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EVERYTHING
The Second X Chromosome Might Hold Key to Women and Autoimmune Diseases
What: A study identified the potential reason why women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and multiple sclerosis: the molecules that turn off the second X chromosome end up confusing the immune system.
Why it matters: If the finding is borne out in future studies, it could guide treatments that target the molecules silencing the X chromosome – instead of the entire immune system.
Source: New York Times
PREGNANCY
Mississippi Moves Towards Covering Pregnant Women
What: Mississippi has the worst infant mortality in the country, and that may have convinced state Republicans to actually give pregnant women health insurance. The state legislature moved a bipartisan bill along that will give pregnant moms 60 days of “presumptive eligibility” for Medicaid coverage, instead of making them wait weeks to get approved for care.
Why it matters: Prenatal care can improve both infant and maternal mortality.
Source: ABC News
BIRTH CONTROL
Florida Inches Towards Broader Birth Control Access After Banning Abortion
What: Florida has effectively banned abortion in the state, but Democrats in the state legislature haven’t given up on protecting access to birth control. They are proposing a bill to allow pharmacists to prescribe abortion for a short-term period, until women can get in to see a doctor.
Why it matters: Democrats think they can get some Republicans to join the legislation. (It’s not much, but it’s something.)
Source: WCTV
ABORTION ACCESS
Abortion Care Navigators Help Women With Logistics
What: Kaiser Health News profiles what’s becoming the new normal – abortion “navigators” helping women access care out of state. Case managers at the National Abortion Federation help women fund procedures and all the logistics that come with it, like finding clinics, hotels, and ways to get there.
Why it matters: This is what it takes after the fall of Roe for women to get the health care they need.
Source: Kaiser Health News
MENOPAUSE
Menopause Will Be At the Super Bowl
What: The Super Bowl is soon, and no this isn’t about Taylor Swift. Instead, it’s about a commercial that will air during the game: Pharmaceutical company Astrellas has a spot running advertising its new, nonhormonal drug to treat hot flashes during menopause, Veozah.
Why it matters: Personally, I can’t wait to hear how many men get their tighty-whities in a bunch over the spot. Based on their TSwift freakouts for mere seconds of screentime during the game, it should be good.
Source: Ad Age
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