Night shifts plus unhealthy lifestyle increase diabetes risk in women
Both rotating night shift work and an unhealthy lifestyle are linked with increased risk of type 2 diabetes in women, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. But when both factors are…
Harvard has new mental health program for Asian American women
A new mental health initiative at Harvard University—part group therapy, part research study—will focus on Asian American women. Called Asian Women’s Action for Resilience and Empowerment (AWARE), the program was launched in September with help from Harvard T.…
Improving gender equity in the global health workforce
At a recent event held at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, researchers and advocates discussed ways of helping women in the health workforce advance in their careers and manage their family responsibilities—and how this can lead…
Women far outnumber men with PTSD
Although post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is often thought of as combat-related, there are actually far more women than men who suffer from the disorder, which can lead to flashbacks, anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and emotional numbing, as well as…
Premature birth rates rose after 2016 election—especially among Latina women
Rates of preterm births in New York City increased after the 2016 U.S. presidential election, particularly among foreign-born Hispanic women, suggesting that severe sociopolitical stressors contributed to the increase, according to a new study led by Harvard T.H.…
Breastfeeding hormone associated with reduced type 2 diabetes risk
Women with higher levels of prolactin—a hormone produced during breastfeeding—may be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. In a study of more than 8,600 American women, led by Jun Li, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Harvard…
Zika epidemic response flawed, reports find
During Latin America’s recent epidemic of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which peaked in early 2016, women’s sexual and reproductive rights were often ignored by governments throughout the region.
Low-dose aspirin may lower ovarian cancer risk
Women who reported recent, regular use of low-dose aspirin (100 milligrams or less) had a 23% lower risk of developing ovarian cancer when compared with women who did not regularly take aspirin, according to a new Harvard Chan…
Promoting safe, dignified childbirth around the world
Speakers at the recent Maternal Health Task Force symposium said that women around the world are demanding—and deserve—respectful, dignified childbirth, and providers and policymakers need to listen.
Two Harvard Chan researchers cited as women at forefront of cancer research
Heather Eliassen and Maryam Farvid of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health were featured on a list of nine women at the forefront of cancer research. The University Network (TUN) cited the two women in a September…