The Caribbean Coalition on Women, Girls and AIDS on Thursday pledged to address all aspects of female vulnerability to HIV -- including violence against women -- and cited growing concerns that current HIV/AIDS strategies are not adequately addressing their needs, Inter Press Service reports. The coalition in a statement said that the "role of sexual violence in HIV transmission is becoming clearer." The statement added, "Women now comprise 51% of adults living with HIV. ... Current AIDS responses have often ignored the social, cultural and economic factors that place women at risk, and those HIV programs that seek to redress the imbalance and inequity have been inconsistent and haphazard."
CCWA will focus on programs to address commercial sex work, data collection, and capacity building on gender and HIV/AIDS with the aim of mainstreaming gender issues in regional and national HIV/AIDS policies. Its members include Trinidadian first lady Jean Ramjohn-Richards; Dame Pearlette Louisy, the governor-general of St. Lucia; and Dame Billie Miller, a former foreign minister from Barbados.
According to Inter Press Service, official data show that one in six women between ages 15 and 24 became sexually active prior to age 15 in countries like Antigua, Barbuda, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Roberta Clarke, regional program director at UNIFEM's Caribbean office, said a 2000 Pan American Health Organization survey found that almost 50% of adolescent girls' first sexual experience was forced or coerced. The study also noted that violence, or just the threat of violence, increases a woman's vulnerability to HIV by making it difficult or impossible to negotiate condom use and safer sex. Women's relationship expectations also can be affected and can prevent them from accessing HIV prevention, care and treatment services, according to the survey.
Clarke said that despite gains in gender equality, "inequalities persist, and beliefs and practices deeply rooted in our cultures perpetuate the vulnerability of women and girls to certain harm." Male socializing -- whether in homes, churches, schools or through popular culture -- continues to emphasize aggression, control and power as central aspects of masculinity, Clarke said, adding that masculinity is "still associated with risk taking, with power and control, with early sexual activity and with multiple partnerships." She said that for women, "socio-economic dependency, whether expected or a consequence of circumstances, interferes or impedes the ability to demand safe sexual practice." Clarke said that it is known that the Caribbean is "an unsafe space for women," and that the "ever-present threat of physical harm restricts our choices and terrorizes our minds."
Dawn Foderingham, the regional partnership's adviser for UNAIDS, said the Caribbean needs to take "collective action in addressing violence against women." According to Clarke, UNIFEM has two regional priorities -- ending violence against women and stopping or reversing the spread of HIV. She said support for CCWA -- which has support from UNAIDS' regional office, the Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action, and the University of the West Indies' Center for Gender Development Studies -- brings the two priorities together in a coherent way (Richards, Inter Press Service, 3/12).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2009 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
вторник, 27 марта 2012 г.
вторник, 20 марта 2012 г.
Magee-Womens Hospital Of Upmc Receives Achievement Award From Hospital Association Of Pennsylvania
Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center has been honored with an award for operational excellence by the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania (HAP). The honor recognizes the hospital's Breast Cancer Diagnostic Process Improvement, a successful multidisciplinary effort to significantly reduce wait times between suspicious findings in screening or diagnostic mammography, biopsy and diagnosis.
"The time between abnormal mammogram and breast biopsy is extremely stressful for patients, regardless of the ultimate diagnosis," said Judy Herstine, administrator of women's cancer services at Magee. "But as a result of this new service, women whose mammography findings are suspicious often can get their full diagnostic evaluation completed on the same day, including a breast biopsy."
Nationally, the average wait time between an abnormal screening result and follow-up diagnostic mammogram is 20 days. Likewise, the national average wait time for scheduling a biopsy procedure once diagnostic mammogram indicates it is necessary is 19 days. Magee has been able to dramatically shorten wait times between abnormal screening and diagnostic follow-up mammogram, and provide same-day biopsy scheduling in many cases after identification of a suspicious mass. This accomplishment is the result of diligent work by a task force made up of radiologists, surgeons, administrators, technologists, nursing staff and patients to reorganize and streamline hospital procedures.
"The quality of the patient experience is extremely important to us," said hospital President Leslie C. Davis. "Receiving this award for operational excellence from HAP is yet another indication of why Magee-Womens Hospital has long been known as the region's premier health care resource for women."
Each year, HAP honors the innovation, creativity and commitment to patient care of Pennsylvania's hospitals and health systems through the HAP Achievement Awards, which showcase and share member hospital and health system innovations and best practices in a variety of areas. Sixteen winners were selected from 100 entries in 2008. Magee's award will be conferred at a meeting of the hospital's Board of Directors on July 14.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
"The time between abnormal mammogram and breast biopsy is extremely stressful for patients, regardless of the ultimate diagnosis," said Judy Herstine, administrator of women's cancer services at Magee. "But as a result of this new service, women whose mammography findings are suspicious often can get their full diagnostic evaluation completed on the same day, including a breast biopsy."
