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Boost HPV vaccine uptake in university settings

While public health officials advocate for vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) in girls and boys ages 11-12, they also call for vaccination of young women ages 13-26 and males ages 13-21 who have not been previously vaccinated or did not complete the three-dose series.

It’s time for a tiered approach to counseling on emergency contraception

A recently published commentary calls for changes in patient counseling for emergency contraception (EC).¹ Why? Typical counseling does not take into account the relative effectiveness of available methods or patient characteristics, it asserts.

Family Planning Providers Urged to Focus on Campus Sexual Violence Prevention

One in five women is sexually assaulted while in college. A White House Task Force wants to strengthen federal enforcement efforts.

Statistics show more use of LARC — How can you maintain momentum?

The latest national statistics show that long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) now follow the Pill, sterilization, and condoms as the most common methods currently used by women in the United States.¹ However, with 51% of pregnancies unintended in the United States,² advocates are pushing to improve access to such effective birth control.

Cervical Cancer Screening: Are We Going in the Wrong Direction?

Synopsis:Cervical cancer screening in the United States is underpacing targets to meet the Healthy People 2020 objectives of 93% compliance with guidelines. While overall incidence rates of cervix cancer have decreased slightly, mortality has not, and underserved, underinsured, and minority/ethnic populations continue to be at highest risk for cervical cancer development.

Is Pregnancy a Risk Factor for Future Obesity?

Synopsis:In this prospective cohort study, being overweight or obese pre-pregnancy and excessive weight gain during pregnancy were associated with postpartum weight retention (> 20 pounds) at 1 year. Protective factors were breastfeeding at 6 months and moderate exercise.

Robotic-assisted Adnexal Surgery: More Complications and Higher Cost

ABSTRACT & COMMENTARY: The performance of robotically assisted adnexal surgery increased dramatically over the last decade.

Eat More Fish? Choose Fish Carefully to Avoid Mercury Toxicity

Synopsis: A recent review deals with the benefits, as well as the risks, of eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids and pinpoints which fish contain the most and least amounts of mercury.

Evidence of economic burden of disparate care for minorities continues to grow

A recent tragic case involving informed consent obtained from parents with limited English proficiency led to a successful lawsuit against the hospital. The parents were told the risks of surgery for their child included kidney damage, but there was no interpreter in the room.

Study validity may be compromised if patients drop out

Occasionally, individuals who agreed to participate in a research study withdraw for various reasons; some simply stop participating without communicating with investigators.