Women's Health

Research Findings

Research Activities, May 2004:
Less than half of older women who have suffered fractures due to osteoporosis are treated properly to prevent further fractures
Researchers find no adverse perinatal outcomes associated with respiratory hospitalizations of pregnant women during flu season

Research Activities, April 2004:
Hysterectomy results in better outcomes than medicine for patients with abnormal uterine bleeding
Cervical cancer screening every 3 years after three or more normal Pap tests is a safe option
Step-by-step procedures may help health care providers treat victims of intimate partner violence
Clinicians and patients responded quickly to recent evidence of harms associated with hormone therapy
Health plan use of gatekeepers may improve use of recommended cancer screening
Incidence of hepatitis C virus is low among HIV-infected women and usually is linked to drug use

Research Activities, March 2004:
Renal disease progression is not slower among women than men, and it may even be faster
Women with estrogen-positive breast tumors should not increase their intake of soy or other phytoestrogens
Screening relatively healthy elderly women for breast cancer every 2 years is cost effective

Research Activities, February 2004:
Rural studies examine satisfaction with and cost-effectiveness of telecolposcopy for women with abnormal Pap smears
Studies demonstrate high rates of assault and unmet health care needs among homeless women
Use of tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer should be weighed against an individual woman's potential to benefits and risks
North American screening programs identify more mammograms as abnormal but do not detect more breast cancers than programs in other countries

Research Activities, January 2004:
Few postmenopausal women who have suffered a fracture receive drug treatment to prevent further fractures
Confounding factors may be the reason that randonmized controlled trials of HRT conflict with observational studies
Cervical cancer rates among younger women decreased over the past 25 years
Women and men with cardiovascular disease may not receive the same level of treatment for high cholesterol
Elderly, low-income black women need more education about the importance of breast cancer screening
Recent HCSUS studies focus on HIV infection in older individuals and women, use of complementary and alternative therapies, and insurance status

Research Activities, December 2003:
More aggressive treatment recommendations for women with diabetes may be needed to reduce their risk of heart disease-related death
Surgical complications and clinical outcomes are similar for total and supracervical hysterectomy
Black women with suspected breast cancer are more likely than white women to have delayed or incomplete followup
Radiologists' access to women's previous mammograms reduces by at least half the incidence of false-positive mammogram readings
Low-risk deliveries in a collaborative care birth center have outcomes similar to hospital deliveries by obstetricians
Home visits by a nurse-health advocate team can improve the outcomes of low-income, minority mothers and their infants
Racial disparities found in receipt of osteoporosis screening and management

Research Activities, October 2003:
Age, fertility status, and other factors influence satisfaction with progestin treatment for abnormal uterine bleeding
A higher rate of cesarean delivery does not necessarily correspond with better perinatal outcomes
Use of tocolytic therapy to stop uterine contractions can prolong pregnancy and prevent preterm birth
Research shows that a doctor's advice to breastfeed, early return to work, and other factors influence continued breastfeeding
Benefits of adding radiation therapy to tamoxifen after breast conserving surgery diminish with increasing age
Personalized form letters may improve breast and cervical cancer screening among low-income and minority women
South Asian women living in the United States should be targeted to receive Pap smears for cervical cancer screening

Research Activities, September 2003:
Delaying the urge to push during second-stage labor offers no benefit for women who receive low-dose epidural analgesia

Research Activities, August 2003:
Later admission in labor and collaborative care increase spontaneous vaginal delivery in low-risk women
Studies examine black-white differences in low birthweight, uterine surgery outcomes, and organ donations
AHRQ-supported Task Force issues new recommendations on high blood pressure screening and promotion of breastfeeding

Research Activities, July 2003:
Researchers examine cost-effectiveness and quality of life following surgery for early breast cancer
More assertive outreach programs may be needed to link homeless women to case managers and a broader range of services
Physicians have an important role in identifying victims of domestic violence and referring them for appropriate services

Research Activities, May 2003:
Reading a large volume of mammograms is only one factor influencing radiologists' accuracy
With outpatient breastfeeding support and a home visitor program, early postpartum discharge doesn't reduce breastfeeding
First trimester ultrasound identifies more cases of Down syndrome than second trimester maternal serum screening and is more cost effective

Research Activities, March 2003:
First trimester ultrasound identifies more cases of Down syndrome than amniocentesis and is more cost effective
Removal of axillary lymph nodes substantially reduces quality of life for many elderly women with localized breast cancer
Women are more likely than men to experience long-term posttraumatic stress disorder after major trauma

Research Activities, February 2003:
Task Force issues recommendations on cervical cancer screening and screening for diabetes in adults and pregnant women
One-fifth of older women hospitalized for hip fracture become incontinent while in the hospital
New team approach dramatically boosts chlamydia screening of teenage girls

