Women's Issues / Public News Service

A 2017 report in the New England Journal of Medicine found, among participants with coronary artery disease, fluctuation in body weight was associated with higher mortality and a higher rate of cardiovascular events, independent of traditional risk factors. (Rawpixel.com/Adobe Stock)

Friday, December 8, 2023

Post-holiday 'yo-yo' diets: risk factors for heart health

The holiday season is filled with recipes passed down from years before, and feasting with family and friends. But think again before you have …

Around 33% of registered voters who identify as pro-choice versus 23% of pro-life voters say they will only vote for a candidate who agrees with them on abortion, according to Gallup. (Adobe Stock)

Poll findings worsen for Biden; what does that mean for 2024?

Recent polling from The New York Times and Siena College found President Joe Biden trailing former President Donald Trump in five of the six most cruc…

28% of registered voters say they will only vote for candidates for major offices who share their position on abortion, according to Gallup. (Matt Gush / Adobe Stock)

Are polls and the President's approval rating true indicators for 2024?

Recent polling from The New York Times and Siena College found President Biden trailing former President Donald Trump in five of the six most crucial …

A Small Business Consumer Insights Survey found projected spending among U.S. consumers who shopped at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday in 2022 reached an estimated $17.9 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Small Business Saturday highlights survival, growth of entrepreneurs

Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, an opportunity for small businesses to market their products and services out of the shadows of "big-box" stores …

Research shows Black women have a maternal mortality rate nearly three times that of white women in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Report finds Kentucky maternal deaths extend into postpartum period

Maternal mortality has increased in Kentucky, and the latest data from the United Health Foundation show more moms - especially those of color - are …

Abortions have increased in states bordering Idaho since the beginning of the year. (Fitz/Adobe Stock)

Federal judge puts ID abortion travel ban on hold

A federal judge has temporarily blocked an anti-abortion law in Idaho restricting people's ability to travel to other states for the procedure…

More than 30,000 labor activists have signed a letter calling on top U.S. union leaders to

Postal Workers become largest union to demand ceasefire in Gaza

One of the nation's largest labor unions has become the latest organization to demand a ceasefire in Gaza as Israel's war with Hamas plays out…

Last year, Kansas voters overwhelmingly rejected efforts to eliminate the right to abortion under the state Constitution. Missouri's total abortion ban went into effect in June 2022. (trac1/Adobe Stock)

KS ruling broadens access to abortion, reproductive healthcare

A Kansas state court judge has blocked several abortion-related restrictions, in a decision which is bound to have an effect in neighboring Missouri…

Women in Ohio are sent to prison more often for drug offenses than their male counterparts, at times differing by more than 14% of the population. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Drug offenses draw higher incarceration rates for OH women

The number of women in Ohio prisons continues to trend downward but studies show women are still more likely to be imprisoned for drug offenses compar…

A United Health Foundation report found the number of women's health care providers declined by 7% nationally between 2019 and 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report ranks Maryland 11th in health of women, children

A new report covering women's and children's health shows Maryland is doing well overall, but some concerning trends have emerged. The 2023 Health …

Wyoming has gained some ground in food-insecurity rates over the past decade. In 2012, nearly 14% of families were food insecure, compared with 11.4% in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

One in three single-parent households experienced hunger last year

The number of families in Wyoming and across the nation struggling to put food on the table rose dramatically last year, according to a new report …

The United Health Foundation's 2023 Health of Women and Children report cited some strengths in Pennsylvania, including a low rate of foster-care placement instability, a high childhood immunization rate and low percentage of uninsured women ages 19-44. (Adobe Stock)

Report shows uptick in maternal mortality for PA women of color

Pennsylvania ranks 23rd among states for the overall health of women and children in a new America's Health Rankings report by the United Health Found…

Families in Early Head Start have stable home environments and less involvement with the child welfare system, according to the National Head Start Association. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Congress proposes slashing funding for Head Start programs

More than 3,000 Ohio children could lose access to Head Start programs under budget cut proposals now being considered by Congress. From birth …

In the America's Health Rankings report, Michigan ranks 18th among states for childhood immunizations, and 27th for kids getting preventive dental care. (tigercat_lpg/Adobe Stock)

Report shows uptick in mental health concerns for MI women

Michigan women have mental-health concerns at rates higher than the national average, according to a new report. The United Health Foundation …

American Indian/Alaska Native and Black women were found to have disproportionately high maternal mortality rates, according to a new report from the United Health Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NV Ranks 40th for the health and well-being of women and children

A new report ranked Nevada 40th in the nation for the overall health and well-being of women of reproductive age and children. Like all states…

Despite every county being a full access county, 1.8% of Connecticut women do not have a birthing hospital within 30 minutes of where they live, much lower than the national average of 9.7%. (Adobe Stock)

Report: CT women, children’s health care lagging

Despite Connecticut doing a lot to bolster child health, a new report found plenty more needs to be done. The state ranked 8th in the latest …

Experts recommend women seek screenings at facilities certified as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. (Adobe Stock)

Brem Foundation announces new breast cancer screening tool

October has been Breast Cancer Awareness Month and in the wake of a recent study showing an increase in the incidence of cancer at younger ages…

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or sexual violence, call the hotline at 775-221-7600 or text SASS to 839863 for free, confidential support. (Adobe Stock)

NV struggles to address rate of domestic violence; progress being made

Domestic Violence Awareness Month might be coming to an end, but a recent panel discussion was aimed at educating Nevadans about policy changes as …

Oregon saw a drop in early childhood education enrollment between 2019 and 2021. (thepoeticimage/Adobe Stock)

Health report: Mothers, children struggling across U.S.

A new report found a troubling rise in health challenges for mothers and children across the country. The United Health Foundation has released its …

Stroke is ranked as the second leading cause of death worldwide, with an annual mortality rate of about 5.5 million people. (Irina Strelnikova/Adobe Stock)

For World Stroke Day, learn how to spot a stroke

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke - so learning how to spot one can be vital in saving your own life or someone else's…

Report: MS ranks last among states for health of women, children

Mississippi received the lowest ranking of the 50 states for the overall health of women and children in the new America's Health Rankings report by t…

A 2023 March of Dimes report finds almost 14.8% of women in Virginia don't have a birthing hospital within 30 minutes of where they live, compared with 9.7% of women nationwide. (Adobe Stock)

Report: VA women’s health stagnates despite improvements

Progress in bolstering women's health in Virginia has stagnated, according to a new report. Virginia ranks 14th among the states in the latest …

People with additional years of education beyond high school tend to be more civic-minded and interact more with neighbors and family members, according to a recent Gallup poll. (Tyler Olson/Adobe Stock)

Increasingly, politics make their way into students' college choices

By Jon Marcus for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Michigan News Connection reporting for The Hechinger Report-Public News …

At the federal level, hate crime laws include crimes committed on the basis of the victim's perceived or actual race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability. (Argus/Adobe Stock)

Kansas City reassures residents after MO spike in religion-based hate crimes

Some Missourians fear an increase in hate crimes in the wake of a six-year-old's murder in Illinois this week - an incident authorities say was motiva…

According to the Commonwealth Fund, the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. is almost three times that of other high-income countries. The CDC has concluded that 80% of pregnancy-related deaths between 2017 and 2019 were preventable. (Adobe Stock)

Black Maternal Health Month: Health disparities persist in NE

Maternal mortality, or death from pregnancy-related issues, nearly doubled in the U.S. between 2018 and 2021 - and a person who is Black is three …

Michigan's Voting Rights Act would provide curbside voting and establishes protections for voters with disabilities. It also allows organizers to arrange rides to the polls for voters during elections. (zimmytws/Adobe Stock)

Michigan voting rights advocates push for lifting language, other barriers

Michigan lawmakers are set to consider a new Voting Rights Act for the state by next week. Introduced in June, Senate Bills 401, 402, 403 and 404 …

Abortion pills are playing an increasingly prominent role in post-Roe America. (fizkes/AdobeStock)

Abortion pill pipeline increases availability in 'red states'

By Carrie Baker for Ms. Magazine.Broadcast version by Roz Brown for Texas News Service reporting for the Ms. Magazine-Public News Service …

Advocates are pushing Illinois lawmakers to pass

Advocacy groups push IL lawmakers to pass domestic violence firearms bill

Domestic violence and gun violence prevention advocates are urging the Illinois General Assembly to pass a bill to strengthen state laws protecting pe…

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports one in three women in the United States has experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. (Adobe Stock)

IN domestic violence rates remain at troubling levels

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The most recent study from the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence cites a 181% …

Michigan obesity rates have more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the last 30 years. (Adobe Stock)

MI adults learn to 'lead by example' for kids' heart health

Heart disease is Michigan's number one cause of death. This is the time of year that parents can step up their efforts to prevent it - in the next …

It's estimated nearly 300,000 women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2023. (New Africa/Adobe Stock)

Breast cancer screenings should happen earlier, health experts say

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and health professionals say younger women are increasingly being diagnosed with the cancer. About one in …

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an estimated 9% of women of childbearing age in the United States have high blood pressure. Policy experts say expanding health coverage can open up more access to screenings, helping new moms avoid health complications. (Adobe Stock)

WI remains outlier in not fully extending postpartum Medicaid coverage

Wisconsin lawmakers are in the midst of their fall session and they face renewed calls to approve a plan to help new mothers with limited resources ma…