Nationally, the average wait time between an abnormal screening result and follow-up diagnostic mammogram is 20 days. Likewise, the national average wait time for scheduling a biopsy procedure once diagnostic mammogram indicates it is necessary is 19 days. Magee has been able to dramatically shorten wait times between abnormal screening and diagnostic follow-up mammogram, and provide same-day biopsy scheduling in many cases after identification of a suspicious mass. This accomplishment is the result of diligent work by a task force made up of radiologists, surgeons, administrators, technologists, nursing staff and patients to reorganize and streamline hospital procedures.
"The quality of the patient experience is extremely important to us," said hospital President Leslie C. Davis. "Receiving this award for operational excellence from HAP is yet another indication of why Magee-Womens Hospital has long been known as the region's premier health care resource for women."
Each year, HAP honors the innovation, creativity and commitment to patient care of Pennsylvania's hospitals and health systems through the HAP Achievement Awards, which showcase and share member hospital and health system innovations and best practices in a variety of areas. Sixteen winners were selected from 100 entries in 2008. Magee's award will be conferred at a meeting of the hospital's Board of Directors on July 14.
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
вторник, 13 марта 2012 г.
Cedars-Sinai Endocrine Researchers Discuss Gene That May Be Linked To Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Researchers in endocrinology and obstetrics and gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center made several presentations at the annual meetings of two medical organizations - the Androgen Excess Society and the Endocrine Society.
One key topic was a gene that appears to play a role in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disorder among reproductive-age women.
Women with PCOS have many small cysts on the periphery of the ovaries and suffer from symptoms that include menstrual irregularities, excess weight, skin problems and an excess of male-type hair growth called hirsutism. These women also are often found to have insulin resistance, a condition that allows high levels of insulin to circulate in the blood, which increases risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
PCOS also is associated with excessive levels of androgens - "male" hormones that normally exist at low levels in women. The effects on androgen production by hormones secreted by fat tissue (adipokines) are being studied at Cedars-Sinai, and several researchers will present related findings at the meetings. Researchers also will present preliminary evidence that the level of androgens produced by the adrenal glands of pre-adolescent girls may serve as markers of the risk of PCOS.
Ricardo Azziz, M.D., chairman of Cedars-Sinai's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, will open the Androgen Excess Society meeting with a brief history of the study of androgen excess disorders. He is one of the founders of the organization and its executive director. He also serves as director of Cedars-Sinai's Center for Androgen Related Disorders (CARD), which offers in-depth testing, comprehensive treatments and support, and research into molecular mechanisms and future therapies for PCOS, androgen excess and related disorders.
Among the Endocrine Society sessions presented by Cedars-Sinai researchers:
* AKT2: First Evidence of Genetic Association with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome;
* Adipokine Regulation of Ovarian Theca Cell Androgen Production;
* Are Adrenal Androgens in Pre-Adolescent Girls Markers of Risk for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)";
* Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Inflammation: Adipokine Secretion by Adipocytes and Regulation by Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines;
* Circulating Adipokines, Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Young Women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS);
The first in Southern California and one of only 10 hospitals in the state whose nurses have been honored with the prestigious Magnet designation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is one of the largest nonprofit academic medical centers in the Western United States. For 19 consecutive years, it has been named Los Angeles' most preferred hospital for all health needs in an independent survey of area residents. Cedars-Sinai is internationally renowned for its diagnostic and treatment capabilities as well as breakthroughs in biomedical research and superlative medical education. It ranks among the top 10 non-university hospitals in the nation for its research activities and is fully accredited by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. (AAHRPP). Additional information is available at cedars-sinai.edu/
Contact: Sandy Van
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
One key topic was a gene that appears to play a role in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disorder among reproductive-age women.
Women with PCOS have many small cysts on the periphery of the ovaries and suffer from symptoms that include menstrual irregularities, excess weight, skin problems and an excess of male-type hair growth called hirsutism. These women also are often found to have insulin resistance, a condition that allows high levels of insulin to circulate in the blood, which increases risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
PCOS also is associated with excessive levels of androgens - "male" hormones that normally exist at low levels in women. The effects on androgen production by hormones secreted by fat tissue (adipokines) are being studied at Cedars-Sinai, and several researchers will present related findings at the meetings. Researchers also will present preliminary evidence that the level of androgens produced by the adrenal glands of pre-adolescent girls may serve as markers of the risk of PCOS.
