Editorial

When we first decided to do an issue on Women’s Health, there were certain apprehensions. It’s 2024 – have we still not reached the point where women’s health has been adequately integrated into broader health discussions? Would an issue talking about the health of women now undermine the cause of gender equality? Given that women are no longer a gender minority, does this thematic focus on women’s health risk not being inclusive enough? Conversely, have we as a society overcorrected for inclusivity and need to also address Men’s Health? Or does the eponymous best-selling magazine have that side covered?

As the articles started to arrive, the initial skepticism turned out to be speculative. It became clear how women’s health continues to be a nuanced domain and why we still need to talk about it.

Despite it being 2024, problems as significant as perinatal mental health are only now starting to get the attention that they deserve. It is thus our honor to congratulate the Lifeline for Moms research team at UMass Chan Medical School— headed by Dr. Nancy Byatt, alongside Drs. Wendy Davis and Christopher Sheldrick, the team recently secured a $21-million grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to investigate mental health equity in perinatal care.

Despite it being 2024, there are populations consistently lacking the social determinants of health and experiencing worse health outcomes compared to those with access to them. In this issue of Worcester Medicine, Dr. June O’Connor of Women’s Health of Central Massachusetts highlights how our local community at St. Anne’s Free Medical Program has championed the complex medico-social needs of uninsured and underinsured women in Worcester. In a powerful piece of narrative medicine, Dr. Megha Dogra, hospitalist at St. Vincent Hospital, pens a compelling story of a single mother and her struggle with sustenance. Dr. Cherise Hamblin and Ahnyia Sanders, medical director and program coordinator at the UMass Memorial Doula Program respectively, highlight the importance of acknowledging racism to promote culturally sensitive birthing practices. But is “women’s health” synonymous to obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn)? Olivia Buckle, a third-year medical student at UMass Chan Medical School, dispels this notion to acknowledge the varied identities of patients in the field of Ob/Gyn, aiming to bridge gaps in healthcare for gender minorities and provide queer-inclusive care.

Despite it being 2024, the legal terrain surrounding basic reproductive rights and access to abortion services has become more treacherous than in the past decades. In this issue, Dr. Zarah Rosen, resident physician in Ob/Gyn at UMass Chan Medical School, exposes crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs)— unregulated, faith-based nonprofits deceiving individuals seeking abortion care in the guise of clinics. Dr. Rosen uncovers how, in reality, CPCs are dedicated to persuading individuals against choosing abortion, often compiling databases used to support the criminalization of those seeking or obtaining abortion services.

Despite it being 2024, no, we have not reached a stage where women’s health is an instinctive part of mainstream health discourse. Notwithstanding how prevalent these issues are, pelvic floor dysfunction, women’s sexual dysfunction, and arousal disorders remain taboo. The good news is that the burgeoning field of FemTech is reshaping women’s health and wellness with numerous innovative initiatives. The FDA-approved Milli is the first all-in-one expanding vaginal dilator designed to address vaginismus and related dyspareunia without the discomfort and inconvenience of having to swap differently sized devices. Menstrual tracking apps are allowing users to monitor their cycles, predict fertile windows, and track symptoms with precision, providing personalized insights into reproductive health. Smart technology is offering pelvic floor trainers, breast pumps, and Kegel exercise trackers to support pelvic health and postpartum recovery. At-home hormone testing kits are enabling women to understand fertility and reproductive health, aiding informed decisionmaking about family planning and fertility treatments. Telemedicine platforms are now providing convenient access to birth control, emergency contraception, and STI testing and treatment, addressing gaps in reproductive healthcare access across the United States. On February 21, 2024, First Lady Jill Biden unveiled $100 million in federal funding as a part of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. This investment targets groundbreaking initiatives by women’s health researchers and startups lacking private backing.

Women’s health continues to be a work in progress that requires our attention. This edition of Worcester Medicine invites you to explore the ongoing efforts and contributions of Central Massachusetts’ medical community towards addressing these issues. From innovative research to community outreach initiatives, learn how our healthcare professionals are engaged in shaping the future of women’s health and striving towards a more equitable and inclusive healthcare landscape.