accurate assessments of...
Guide provides overview of key sleep challenges women face
The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR®) Interdisciplinary Network on Sleep has developed a guide providing an evidence-based overview of key sleep challenges women face throughout the lifespan. The Sleep Network has also partnered with patients...
Study reveals link between hysterectomy and elevated health risks
A study by the Mayo clinic has discovered a connection between hysterectomy and elevated risks of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic conditions. The results were published in Menopause. Read more.
Message from the CEO
I am proud to announce that the 20th Annual NPWH Premier Women’s Healthcare to date! We had more than 750 attendees, and the viewed our excellent poster presentations. I received comments about the conference...
Editor-in-chief’s message
Dear Colleagues,
I have a few updates and opportunities regarding the journal that I'd like to share with you. First, there is an erratum in our September 2017 issue’s Focus on Sexual Health article, “Persistent...
Message from the CEO
Happy September and the beginning of the new fall season!
As you may remember, NPWH was founded in 1980 as a national organization for nurse practitioners (NPs) who were focused on family planning and reproductive...
Editor-in-chief’s message: Women’s Healthcare: A Clinical Journal for NPs (WH) reader survey
Dear Colleagues,
Thank you to everyone who completed our recent Women’s Healthcare: A Clinical Journal for NPs (WH) reader survey. We received 481 responses. The information you provided is very helpful to us as we...
Laparoscopic vs. Robotic Surgery for Endometriosis
Outcomes can be equally good with either procedure
Contrary to the common expectation that robotic assistance can improve the outcomes of endometriosis surgery, a study found no evidence it is either superior or inferior to...
A PCP’s Guide to Managing Patients at Genetic Risk of Breast Cancer
Hereditary syndromes that increase the risk of breast cancer are not common, but it is critical to recognize and manage them appropriately. This paper reviews the management of patients with the most common hereditary...
Scientists Seek People with Primary Progressive MS and Other Forms of MS to Study...
Investigators at the University of California in San Francisco are recruiting people with MS for an international study of the gut microbiome – the population of bacteria in the gut – in MS. They...
Vaginal Microbiome in Gynaecological Cancer
The vaginal microbiome is comprised of a plethora of bacterial species (ranging from 20 to 140), with the most abundant representation by Lactobacillus species. Next generation sequencing and other modern methods have been used to characterize...
Cervical Biopsy more efficient, less painful via new method
Physicians evaluate new device to test for cervical cancer. Comparison of Tissue Yield Using Frictional Fabric Brush Versus Sharp Curettage For Endocervical Curettage.
Women undergoing cervical biopsies might have lower odds of repeat tests with...
Message from the CEO
I am proud to say that, with this November 2015 issue, Women's Healthcare: A Clinical Journal for NPs, is turning 2 years old! When we introduced the journal 2 years ago, we provided quarterly online issues....
Editor-in-chief’s message
Dear Colleagues,
Are you looking for a challenging but rewarding opportunity to participate in enhancing advanced practice nursing (APN) knowledge? If the answer is yes, I hope you will consider becoming a peer reviewer for...
Message from the CEO
Another year has begun, and we are meeting it head on with enthusiasm and energy! This month, February, is American Heart Month. NPWH is proud to be a partner with the Million Hearts® campaign...
Message from the CEO
NPWH’s roots are firmly planted within the family planning movement. In May 1980, the Metropolitan Executive Director’s Council (MEXDICO) of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America passed a resolution calling for the formation of...
Choosing a hormone therapy that’s right for her
Most women will experience symptoms of estrogen decline as they transition through the menopausal years. These can include vasomotor symptoms (VMS) and those related to vulvovaginal atrophy, now known as genitourinary syndrome of menopause...
Editor-in-chief’s message
Dear Colleagues,
Three full years have elapsed since we celebrated the rollout of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provision requiring coverage of women's preventive services recommended by the Institute of Medicine. This provision includes a...
Editor-in-chief’s message
Dear Colleagues,
In so many ways, NPWH and its members are showing that women's health is about much more than just obstetrics and gynecology. But then, we have know this for a long time. Here...
Message from the CEO
NPWH is dedicated to the continuing education (CE) and professional development of nurse practitioners; we are always pursuing new ways to improve our educational offerings. We are excited about our latest program, the Women’s...
Editor-in-chief’s message
Dear Colleagues,
I want to take this opportunity to update you on a change in out Guidelines for Authors.
When we first established the guidelines, we decided that we would not consider student manuscripts, primarily for...
Use of osteoporosis drug with anti-inflammatory medication linked to lower risk of hip fracture
Among older patients using medium to high doses of the anti-inflammatory steroid prednisolone, treatment with the osteoporosis drug alendronate was associated with a significantly lower risk of hip fracture, according to a study published...