New Hampshire has the fourth-highest rate of breast cancer in the United States, yet more women are surviving breast cancer today than ever. (Adobe Stock)

Younger women in NH learn about risks for breast cancer

Health advocates in New Hampshire want to ensure younger women know the potential risk factors for breast cancer, the second most commoncancer among …

Obesity researchers in Missouri have been working on a five-year study of childhood obesity in lower-income families, led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. (Adobe Stock)

MO parents urged to 'lead by example' for kids' heart health

Heart disease takes more than 15,000 lives in Missouri every year, making it the number one cause of death in the state. This is the time of year …

Idaho outlawed abortions in nearly all situations in 2022. (trac1/Adobe Stock)

In restrictive ID, stage show aims to reduce abortion's stigma

A stage show hopes to normalize how people talk about abortion in Idaho, a state with some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country…

Idaho law enforcement received nearly 6,000 reported incidents of intimate partner violence in 2022. (nito/Adobe Stock)

Domestic violence awareness month: struggles for pregnant, indigenous people

October is domestic violence awareness month. The issue remains prevalent across the nation and in Idaho. Nearly one in three women experience …

Proponents of regular dental care cite the case of 12-year-old Deamonte Driver of Maryland, who died of a toothache in February 2007. (Anna Kosolapova/Adobe Stock)

Greater access to dental care through MO HealthNet

More Missourians should be able to get routine dental care, with a recent change in the way providers are paid by the state. MO HealthNet is paying …

More than 1,675 bills and resolutions were introduced in Arizona's 2023 legislative session.(Adobe Stock)

ACLU of AZ seeks to support access to abortion

The ACLU of Arizona was successful in defeating 93% of the bills it opposed during Arizona's last legislative session, which the group claims makes …

House Bill 4945 and House Bill 4946, sponsored by state Sen. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, were voted out of the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee last week. (Adobe Stock)

MI lawmakers debate tougher gun laws for domestic violence convictions

Michigan state lawmakers are moving closer to restricting gun ownership for more people who have been convicted of domestic violence. The House …

Many of Missouri's working parents have limited and often unaffordable access to quality child care, resulting in

MO loses $1.35 billion annually due to child care issues

Among Missouri parents surveyed, 30% reported they have limited their working hours or stopped altogether because of unreliable child care. The …

Michigan is among 20 states to receive a multiyear grant from the Pritzker Children's Initiative. (SneakyPeakPoints/peopleimages.com/Adobe Stock)

MI coalition helps get cash influx to improve childcare

The coalition known as "Think Babies Michigan" has advocated for more than $36 million in funding to offer grants to child-care providers for infants …

The 340B Drug Pricing Program, a part of the 1992 Public Health Service Act, provides outpatient drugs at deep discounts to safety net providers. (Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock)

Missouri community healthcare centers face 340B uncertainty

While large hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturers battle over drug costs, Missouri community health centers see themselves as collateral damage…

Republican lawmakers have introduced 40 bills targeting colleges and universities since 2022 in an effort to end practices including DEI trainings, and classes that deal with systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege. (Adobe Stock)

Colorado College offers HAVEN for transfer students from anti-DEI states

In a growing backlash since the nation was rocked by the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police, five states have now passed anti-diversity…

Missouri law allows Medigap enrollees to change Medicare insurance plans at the same coverage level during their anniversary window. (Andrey/Adobe Stock)

Open enrollment means researching your healthcare options

Missourians have plenty of choices when it comes to health insurance coverage - and it's time to gear up for making those decisions. For people on …

Damage seen on Maui after catastrophic, wind-driven fires swept through the area. (Brea Burkholz/Direct Relief)

CA Paradise Fire survivors help in Maui recovery

A California group formed after the firestorm that leveled the town of Paradise is stepping up to help Maui recover from its own disaster last month…

Hot-button issues like gender roles, domestic violence, and equal pay have often graced the cover of Ms. Magazine. (Ms. Magazine)

Ms. Magazine looks back on its first 50 years

This week, feminism passes a milestone of sorts as the iconic publication, Ms. Magazine, looks back on its first fifty years. A new book has just …

National Voter Registration Day is a nonpartisan civic holiday celebrating democracy. It has gained momentum since it was first observed in 2012. (DEEP/Adobe Stock)

About 1 in 3 Missourians Isn't Registered to Vote

Today is National Voter Registration Day, and Missourians have many locations where they can register to vote - from community colleges and …

The Indiana Girl Report says from 2015 to 2021, the rate of physical and sexual dating violence among high school girls in Indiana increased to 17%. (Adobe Stock).<br /><br /><br />

Coalition Highlights How Trauma Impacts IN Girls' Growth, Development

A new report focuses on "girl power" in Indiana - with an analysis of how young girls are faring in the state, and recommendations for improving …

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