Year in Review: Women's Health in 2022
The overturning of Roe v Wade catapulted women’s reproductive health into the national spotlight in 2022. In addition to OHSU’s commitment to abortion care, researchers and clinicians have made strides in many other areas of women’s health this year. Learn more about these efforts in our 2022 roundup of women’s health research, education and clinical care.
Immediately after the United States Supreme Court announced its decision to roll back Roe vs Wade protections, OHSU shared its position statement: Abortion is essential health care. The Family Planning team at the OHSU Center for Women’s Health expanded its information and resources about abortion care services. The OHSU Foundation urgently established the Abortion Care and Training (ACT) Fund. Its goals are to expand clinical services, train providers in restricted states, and advance research to guide policy.
Learn more:
- OHSU welcomes first out-of-state OB/GYN resident to receive training in abortion care (OHSU News)
- In Oregon, an effort to train the next generation of abortion care providers gets underway (Portland Monthly)
- Abortion FAQ – Center for Women’s Health
- How will doctors train for a post-Roe world? (Science Friday)
The OHSU’s Fetal Care Program expanded to perform complex in-utero surgeries. The collaborative program brings together providers from OHSU Doernbecher and the Center for Women’s Health to care for patients under one roof.
Learn more:
- OHSU expands fetal care program, in-utero treatments for complex pregnancies (OHSU News)
- First patient of new fetal surgery team: ‘All of them contributed to this success story’ (OHSU News)
- OHSU fetal surgeons save twins facing life-threatening condition (OHSU News)
Research expanded to detect early complications in pregnancy by examining placental health. Additionally, the Center for Women’s Health’s Circle of Giving awarded funding to a study that aims to examine proper placental location through nanotechnology. This technique may help with earlier detection of conditions such as ectopic pregnancies or placenta accrete spectrum.
Learn more:
- OHSU researches develop new imagine method to detect complications early in pregnancy (OHSU News)
- Nanotechnology may better identify, treat ectopic pregnancy (OHSU News)
Researchers received support to investigate a method to turn an individual’s skin cell into an egg, with the potential to produce viable embryos. This groundbreaking technique could provide an option for child-bearing couples unable to produce viable eggs on their own.
Learn more:
Previous Circle of Giving awardee Pepper Schedin, Ph.D. published findings that recent childbirth is a risk factor for breast cancer progression. “A postpartum diagnosis can move women who appear to have a good prognosis into a high-risk category,” says Dr. Schendin.
Learn more:
Dr. Alison Edelman pioneered research showed an average change of less than one day in overall cycle duration following vaccination.
Researches are exploring the use of nanoparticles to treat endometriosis, a painful condition that affects nearly 1 in 10 people with a uterus.
- Nanotechnology may point to a future treatment for a common gynecological condition (OPB)
- Nanoparticle technology could be new, non-invasive treatment for endometriosis (OHSU News)
We wish you health and happiness in the New Year! The OHSU Center for Women’s Health remains committed to advancing health for women across the lifespan in 2023 and beyond.