U.S. Women Living In Areas Devoid Of Proper Maternity Care
Maternity care deserts are characterized as being areas without hospitals that offer obstetric care, birth centers, or a specialized provider. According to a new report from the March of Dimes, these areas continue to be a problem in the U.S. as women die of pregnancy complications at rates higher than women in other high-income nations. More than 2.2 million women of childbearing age live in such deserts and an additional 4.8 million live in areas with limited access to maternity care. Women in the rural U.S. are especially at risk of giving birth without proper access to care. Also, there are more than four times as many rural counties that are maternity care deserts than urban counties, and only 8% of obstetrics providers report working in rural areas. At the same time, 1 in 3 women of childbearing age in a maternity care desert lives in an urban setting. The report can be obtained here.
Mental Health Of U.S. Adults
Three new data briefs from the CDC outline the state of mental health among U.S. adults in 2019. More than 1 in 7 of these individuals experienced some level of anxiety during 2019, before the pandemic, while nearly 1 in 5 reported depression. Additional information is as follows:
Anxiety: When asked about their anxiety symptoms in the two weeks prior to being surveyed, nearly 10% of adults reported mild anxiety, while around 3% reported severe forms of anxiety. Women and those aged 18-29 were most likely to report being anxious. The data brief can be obtained here.
Depression: Nearly 12% of respondents reported mild depression symptoms in the two weeks prior to being surveyed, while nearly 3% reported severe depression. White and Black adults were most likely to report depression than other racial groups. The data brief can be obtained here.
Treatment: Around 1 in 5 U.S. adults reported having any mental health treatment last year. Around 16% said they had taken some medication, while around 10% reported obtaining counseling. The data brief can be obtained here.
Integrating Systems And Sectors Toward Obesity Solutions
The Roundtable on Obesity Solutions of the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine held a virtual public workshop, Integrating Systems and Sectors Toward Obesity Solutions, on April 6, 2020 (Part I), and June 30, 2020 (Part II). The event explored complex systems and contributing factors that can influence obesity, and shared real-life examples of applying systems thinking and systems science approaches to addressing obesity and population health and well-being. In Part I, speakers provided an overview of systems science theories and approaches and their application. In Part II, speakers discussed complex systems in society that have the potential to shape the public’s health and considered opportunities for systems change with regard to obesity solutions. Specifically, the workshop explored how factors such as power dynamics, structural racism, relationships, resources, place-based issues, policy, and political will affect systems that can influence obesity, as well as how these factors can have an impact on communications and cross-sector collaboration to address obesity. The Proceedings of the Workshop can obtained here.
More October 2020 TRENDS Articles
IN SEARCH OF CONNECTIONS
Discusses COVID-19 in the context of a 19th century cholera epidemic and its subsequent linkage to the germ theory of disease that was based on four famous postulates involving causative pathogens. Read More
DUELING COVID-19 AID PACKAGES
Looks at efforts to add increased stimulus funding to address a wide range of problems stemming from this disease. Read More
HEALTH REFORM DEVELOPMENTS
Points how out to achieve near-universal health insurance coverage, Medicare prices paid by private plans, and how a Supreme Court confirmation hearing involved discussions of the Affordable Care Act. Read More
DEVELOPMENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Describes the impact of the coronavirus on higher education, fostering research integrity, and launching of a new FAFSA cycle. Read More
QUICK STAT (SHORT, TIMELY, AND TOPICAL)
American Adolescents And Mental Illness Treatment Variation
Alcohol-Induced Deaths Among Adults Aged 25 And Over, U.S., 2000-2018
Use Of Holographic Imaging To Detect Viruses And Antibodies
Cell Revival Following A Heart Attack Read More
AVAILABLE RESOURCES ACCESSIBLE ELECTRONICALLY
U.S. Women Living In Areas Devoid Of Proper Maternity Care
Mental Health Of U.S. Adults
Integrating Systems And Sectors Toward Obesity Solutions Read More
BIG DATA, RESEARCH, AND ETHICS CHALLENGES FOR IRBs
Examines how shifts in biomedical research have led to questions regarding which oversight bodies should be involved for this kind of research. Read More
HISPANIC GENDER DIFFERENCES IN HOSPITALIZED HEART PATIENTS
Pertains to the significant underrepresentation of women in heart failure studies and the need to develop health care strategies. Read More