Many adults who were raised Roman Catholic and leave the faith do so because of a dissatisfaction with the church's teachings on abortion, birth control and other social issues, according to a report released Monday by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, the Los Angeles Times reports. The report -- titled "Faith in Flux: Changes in Religious Affiliation in the U.S." -- revealed that 10% of American adults who were raised Catholic have left the church (Helfand, Los Angeles Times, 4/27).
The report followed up with 2,800 people who participated in a 2007 survey on religious affiliation that found that 44% of U.S. adults had left their childhood religion. The new study found that about six in 10 former Catholics who reported being unaffiliated said they left the church because of its teachings on abortion and homosexuality, while about half said they left the church because of its teachings on birth control. In addition, four in 10 former Catholics said they left because they were unhappy with Catholicism's treatment of women. The report also found that between 47% and 59% of U.S. adults change religious affiliation at least once in their lifetime. In addition, the report found that Catholics were likely to leave the church because they stopped believing in the church's teachings, while Protestants were more likely to switch from one Protestant denomination to another (Gorski, AP/Google, 4/27).
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops responded to the report, saying that it is pleased that retention rates in the Catholic Church were aligned with other faiths. However, the study's authors said that the number of people leaving the Catholic Church outnumbered converts four to one (Paulson, Boston Globe, 4/28).
Reprinted with kind permission from nationalpartnership. You can view the entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company.
© 2009 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
четверг, 29 марта 2012 г.
четверг, 22 марта 2012 г.
House Subcommittee Debates Postpartum Depression Bill; Republicans Indicate Measure Should Include Abortion-Related Language
The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee on Tuesday debated legislation (HR 20) that would aim to identify causes and treatments for postpartum depression, and some Republicans on the panel indicated that the measure should be amended to include language on "postabortion depression," CQ HealthBeat reports (Reichard, CQ HealthBeat, 5/1). The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.), would "expand and intensify" research at the National Institute of Mental Health and other agencies on postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. The bill also would provide grants through HHS for the "establishment, operation and coordination of effective and cost-efficient systems for the delivery of essential services" for women with the conditions and their families (HR 20 text, 5/2). Rush has said that about 400,000 women suffer from mood changes after they give birth and that one in 1,000 new mothers develop postpartum psychosis. According to CQ HealthBeat, Rush has been working for passage of the bill since 2001.
Rep. Nathan Deal (R-Ga.) -- the ranking member on the subcommittee and co-sponsor of the legislation -- said in his opening statement that postpartum depression "has consequences not only for the woman but for the child and the family as a whole." He added that more should be known about all aspects of depression, including depression that might occur after undergoing an abortion. Deal's reference to abortion "triggered a rebuke" from Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), who called the reference "offensive," CQ HealthBeat reports. DeGette said that postabortion depression has not been recognized as a clinical condition by established medical professionals, adding that U.S. women have waited too long for action on postpartum depression to have the hearing diverted into a "political theatre."
Deal cited witness testimony from women who said they developed depression after undergoing abortion. He also said that he would not attempt to modify the bill to include research on the condition but that his Republican colleagues might do so. Deal said the issue would not delay House action on the bill. An aide to Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), chair of the subcommittee, said a date for a bill mark up has not been set. