Hear are the top things to know in women’s health and wellness so far this week:
For the fourth year in a row the US got a D+ grade from the March of Dimes on pregnancy health. Preterm birth rates aren’t going down, and the report noted even more backsliding in more maternal health measures.
A McKinsey report found that if women simply got the preventative screenings that are recommended, hospitals and providers could generate $38 billion in revenue. And that doesn’t account for how much those screenings could save in early treatment.
A period blood facial? It’s happening on some corners of the internet...but you can probably guess where the evidence is at.
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EVERYTHING
What: A McKinsey analysis finds the US health industry misses out on $50 billion a year in revenue by failing to provide women consistent preventive care and by losing women clinicians to high turnover. They estimate that women getting guideline-based screenings could generate nearly $38 billion, while improving nurse retention could save roughly $12 billion annually. The report argues that investing in preventive care, clinician retention, and inclusive policies benefits both women’s health and system finances.
Key Line: “This estimate does not account for 1) the additional, much larger revenue potential for health systems that perform treatments in response to positive results identified by screenings, or 2) how additional healthy life years for millions of women could benefit the economy, or 3) the savings potential across the healthcare ecosystem from addressing health concerns earlier in the course of the disease.”
My Take: This is low-hanging fruit that could make a massive difference.
Source: McKinsey & Company
What: Under the leadership of HHS Sec. Kennedy, the CDC quietly removed a statement on their website that explicitly said vaccines do not cause autism, reversing long-standing scientific consensus and prompting alarm from public health experts. The move drew immediate backlash from scientists and criticism from Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, who essentially guaranteed Kennedy’s confirmation after getting a “pledge” that the secretary would not say vaccines cause autism.
Key Line: “The updated CDC webpage now includes an asterisk after the header ‘Vaccines do not cause Autism,’ explaining that the header was not removed as part of an agreement with Cassidy.”
My Take: This is a typical (childish) Trump administration move: adhere to a promise literally but violate the spirit of it and see how far they can push things.
Source: Washington Post
MENSTRUATION
What: This is NY Post clickbait, but it I must admit it caught my eye! The paper reports that some skincare fans are collecting their period blood to use as a face treatment, claiming it has rejuvenating effects. (They include pictures). Experts quoted in the piece warn there’s no proof this works.
Key Line: “However, experts do not agree with the comparison of sterile PRP [aka the vampire facial] to menstrual blood, as the latter can contain different bacteria and fungi. It can also include Staphylococcus aureus — a common microbe that lives on the skin’s surface but can spur infections if it gets caught in cuts or pores — and even sexually transmitted infections, or STIs.”
My Take: I genuinely do not know where the skincare trends will go next.
Source: New York Post
What: The Week has an op-ed on debate in India over menstrual leave. They write that while menstrual leave can improve wellbeing and inclusion, mandatory rules might backfire by reinforcing bias or privacy concerns. The author argues that flexible, stigma-free options—like wellness leave or remote work—could be the most practical path forward.
Key Line: “The idea of menstrual leave is not new. Countries such as Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan have had provisions for paid menstrual leave since the mid-20th century, with some policies dating back to the World War II era. These early adopters recognised that menstrual pain, fatigue and discomfort can significantly affect productivity for many women. In India too, the conversation has expanded beyond the medical aspect to include dignity, comfort and equality at the workplace.”
My Take: Meanwhile, in America, we can’t get paid leave guaranteed after giving birth.
Source: The Week
PREGNANCY + POSTPARTUM
What: For the fourth year in a row, the March of Dimes gave the US a D+ for pregnancy health, citing a steady 10% preterm birth rate and worsening racial and economic disparities. Black moms still face a nearly 50% higher risk of early birth than the national average, and fewer women are starting prenatal care in the first trimester. Chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes are rising among pregnant women, with maternal and infant deaths remaining unacceptably high.
Key Line: “‘This year’s report card shows that while we remain stalled in our progress on preterm birth, we are also losing ground in other critical areas of maternal and infant health…Our country is stuck in a maternal and infant health crisis where too many families are being forgotten,’ Rahman said.”
My Take: Unfortunately, this will only get worse as Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” massive cuts to Medicaid and Obamacare insurance subsidies start hitting in the coming weeks and months.
Source: U.S. News & World Report