Health Matters for Women - August 2020

New from CDC CDC Launches New "Hear Me" Campaign CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health has released a national communication campaign that brings attention to maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States. Hear Her seeks to raise awareness of potentially life-threatening warning signs during and in the year after pregnancy and encourages the people supporting pregnant and postpartum women to really listen and take action when she expresses concerns.  Women, Caregiving, and COVID-19 CDC's Office of Women's Health releases guidance for women and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two out of every three women in the United States are caregivers, meaning they provide daily or regular support to children, adults, or people with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Women who are caregivers have a greater risk for poor physical and mental health, including depression and anxiety. The COVID-19 pandemic can add even more stressors to caregiving. Here are some tips to help you manage caring for yourself and others:  Infant Mortality by Maternal Prepregnancy Body Mass Index: United States, 2017 - 2018 This report presents 2017–2018 infant mortality rates in the United States by maternal prepregnancy body mass index, and by infant age at death, maternal age, and maternal race and Hispanic origin. Characteristics of Marijuana Use During Pregnancy — Eight States, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, 2017 Among women in eight states who had a recent live birth, 9.8% reported using marijuana before pregnancy, 4.2% during pregnancy, and 5.5% after pregnancy. Evidence regarding the safety and health effects of cannabis use during pregnancy is largely inconclusive. Potential adverse health effects to exposed infants (e.g., lower birth weight) have been documented. Alcohol Use and Co-Use of Other Substances Among Pregnant Females Aged 12–44 Years — United States, 2015–2018 In a recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) article, CDC researchers found that use of other substances is common among women who reported alcohol use during pregnancy. This report found that about 10% of pregnant women reported current alcohol use (at least one alcoholic drink in the past 30 days), of which nearly 40% also reported current use of one or more other substances, most commonly tobacco and marijuana. Increased screening and interventions for alcohol and other substances in pregnancy could improve the health of women and their children.  Prescription Opioid Misuse and Use of Alcohol and Other Substances Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019 A new CDC report on substance use among U.S. high school students shows that in 2019, 29% reported current alcohol use, 22% reported marijuana use, 14% reported binge drinking, and 7% reported prescription opioid misuse. Females were significantly more likely to report current alcohol use (32%) than males (26%). Females were also significantly more likely to report binge drinking (15%) than males (13%). Learn more about the risks and prevention of underage drinking. Snapshots

	QuickStats: Death Rates* from Stroke Among Persons Aged ≥65 Years, by Sex and Age Group — National Vital Statistics System, United States, 2018 QuickStats: Age-Adjusted Death Rates for Males, Females, and Both Sexes — United States, 2009–2018

Federal Agencies Workshop on Innovative Models of Care for Reducing Inequities in Maternal Health - NIH Study Suggests Opioid use Linked to Pregnancy Loss, Lower Chance of Conception - NIH Office on Violence Against Women Fiscal Year 2020 COVID-19/Violence Against Women Assistance to Tribes - Department of Justice Women's Preventative Services Initiative - HRSA Webinar on CLAS and Maternal Health: Improving the Quality of Care for Racial and Ethnic Minority Women - OASH National, State and Local  Requests for Research Proposals to Address Maternal and Infant Health Needs During COVID-19 Pandemic - March of Dimes  Anthem Foundation and March of Dimes Address Health Inequity in Maternal Healthcare American Cancer Society Updates Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines to Start Screening at Age 25  Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs in Telehealth Project Taking Proper Steps to Protect Yourself and Baby While Breastfeeding During COVID-19 - PA MDHHS partners with U-M Youth Policy Lab to Evaluate Michigan's Maternal Infant Health Program - MI Ohio Department of Health Celebrates and Recognizes Breastfeeding Awareness Month  Global Stronger Partnerships and Investment Needed to Support Women’s Recovery from COVID-19 in the Global South - UN Women In Yemen, Women Face Added Challenges Posed by COVID-19 Amidst Ongoing Armed Conflict - UN Women  Health Observances, September 2020 Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Ovarian Cancer National Preparedness Month Reproductive Health in Emergency Preparedness and Response National Preparedness Month National Sexual Health Awareness Month Sexual Health National Sickle Cell Month Sickle Cell Disease and Pregnancy Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Month Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Common Reproductive Health Concerns for Women National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month Childhood Overweight and Obesity Progress on Childhood Obesity 9/6 – 9/12 National Suicide Prevention Week Suicide Prevention 9/10 World Suicide Prevention Day Suicide: Prevention Strategies 9/29 World Heart Day Women and Heart Disease Prevention WISEWOMAN Million Hearts® 9/30 National Women’s Health and Fitness Day™ Physical Activity for All Women