Ricardo Azziz, M.D., chairman of Cedars-Sinai's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, will open the Androgen Excess Society meeting with a brief history of the study of androgen excess disorders. He is one of the founders of the organization and its executive director. He also serves as director of Cedars-Sinai's Center for Androgen Related Disorders (CARD), which offers in-depth testing, comprehensive treatments and support, and research into molecular mechanisms and future therapies for PCOS, androgen excess and related disorders.
Among the Endocrine Society sessions presented by Cedars-Sinai researchers:
* AKT2: First Evidence of Genetic Association with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome;
* Adipokine Regulation of Ovarian Theca Cell Androgen Production;
* Are Adrenal Androgens in Pre-Adolescent Girls Markers of Risk for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)";
* Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Inflammation: Adipokine Secretion by Adipocytes and Regulation by Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines;
* Circulating Adipokines, Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Young Women with and without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS);
The first in Southern California and one of only 10 hospitals in the state whose nurses have been honored with the prestigious Magnet designation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is one of the largest nonprofit academic medical centers in the Western United States. For 19 consecutive years, it has been named Los Angeles' most preferred hospital for all health needs in an independent survey of area residents. Cedars-Sinai is internationally renowned for its diagnostic and treatment capabilities as well as breakthroughs in biomedical research and superlative medical education. It ranks among the top 10 non-university hospitals in the nation for its research activities and is fully accredited by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. (AAHRPP). Additional information is available at cedars-sinai.edu/
Contact: Sandy Van
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
вторник, 6 марта 2012 г.
German, Cameroonian Advocacy Groups Launch 'Breast Ironing' Awareness Campaign
The German cooperation agency GTZ and the Cameroonian nongovernmental organization Network of Aunties, which supports young women with children, have launched a campaign warning that the practice of "breast ironing" can stunt girls' natural development and is dangerous and ineffective, IRIN News reports.
According to IRIN News, breast ironing involves massaging breasts of young girls with a stone, hammer or heated spatula to make them disappear and prevent sexual advances of boys and men (IRIN News, 8/27). People who perform the practice in Cameroon could go to jail for up to three years if a physician determines the breasts have been damaged (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 6/26/06). However, about 24% of girls in Cameroon have had their breasts ironed, including up to 53% of girls in the coastal Littoral province, a recent GTZ survey found. According to the survey, about 3.8 million young girls are at risk of undergoing the practice.
Flavien Ndonko, an anthropologist with GTZ's German-Cameroon HIV/AIDS health program, said that the practice has negative health consequences and is ineffective as a form of sex education. Many young girls and women with children have said they had their breasts ironed, which "clearly proves" that the practice does not work as pregnancy prevention, Ndonko said. According to IRIN News, girls and women ages 13 to 25 account for one-third of unintended pregnancies in the country.
Ndonko said that because parents are often uncomfortable discussing sex with their children, they "prefer to get rid of the bodily signs of sexuality." Because sex is not discussed openly, girls often are unaware of how to prevent pregnancy, or HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, Bessem Arrey Ebanga Bisong, executive secretary of Network of Aunties, said. GTZ and Network of Aunties' breast ironing awareness campaign has generated discussion about the practice, Ndonko said. "This is a good way to resolve the problem: people talk about it and ask why it is being done," she said, adding, "As there is no way to justify [the practice] ... hopefully, they will stop doing it" (IRIN News, 8/27).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation© 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
According to IRIN News, breast ironing involves massaging breasts of young girls with a stone, hammer or heated spatula to make them disappear and prevent sexual advances of boys and men (IRIN News, 8/27). People who perform the practice in Cameroon could go to jail for up to three years if a physician determines the breasts have been damaged (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 6/26/06). However, about 24% of girls in Cameroon have had their breasts ironed, including up to 53% of girls in the coastal Littoral province, a recent GTZ survey found. According to the survey, about 3.8 million young girls are at risk of undergoing the practice.
Flavien Ndonko, an anthropologist with GTZ's German-Cameroon HIV/AIDS health program, said that the practice has negative health consequences and is ineffective as a form of sex education. Many young girls and women with children have said they had their breasts ironed, which "clearly proves" that the practice does not work as pregnancy prevention, Ndonko said. According to IRIN News, girls and women ages 13 to 25 account for one-third of unintended pregnancies in the country.
Ndonko said that because parents are often uncomfortable discussing sex with their children, they "prefer to get rid of the bodily signs of sexuality." Because sex is not discussed openly, girls often are unaware of how to prevent pregnancy, or HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, Bessem Arrey Ebanga Bisong, executive secretary of Network of Aunties, said. GTZ and Network of Aunties' breast ironing awareness campaign has generated discussion about the practice, Ndonko said. "This is a good way to resolve the problem: people talk about it and ask why it is being done," she said, adding, "As there is no way to justify [the practice] ... hopefully, they will stop doing it" (IRIN News, 8/27).
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation© 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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