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EVERYTHING
Half of US Counties Lack an Ob-Gyn
What: An analysis of all 3,143 US counties found that nearly half (1,473) have no OBGYN at all. Counties without OBGYNs tended to be rural, lower-income, and more likely to have majority white populations. And among that group, very few had midwives (7%). The authors note these disparities highlight a major gap in maternity care access that will require new policy solutions.
Key Line: "Inequities in maternity care provision remain a significant issue in the United States, creating a need for creative policy solutions to improve access."
Source: Obstetrics & Gynecology
BIRTH CONTROL
Trump Officials Claimed $10M in Contraceptives Were Destroyed -- They Weren't Destroyed (Yet)
What: Just under $10 million worth of birth control pills, IUDs, and implants bought by USAID for low-income countries were ordered destroyed by the Trump administration, even though groups like the Gates Foundation had offered to buy or take them at no cost. The supplies had been sitting in a Belgian warehouse after the State Department ruled contraception was not “lifesaving” and cut funding. Belgian officials later said the contraceptives had not yet been destroyed, contradicting earlier USAID statements.
Key Line: "On Thursday, a spokeswoman for U.S.A.I.D. — which is now being wound down by Russell Vought, the head of the White House Office of Management and Budget — said in a statement to The Times that the contraceptives had been destroyed, and falsely suggested that they induced abortion. ...Update Sept. 12, 2025: Regional authorities in Belgium said on Friday that the contraceptive materials in a warehouse have not yet been destroyed, contradicting earlier comments from the spokeswoman for the United States Agency for International Development."
Source: New York Times
Most Americans View Birth Control as Safe and Support Access
What: A survey of over 1,000 adults found that most women have used hormonal birth control, but concerns over side effects and safety remain--especially with IUDs. Condoms were the most commonly used birth control method in the past year, while 43% of sexually active adults used no birth control at all. Broadly, Americans support legal access to birth control, insurance coverage, and mail-order prescriptions, though partisan divides remain on details like over-the-counter pill access and teenage use without parental approval.
Key Line: "The most common side effect experienced by women who have ever taken hormonal birth control is lighter periods or no periods (34%). Other common side effects among women who have ever taken hormonal birth control include weight gain (30%), reduced menstrual cramps (22%), irregular bleeding (21%), mood changes (20%), and headaches (14%). 27% of women who have ever taken hormonal birth control have not experienced any side effects."
Source: YouGov
MENOPAUSE
Oral HRT Raises Blood Clot and Heart Risks in Women with Type 2 Diabetes
What: A study of over 35,000 midlife women with type 2 diabetes found that *oral* hormone replacement therapy doubled the risk of pulmonary embolism and increased heart disease risk by 21% when compared to transdermal HRT, which did not show higher clot or stroke risk. Women using HRT patches had a 25% lower risk of heart disease versus women with diabetes who did not use HRT. The study is retrospective and has some population limits but suggests T2D patients should avoid oral estrogen therapy.
Key Line: “'The decision to use HRT, even for a short period of time, is very difficult for many women,' said Dr Anson. 'We hope our data will provide the increasing number of postmenopausal women living with T2D and their physicians with more evidence to consider when weighing the risks versus benefits of the most appropriate HRT formulation.'"
Source: European Associations for the Study of Type 2 Diabetes
WELLNESS + BEAUTY
Paris Hilton Mini Beauty Fridges Recalled for Catching on Fire
What: This is for a niche group, but if you bought a Paris Hilton-branded mini beauty fridge, it is being recalled for posing fire and burn hazards. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission warned consumers not to use the fridges and noted that selling recalled items is illegal.
Key Line: "The firm is aware of 27 reports of the mini fridge overheating and catching on fire. No injuries have been reported. Property damage has included damage to the unit and surrounding surfaces."
Source: CPSC
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