Health Matters for Women

October 2018

New from CDC

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women. Check out these new videos of CDC experts answering questions about breast cancer.

CDC Study Shows Breast Cancer Differences in Young Women
A recent CDC study highlights the differences in breast cancer incidence among young women. Although breast cancer is not common among younger women, rates have remained stable in recent years. Breast cancers in young women are more likely to be found at later stages and with more aggressive, larger tumors.

Partnerships to Increase Cancer Screening
CDC's Screen Out Cancer initiative increases awareness of the work by the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and Colorectal Cancer Control Program funded partners.

Understanding Barriers and Facilitators to Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening among Muslim Women in New York City: Perspectives from Key Informants
CDC funded the New York University School of Medicine, a Prevention Research Center, to conduct the MARHABA (Muslim Americans Reaching for Health and Building Alliances) study to: 1) understand the barriers and facilitators of breast and cervical cancer screening among Muslim women in New York City, and 2) use this information to develop and implement an intervention to increase knowledge and screening.

Prevent Domestic Violence
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Learn how you can strengthen intimate partner violence prevention efforts in your community.

Link Between Racism and Reproductive Health for Women
Addressing the root cause of health inequities will need more research to learn the best approaches for taking into account African American women’s experiences, according to a review article in Health Equity. CDC's Cynthia Prather, PhD and colleagues explored the association between racism and sexual and reproductive health outcomes and found that poverty, unemployment, and segregation may result in African American women being more vulnerable when it comes to sexual and reproductive health outcomes.

Flu Vaccine Reduces Risk of Flu Hospitalization among Pregnant Women
Over the course of six flu seasons, getting a flu shot reduced a pregnant woman’s risk of being hospitalized from flu by an average of 40 percent. This is the first study to show vaccination protected pregnant women against flu-associated hospitalization. Previous studies have shown that a flu shot can reduce a pregnant woman’s risk of flu illness.

Newborn Syphilis Cases More than Double in Four Years, Reaching 20-year High
Reported cases of congenital syphilis – syphilis passed from a mother to her baby during pregnancy or delivery – have more than doubled since 2013, according to the annual Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Report.

Knowledge is Power: Gynecologic Cancer Symptoms
This short animated video encourages women to learn the symptoms of gynecologic cancers. Find out more on Inside Knowledge About Gynecologic Cancer.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss
The loss of a baby during pregnancy remains a sad reality for many families. Learn what CDC is doing to understand the preventable causes of stillbirth. Read Milan's story, as told by his mother Karina, about their family's experience with the loss of a child through stillbirth.

Arthritis Indicator Data Available
CDC, in collaboration with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, and the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, updated the Chronic Disease Indicators Data Portal with new arthritis measures, making a total of 10 arthritis indicators available. Users of the portal can create their own data maps, charts, and more for arthritis and other chronic diseases.

CDC Releases New Estimates of Americans with Alzheimer's Disease
The U.S. burden of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is projected to nearly triple by 2060, according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study, published online in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, is the first to forecast Alzheimer’s disease by race and ethnicity.

Differences in Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes Among Hispanic/Latino Men and Women Receiving HIV Medical Care — United States, 2013–2014
During 2013–2014, among Hispanics/Latinos with HIV infection in care, women were significantly more likely than were men to live in poverty, have English language difficulties, and receive ancillary services. Prescription of antiretroviral therapy and sustained viral suppression did not significantly differ by sex. Providers should be cognizant of the challenges faced by Hispanics/Latinos with HIV-infection in care and provide referrals to needed ancillary services.

Influenza and Tdap Vaccination Coverage Among Pregnant Women — United States, April 2018
To assess influenza and Tdap vaccination coverage among women pregnant during the 2017–18 influenza season, CDC analyzed data from an Internet panel survey conducted during March 28–April 10, 2018.

Barriers to Receipt of Prenatal Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Among Mothers of Infants Aged <4 Months with Pertussis — California, 2016
In this report, California mothers whose infants developed pertussis in 2016 and their prenatal care providers were interviewed to ascertain possible reasons for low Tdap vaccine coverage.

Free Provider Training on Mental Health Care of Cancer Survivors
This training was created to support health care providers improve knowledge and communication about cancer survivors’ mental health care and promote recommended distress screening. During this free, web-based interactive training, providers can engage in role-play conversations with simulated cancer survivors to try different approaches to discussing mental health concerns identified through distress screening, and make appropriate referrals when indicated.

Embracing the Needs of Pregnant Women and Infants in our Nation's Battle Against The Opioid Crisis
Dr. Wanda Barfield, director of CDC's Division of Reproductive Health, authored this blog post for Health Affairs focusing on the high toll of opioid use disorder on women and infants.

Public Health Grand Rounds Presents: Safe Sleep for Infants
This facilitated discussion includes topics on trends in U.S. sleep-related infant deaths, infant safe sleep recommendations, the need for standardized SUID investigation and reporting practices, and promising interventions. The session is available at the On Demand web site. Free continuing education is available.

30 Tobacco Free Days Facebook Event
Join CDC's Office on Smoking and Health for a 30 Tobacco Free Days Facebook Event for active military members, veterans, and their loved ones November 1-30, 2018. Get tips and tools to help you quit tobacco for good!