CALIFORNIA BLACK WOMEN'S HEALTH PROJECT’s Post

Our latest publication in the Journal of Hematology and Oncology delves into a crucial area often overlooked: the mental and physical health of Black women with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) who are mothers. 🩺👩🏾🔬 🔍 Title: Investigating the Relationship between Children, Depression, and Pain in Black Women with SCD 📝 Abstract: This groundbreaking study examines the impact of motherhood on the mood and pain levels of African American women with SCD. Historically, misconceptions have guided reproductive decisions for these women, but our research challenges these notions. 🔬 Key Findings: Contrary to common assumptions, our analysis found no significant differences in reported mood or pain between women with and without children. This suggests that the presence of children may not influence pain or depressive symptoms in Black women with SCD as previously thought. 📚 Further Reading: Dive into the full article for deeper insights into this important research area: https://lnkd.in/gBUPT6nd Let's continue to shed light on crucial health issues affecting marginalized communities. 💡 #SCD #HealthResearch #BlackWomenHealth #Motherhood #DepressionAwareness

To all my sisters out there: let's get curious. As women, we expect a lot of ourselves. And never before in history has society expected more of us. Oh yes, we ARE amazing. We bear life, we innovate, we inspire, we nurture. But we're not invincible. I invite you to learn about root issues affecting women's health and the science behind prevention and cures -- by The Jackson Laboratory women scientists, for women. On March 12, click the link at 2pm and listen. Listen for yourself, for your mothers, for your daughters, for your sisters. Listen if you or a woman you know has had cancer or struggled to get pregnant. And don't forget to register: https://lnkd.in/eHV5a4Rx Session I Infertility is a global health issue affecting every one in six women. While there are many factors that contribute to this disease, JAX scientists are searching for answers on two leading causes: endometriosis and cancer treatment. Session II  Genetic diversity and the immune system is crucial for women's health. This session will focus on the influence of genetic diversity on traits that impact human health and the effect of immunotherapy on the body's ability to fight disease. #womenshealth #womensupportingwomen #infertilitysupport #womeninscience

On #WorldArthritisDay we recognize Ludeman Center researcher Kristen Demoruelle MD, PhD, who has dedicated her work to women's health research, specifically on women with rheumatoid arthritis who develop the disease more often than men. As a Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health awardee, Dr. Demoruelle evaluated the effect of birth control pill use on premenopausal women with and without rheumatoid arthritis. This has the potential to lead to a novel understanding of how birth control pills can modulate the disease and cardiovascular disease risk in women. Learn more about her work here. https://lnkd.in/gg4tHvRJ

Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis as well as cause painful periods, irregular bleeding, infertility, and other symptoms. A chronic disease without a cure, endometriosis affects roughly 10% (190 million) of reproductive age women and girls globally, according to the WHO, with Black and indigenous women, alongside other people of color, disproportionately feeling the burden.   This #EndometriosisAwarenessMonth, learn more about why access to early diagnosis and effective treatment is important, and how raising awareness of and destigmatizing its distressing and life-altering symptoms can help improve the global response to endometriosis. Check out Endo Black, Inc. & Endometriosis Foundation of America for more educational resources. 

U.S. News Live Presents Tackling Childhood Obesity: A Family- and Community-Based Approach Nearly 15 million American children meet the criteria for obesity, a continuing health crisis that puts young people at risk for a host of comorbidities later in life, including Type 2 diabetes, and can be caused by diverse factors (behavioral, environmental, genetic and metabolic). Panelists will discuss data-driven strategies that incorporate specialists into a team-based clinical approach while engaging the entire family. The discussion will also touch on the adoption of more refined treatment options and tools like a weight composite measure that doesn’t just rely on a patient’s BMI status, but integrates key factors including social determinants of health, clinical and longitudinal care, and patient-reported measures. Finally, our experts will reflect on how better to enlist pediatricians and community stakeholders as allies in implementing effective obesity prevention strategies. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/em5T4CDX

Time for New Clinical Measures! Having worked in obesity care, I’ve seen firsthand how traditional metrics like BMI fall short, especially in children. While it provides some insight, BMI doesn't capture the severity of visceral fat and its impact on a child’s health. In adults, thankfully, we are moving towards more nuanced measures, so why are we still relying on outdated metrics for children? Children aren’t just smaller adults Their growing bodies require more specific measures, like waist-to-height ratio, to accurately diagnose and treat obesity. We need to treat pediatric obesity as the chronic disease it is—tailoring interventions to ensure timely care and prevent future complications. Beyond that, pediatric obesity care must be family-centered, including quality-of-life metrics and parental health education. When families are engaged, children thrive. Digital tools, like those we develop at Sidekick Health, are key to this shift. They empower healthcare professionals by delivering personalized care, real-time monitoring, and behavioral coaching that make a lasting impact on both children and their families. Preventing and treating obesity has always been my passion, and I believe tackling pediatric obesity is a fundamental step toward a healthier future

A new Paediatric Framework for obesity. Hoping any future policy, relating to children, does not focus on cost saving strategies but on screening, measuring its impact and improvement in the direct and indirect outcomes, with a long- term view. Policy must appreciate obesity as an inevitable chronic relapsing and remitting disease for so many. Not a lifestyle choice but a shared societal crisis. Children must be a priority, not an election cycle and not an after thought. NICE - National Institute for Health and Care Excellence Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Royal College of General Practitioners European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) #healthpolicy #greenspace #inschoolactivity #obesity #obesityrelateddisease #liver #cardiac #physicalfitness #socialdeterminants #publichealth #vaccinations #mentalhealth #climate #education #financialsecurity #populationhealthmanagement

It's important to raise awareness about this issue, as lupus is more prevalent, often more severe, and accompanied by worse outcomes among Black people, particularly Black women. Some key points: -- Lupus is 2-3 times more common in Black women compared to white women. -- Black people tend to develop lupus at an earlier age, often in their 20s and 30s. -- Severe symptoms like kidney inflammation (lupus nephritis), neurological complications, and heart/lung issues are more likely. -- Black people with lupus generally face higher rates of organ damage, disability, and mortality. --The risk of developing lupus nephritis (kidney inflammation) and discoid lupus (a form affecting the skin) is significantly higher. These disparities are likely due to a combination of genetic factors, socioeconomic issues, and potential barriers in accessing quality healthcare. Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and careful monitoring are crucial for improving outcomes in the Black community. Raising awareness and addressing racial disparities in healthcare are essential steps forward. Let's continue to educate ourselves and support those affected by lupus, especially in communities disproportionately impacted by this condition. #LupusAwareness #AutoimmuneDiseases #HealthDisparities #BlackHealth #clinicaltrials #clinicalresearch #healthcare #healthcarematters

How I created a pediatric subspecialty program (Colorectal, Obesity, Aerodigestive and Vascular Anomalies): https://lnkd.in/dvnhV4xM