Freezing Ovarian Tissue May Be a Promising Fertility Treatment
By 2018, some 76,000 women in the U.S. will freeze their eggs every year to preserve their fertility and increase their odds of getting pregnant later in life. Yet egg freezing is by no...
Message from the CEO
Welcome to the dog days of summer! August is the time of year when we should try to take a little break to decompress from our jobs; rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and spirits; and...
A message from editor-in-chief
Dear Colleagues,
August is National Immunization Awareness Month. As nurse practitioners providing primary care for female adolescents and adults, we have a public health responsibility to educate our patients (and, when applicable, their parents) about...
A note from Gay Johnson, CEO of NPWH
Wow, time does fly! It has been one year since we launched our new NPWH journal, Women’s Healthcare: A Clinical Journal for NPs. Since last November, we have distributed the journal to more than...
A message from editor-in-chief Beth Kelsey, EdD, WHNP-BC
Dear Colleagues,
What a great first year for Women’s Healthcare: A Clinical Journal for NPs! Gay Johnson, our NPWH CEO, established the journal to provide you, our readers, with comprehensive, timely, useful information to empower...
Editor-in-chief ’s message
Dear Colleagues,
In January 2017, the NPWH Board of Directors approved our position statement on human sex trafficking, which is published in this issue of the journal. The work of the writing group on the...
Message from the CEO
Happy Spring! We have jumped into high gear here at NPWH!
To celebrate National Women’s Health Week, May 14-20, 2017, we participated in the Coalition for Women’s Health Equity’s planning of their first-ever Women’s Health...
Research reveals which breast implants pose the greatest risk of implant-associated cancer
Researchers at Macquarie University's MQ Health have revealed that women implanted with textured breast implants are at a significantly higher risk of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).
The research, led by Macquarie University's...
Age linked to decreased pelvic floor strength
A new study published in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery found that decreased pelvic floor strength after childbirth is 2.5 times more likely to affect women over age 25 years than younger women...
Anti-inflammatory diet could reduce risk of bone loss in women
Anti-inflammatory diets -- which tend to be high in vegetables, fruits, fish and whole grains -- could boost bone health and prevent fractures in some women, a new study suggests.
Researchers examined data from the...
Researchers provide new insights into age-related female infertility
Researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Center (CRCHUM) have discovered a possible new explanation for female infertility. Thanks to cutting-edge microscopy techniques, they observed for the first time a specific defect in...
Obesity May Make Rheumatoid Arthritis Tough to Spot, Track
Blood tests to diagnose and monitor rheumatoid arthritis may be thrown off by obesity in women, a new study suggests.
"Physicians might assume that high levels of inflammation mean that a patient has rheumatoid arthritis...
Early Use of Triple Drug Cocktail Improves Ovulation in PCOS
Early intervention with a combination of antiandrogen and insulin-sensitizing agents in adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may help improve their fertility and overall health later on, a small new study suggests.
The findings were...
More Hot Flashes May Signal CVD Risk
Frequent hot flashes in younger middle-aged women may be a sign of a higher risk of vascular disease, researchers found.
Writing in Menopause, the authors examined 272 non-smoking women ages 40 to 60 years. They...
Birth control pills may protect against some cancers for decades
When it comes to oral contraceptives, women often hear about the increased cancer risk they pose. A new study, however, finds that the using birth control pills may protect against certain cancers for at...
Test Strips For Early Cervical Cancer Detection
Purdue researchers are developing a test strip, similar to the common pregnancy test, to detect cervical cancer and eventually other types of cancer and diseases.
Cervical cancer, the fourth most common type of cancer for...
No benefit in treating mildly low thyroid function in pregnancy according to NIH study
There appears to be no benefit to treating mildly low thyroid function during pregnancy, according to a study by a National Institutes of Health research network.
Markedly low thyroid function during pregnancy has long been...
World’s first ‘menstrual cycle on a chip’ created to develop individualized treatments for women...
The world's first 'menstrual cycle on a chip' could change the future of research into gynecological problems, scientists claim.
The cube-shaped device, called Evatar, is a palm-sized recreation of the female reproductive tract.
It is made...
How dietary factors influence disease risk
Having too much sugar, salt, or fat in your diet can raise your risk for certain diseases. Healthy eating can lower your risk for heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other health conditions. A healthy...
New thinking about urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be tricky in older age. They're not always as easy to spot or treat as in youth. And the decades-long approach to treatment is changing. "We've been hasty in...
AHA Guidelines: Time to Revisit Thinking on Pregnancy in Women with Complex Congenital Heart...
In a notable twist on conventional wisdom, a new American Heart Association scientific statement on managing pregnancy in patients with complex congenital heart disease (CHD) supports the notion that most women with complex CHD can have...