Research Activities, January 2003:
Older women who have breast cancer recover faster and have a more positive outlook when they are offered treatment choices
Testing for maternal group B streptococci during labor is more cost effective than current screening strategies
Obstetricians don't always follow guidelines for preventing group B streptococcal infection neonates

Research Activities, December 2002:
Endometrial ablation may not prevent hysterectomy for many women with benign uterine conditions
Researchers examine age and race differences in treatment of breast cancer
Prenatal use of erythromycin does not appear to increase the risk of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Research Activities, November 2002:
Preventive Services Task Force issues caution on combined hormone therapy

Research Activities, October 2002:
Preventive Services Task Force urges routine osteoporosis screening for women 65 and older
Three factors should be considered when deciding about the use of genetic testing
Safety net clinics for homeless women struggle to provide comprehensive care despite scarce resources
Better doctor-patient communication could enhance the quality of care for older women with breast cancer
One-fifth of deaths among women infected with HIV are due to causes other than AIDS

Research Activities, September 2002:
Certain patients are less likely than others to undergo needed angiography after heart attack

Research Activities, August 2002:
Degree of disability at surgery may explain differences between men and women in outcomes of hip replacement surgery
Providing homeless women with health insurance and a regular source of care may greatly improve their access to care
Women with stressful life events are more likely to be physically abused during pregnancy, usually by their partners

Research Activities, July 2002:
Task Force urges clinicians and patients to discuss pros and cons of taking prescription medicines to reduce breast cancer risk
Improvement in urinary incontinence seen after hysterectomy for noncancerous conditions
Differences between men and women in heart attack treatments and outcomes are not explained by insurance status
Assessment tool helps counselors work more effectively with victims of domestic violence
HIV diagnosis may increase opportunities for medical interactions and interventions, including mammography

Research Activities, June 2002:
Hysterectomy does not appear to diminish long-term life satisfaction among older women
Long-term outcomes are comparable for inpatient and outpatient treatment of women with pelvic inflammatory disease
Lower birthweight may be associated with patient responses to certain antihypertensive medications
Iron deficiency in utero is associated with diminished performance in certain mental and psychomotor tests

Research Activities, May 2002:
Study links nonadherence to HIV treatment regimens and women's risky sexual behavior
Drug treatment and intensive case management programs are needed to reduce HIV risk among homeless women
Race and sex may play a role in a person's ability to give up smoking
Mammography increases early detection of breast cancer and the likelihood of breast conserving surgery among older women
Telecolposcopy may help reduce barriers to diagnosis of cervical cancer among rural women
Findings from hysterectomy study discount the link between estrogen deficiency and cognitive decline in older women
Timing of prenatal coverage affects initiation of prenatal care among low-income pregnant women
In vitro fertilization doubles the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy for women expecting more than one child

Research Activities, April 2002:
Mode of delivery may be related to bleeding problems among very low birthweight newborns
U.S. hysterectomy rates stayed constant in the 1990s and continued to be much higher than in most European countries
Medicare payment is related to use of breast-conserving surgery and mastectomy among elderly women with breast cancer
Disparities between men and women in minor mental health problems may reflect differences in social roles
Researchers examine treatment issues for HIV-infected women
HCSUS studies examine Pap screening followup for HIV-positive women and lifestyle changes following HIV diagnosis

Research Activities, March 2002:
Major successes in prenatal care have been related more to preserving maternal health than improving fetal outcomes

Research Activities, February 2002:
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force revises its earlier recommendations on mammography
Coordination mechanisms help hospitals improve delivery of multidisciplinary care for early-stage breast cancer patients
Researchers examine risk factors for premature separation of the placenta among U.S. black women
Over half of poor and unmarried Medicaid-insured women do not take steps to prevent unintended pregnancy

Research Activities, January 2002:
First-time mothers who have unassisted deliveries fare better than those who have c-sections or assisted vaginal deliveries
HPV testing should be added to cervical cancer screening of HIV-positive women

Research Activities, December 2001:
Violence affects many teenage girls in the United States, most of whom are attacked at home or in the home of a friend
Elderly women with the fewest resources to negotiate the health care system have the highest burden of illness
Women are far more likely than men to have their depression diagnosed by their primary care doctors

Research Activities, November 2001:
Low education and income are related to poor health, chronic illness, and depression among Medicare-insured older women
Disabled women who have difficulty walking are less likely than other women to receive Pap smears and mammograms
PEACH study examines the causes of upper genital tract infection in women with pelvic inflammatory disease

Research Activities, October 2001:
Outpatient mastectomies have increased over the last decade
Hormone replacement therapy does not appear to increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence, but more studies are needed
Chronic hypertension is associated with an 11-fold increase in the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy
Maternal fever during labor is a strong predictor of infection-related neonatal and infant death

