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‘Deeply concerning’: experts react to ‘shocking’ women’s health report
The US healthcare system urgently needs to change, experts have warned after a damning report revealed that women’s health is in a “perilous” place.
A new report from the Commonwealth Fund has found that growing inequalities across the US are putting women’s health “under threat”, causing higher cancer rates and preventable deaths.
The report, which ranks states based on 32 indicators, ranging from insurance coverage to breast and cervical cancer to Covid-19, found that south-eastern states – most of which now have near-total abortion bans – ranked at the bottom on a wide range of women’s health indicators.
The “shocking” findings, experts have said, highlight that the healthcare system needs to change.
“The maternal mortality rate in the United States is the highest of any developed country in the world and the south-eastern states have some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation,” Lucienne Ide, medical doctor and founder of the clinical management platform Rimidi, told Femtech World.
“These statistics are shocking and indicate it is time to try something new – to implement technology-based tools and resources to drive improvements in access and outcomes.”
Digital health capabilities, Ide said, could pave the way for a “meaningful shift” in healthcare delivery, patient engagement and clinical outcomes.
“Virtual solutions like remote patient monitoring (RPM) and chronic disease management could significantly enhance present-day maternal and infant care across the country.”
Monica Cepak, CEO of the telehealth medical abortion service Wisp, said: “This study not only raises awareness on the barriers women face receiving proper healthcare, but it also encourages improvements in policies and practices to better support women’s health across the country.
“There is so much work to be done to improve women’s healthcare, one being access to, and integration of, telehealth services.”
The Commonwealth Fund report found that states that tended to perform worst had not expanded Medicaid and had fewer healthcare providers overall, particularly OB/GYNs.
Poor performing states also tended to miss opportunities to identify and treat women at risk. They screened fewer women for postpartum depression, had higher rates of syphilis and higher rates of cancer.
Rachel Goldberg, perinatal mental health therapist and founder of Rachel Goldberg Therapy, said this is not surprising.
“Disparities in maternal mental healthcare have been an ongoing issue. The report emphasises that mental health is the number one risk factor, yet for many, it is neither accessible nor easy to navigate,” she told Femtech World.
“Even in California, where insurance benefits are more inclusive, there is a shortage of qualified mental health providers in the maternal health space due to fee structures and the complexities of working with health insurance.”
Goldberg believes women living in states with poor health outcomes and limited access to care need to learn to advocate for themselves.
“Unfortunately, this involves researching available resources; but also trusting their instincts,” she explained. “If a provider does not feel right, women should speak up and request a reassignment or advocate for a single-case agreement with a provider they feel comfortable with.
“They should also look into community health centres, telemedicine options and support groups. Traveling to neighbouring states for care might also be a consideration if feasible and safe.”
Dr Shahin Ghadir, board certified reproductive endocrinologist and fertility expert at HRC Fertility Beverly Hills, said it is important that women who live in poor performing states do their research and are extra careful on the quality of the physician and the hospital they choose.
“Being proactive about women’s healthcare is one of the most important aspects of receiving good care in our country, and even if a patient is not in a state that has the utmost highest standards of care, there are still good physicians everywhere.”
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The Femtech World Awards are set to recognise the people, organisations and innovations revolutionising how we treat and diagnose cancer in women.
Now in its third year, the Femtech World Awards celebrates the very best of female-led and focused health innovation, spanning menopause, fertility, cardiovascular disease and beyond.
The Women’s Cancer Innovation award will honour a groundbreaking innovation dedicated to the prevention, early detection treatment or ongoing care of cancers that uniquely or disproportionately affect women.
The winner will have demonstrated exceptional progress in advancing research, technology or patient-centred solutions that improve outcomes and quality of life.
This award celebrates those driving transformative change in the fight against women’s cancers.
The Women’s Cancer Innovation Award is sponsored by Endomag.
Endomag believes everyone deserves a better standard of cancer care – that’s why they design their cancer localisation technologies with both the clinician and patient in mind.
Many leading hospitals across the world use their unique solutions to help breast cancer patients avoid surgery when it isn’t needed, and experience better outcomes when it is.
Their Magseed marker is a tiny, non-radioactive seed, ideal for accurately marking tumours and lymph nodes, while the Magtrace lymphatic tracer is the world’s first, long-lasting, non-radioactive dual tracer for lymphatic mapping.
Paired with the Sentimag localisation platform, they have now been widely proven across over 200 clinical studies, featuring more than 20,000 patients.
This award is one of 10 featuring at the event, which last year attracted entries from across the UK, Europe and North America.
Award winners will receive a trophy and the opportunity to be interviewed by Femtech World.
Both winners and shortlisted entries will receive extensive coverage across all Femtech World platforms.
Find out more and enter for free here.
Two designer perfumes have been recalled over a banned chemical linked to fertility risk and harm to unborn children.
Hello by Lionel Richie and Hot by United Colours of Benetton, both sold by discount chain Savers Health and Beauty, have been recalled in a notice from the Office for Product Safety and Standards.
The products contain butylphenyl methylpropional (BMHCA), also known as lilial, a synthetic floral fragrance classified as toxic to reproductive health.
The chemical, which mimics a lily of the valley scent, was used in many cosmetics and household products until March 2022, when it was banned in the UK and EU.
According to the notice, BMHCA can harm the reproductive system and the health of unborn children, and may cause skin sensitisation.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards said: “Affected products have been recalled by Savers Health and Beauty. Customers should return any of the above products purchased at a Savers store to the place of purchase, where they will be issued a full refund.
“Only products purchased in Savers Health and Beauty stores with the barcodes listed are affected by this recall. If you are unsure if you have one of the above products, please contact Savers Health and Beauty on help@savers.co.uk.”
The initial warning about the items was issued last month, with products recalled from customers on Wednesday.
Savers said in a statement that it would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Affected products include Hello by Lionel Richie Femme and Homme in 30ml, 50ml and 100ml sizes, and Benetton Hot 100ml EDT.
Pregnant women exposed to ‘forever chemicals’ could be at greater risk of developing gestational diabetes, a recent study suggests.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are toxic chemicals that do not break down in the body, leaching from non-stick cookware, waterproof textiles and takeaway containers into food or via skin contact and building up in vital organs.
Researchers analysed 79 animal and human studies evaluating the relationship between PFAS, diabetes and pregnancy.
They found that higher exposure led to consistently higher insulin resistance, where the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, and higher rates of gestational diabetes.
The research was conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
Dr Sandra India-Aldana, co-first study author, said: “This is the most comprehensive synthesis of evidence to date examining how PFAS exposure relates not only to diabetes risk, but also to the underlying clinical markers that precede disease.
“Our findings suggest that pregnancy may be a particularly sensitive window during which PFAS exposure may increase risk for gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes has been rising for the past decade.
In babies, it may lead to high birth weight, preterm labour and increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.
Mothers may also face higher risk of high blood pressure and developing diabetes in future.
Dr Xin Yu, co-first study author, said: “Gestational diabetes has lasting implications for both mother and child.
“This research supports the growing recognition that environmental exposures like PFAS should be part of conversations around preventive care and risk reduction during pregnancy.”
Dr Damaskini Valvi, senior study author, said: “These results are alarming as almost everyone is exposed to PFAS, and gestational diabetes can have severe long-term complications for mothers and their children.
“We need larger longitudinal studies with well-characterised type 1 and type 2 diabetes cases to fully characterise PFAS impacts on diabetes risk and its long-term complications for affected individuals and their families.
“These results underscore the importance of considering PFAS and other hazardous environmental chemical exposures as part of comprehensive clinical risk assessment and preventive care, particularly during pregnancy.”
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