Research Activities, September 2001:
Doctors should consider antibiotic treatment for women with tenderness suggesting pelvic inflammatory disease
Nonprofit women's health centers better serve poor and vulnerable women than for-profit centers
Homeless women frequently have gynecological problems

Research Activities, July 2001:
Risk of uterine rupture during labor is higher for women with a prior cesarean delivery

Research Activities, June 2001:
Women prefer to see female doctors when they visit the ER, but men have no preference

Research Activities, May 2001:
Physician preference plays a role in breast cancer treatment for women age 65 and older
Women usually are older than men when they have a heart attack, which may account in part for their higher death rate
Hormone replacement therapy may improve mental function for some postmenopausal women
More women die following c-section than vaginal birth, probably due more to preexisting conditions than the surgery itself
Women and Asians are less likely than other patients with end-stage renal disease to be recommended for kidney transplants
Barriers to enrollment in Medi-Cal lead to inadequate prenatal care for some disadvantaged women in California
Designating ob-gyns as primary care physicians could affect how medical services are provided to elderly women

Research Activities, April 2001:
Cervical smears in previously screened postmenopausal women are poor predictors of cervical neoplasia
Poor black women who lose a mother or sister during pregnancy are more likely to have preterm births
Severity of homelessness predicts low birthweight and preterm births irrespective of risk factors and prenatal care

Research Activities, March 2001:
Most women undergoing hysterectomy for benign conditions are satisfied with the outcome and their recovery
Community-based programs offer a way to reach disadvantaged women and encourage them to have mammograms
Increasing the quality and quantity of prenatal care may not reduce low birthweight among low-income black women

Research Activities, February 2001:
Improvements are needed in screening of sexually active young women for chlamydia infection
Researchers discuss evidence on managing mild chronic hypertension during pregnancy

Research Activities, January 2001:
Breast cancer treatment in older women often depends on the woman's age and treatment preferences
Most women would rather risk a procedure-related miscarriage than have a baby with Down syndrome
Women are less likely than men to receive antiretroviral drug therapies for HIV/AIDS
Vitamin A deficiency may contribute to the development of cervical cancer lesions in HIV-infected women

Research Activities, December 2000:
Pregnant women are as likely to deny tobacco use as they are to deny illegal drug use
Second-trimester chlamydia infection is associated with an increased risk of subsequent preterm birth
Mothers of low-birthweight babies perceive poorer infant health and greater caregiver burden than mothers of normal weight babies

Research Activities, November 2000:
Current research and quality improvement efforts show potential for improving quality and outcomes for older women

Research Activities, October 2000:
Studies point the way to cholesterol screening recommendations for women

Research Activities, September 2000:
Negative attitudes about mammography lead some low-income black women to skip their appointments to have the procedure
Adjustment for breast cancer survivors often involves turning their tragedy into positive meaning

Research Activities, August 2000:
Age, race, income, and other factors contribute to disparities in screening for breast and cervical cancer
After age 80, women are less likely to receive full range of treatments for breast cancer
Women who have c-sections or assisted vaginal deliveries are at increased risk for rehospitalization
Lack of insurance may not be the only barrier to timely prenatal care for low-income women

Research Activities, July 2000:
Apgar scores found to be useful in assessing premature newborns
Screening for cervical cancer every 3 to 5 years with the conventional Pap test remains effective
Sexual assault is a major problem for homeless women, which often correlates with physical and mental health problems

Research Activities, June 2000:
Researchers examine ways to more accurately diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease
Waiting longer between pregnancies decreases the risk of premature birth

Research Activities, May 2000:
Hysterectomy is often recommended for indications judged inappropriate by established criteria
Women use more health care services than men, and their health care costs more

Research Activities, April 2000:
New study finds that each year thousands of c-sections are performed too early in labor
Hysterectomy substantially improves symptoms, physical functioning, and quality of life for some women
Zinc blood levels during pregnancy don't seem to affect pregnancy complications or neonatal outcomes

Research Activities, February 2000:
Vaginal delivery after prior c-section remains relatively safe
White women are more likely than minority women to be prescribed hormone replacement therapy
For many women, sexual functioning improves after hysterectomy
More targeted efforts are needed to improve women's health care
CD4 cell count is a strong predictor of short-term survival among HIV-infected women

Research Activities, November 1999:
Blood coagulation testing of pregnant women with hypertension can be reduced
Risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy are not the only factors that women consider

Research Activities, October 1999:
Private nonteaching hospitals have higher cesarean delivery rates than other hospitals for Medicaid-insured women
Programs to improve timely prenatal care should not focus solely on uninsured and Medicaid-insured women

Research Activities, September 1999:
Breast and cervical cancer screening varies by age among black and Hispanic women
Women's assessments of maternity care can guide other women seeking such care
"Drive-through deliveries" were more than 18 times as likely in 1994 as in 1990, regardless of payer

Research Activities, July/August 1999:
Women who have angina and report more physical symptoms are at increased risk for coronary artery disease

Research Activities, June 1999:
Use of hormone replacement therapy may be more strongly linked to sociodemographic than clinical factors

Research Activities, April 1999:
Changes in health care delivery and financing are needed to meet the unique needs of older women with chronic conditions
Less than a minute of physician compassion can reduce anxiety in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer
Three out of four women physicians give high marks for the quality of health care they receive
Use of age as a threshold for recommending prenatal diagnosis is questioned
Cocaine and tobacco use during early pregnancy substantially increases the risk of miscarriage
Researchers examine correlation between length of stay following childbirth and women's satisfaction with care
Study confirms recommendations for frequency of cervical cancer screening in HIV-infected women

Research Activities, December 1998:
Women from diverse backgrounds generally agree on the quality of obstetric care they receive in the hospital
Many low-income women are satisfied with Norplant contraception
Newborn screening for cystic fibrosis has little effect on future reproductive decisions of parents with a CF child

Research Activities, October 1998:
High blood pressure is a risk factor for preterm birth among pregnant black women
Certain factors improve satisfaction with prenatal care for low-income women

Research Activities, August 1998:
Women with chronic disease are less likely than other women to undergo screening for breast and cervical cancer

Research Activities, June 1998:
Maternal leptin concentration during pregnancy is not an accurate predictor of infant birthweight
Physicians can identify women with bothersome incontinence by asking them a few simple questions
Risk of poor birth outcomes is reduced for low-income pregnant women who receive adequate support services

Research Activities, May 1998:
Nonclinical factors affect use of maternal corticosteroids to reduce respiratory complications in premature infants
HMO coverage may alter treatment choices and hospital stays for women with breast cancer

Research Activities, January 1998:
Use of hormone replacement therapy among women without menopausal symptoms has doubled, but still remains low

Research Activities, December 1997:
Practice-based research project documents effects of low education on women's mammography decisions

Research Activities, November 1997:
More prevalent severe obesity may explain black/white difference in stage at diagnosis of breast cancer

Research Activities, October 1997:
More women than men die in the hospital after a heart attack, but experts disagree about the reasons for this disparity
Stressful life events linked with use of drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes by poor women during pregnancy

Research Activities, August 1997:
Prophylactic mastectomy may provide substantial gains in life expectancy for women with cancer-disposing genes
Removing both ovaries during hysterectomy may increase a woman's risk of heart disease despite estrogen replacement therapy
Certified nurse-midwives use fewer invasive techniques during labor and delivery for low-risk women than physicians
Duration of maternity leave significantly affects maternal health
Sexually transmitted diseases can directly affect pregnancy outcome
Physicians are less likely to suspect TB in high-risk women than men
HMO's comparative advantage in providing preventive services to women may be eroding

Research Activities, July 1997:
Ischemic Heart Disease PORT finds benefits of hormone replacement therapy far outweigh risks for most women and reaffirms link between angioplasty volume and outcomes
Private practices can provide enhanced prenatal services for poor women as effectively as public clinics

Research Activities, May 1997:
Women are treated less aggressively than men after a heart attack and are more likely to die in the hospital
Hispanic women are less likely than white or black women to be underweight before pregnancy or to deliver preterm

Research Activities, April 1997:
Double-reading of mammograms does not necessarily improve diagnostic accuracy
Minority research center publishes reports on prenatal care and reproductive health

Research Activities, March 1997:
Women receive more health care services if they have an internist as their primary care doctor
Geographic region and type of health plan influence length of hospital stay for childbirth

Research Activities, February 1997:
Older women are less likely to receive chemotherapy and radiation treatment after breast cancer surgery
Equalizing payments for cesarean and vaginal deliveries has little effect on cesarean rates
Time of day and hospital factors affect rate of cesarean deliveries for fetal distress

Research Activities, January 1997:
Rural physicians use fewer health resources than urban doctors to care for low-risk obstetric patients
Delays in beginning prenatal care are unrelated to the number of available obstetricians
Minority women with abnormal screening mammograms have later followup tests than white women

Research Activities, November 1996:
Uterine fibroids occur more often among black women than white women undergoing hysterectomy
PORT researchers link bacterial infection with many preterm births
Women who have regular checkups appear to live longer
Women and the elderly are less likely to receive life-saving drugs for heart attacks

Research Activities, June 1996:
Low Birthweight PORT links high maternal ferritin levels during the second trimester with preterm birth
Hypertension among pregnant black women contributes to poor birth outcomes

Research Activities, April 1996:
Radiologists sometimes vary widely in their interpretation of the same mammograms
Choice of treatment for early-stage breast cancer often depends on hospital characteristics
Treatment intensity varies by age in elderly women with breast cancer even after controlling for other medical problems

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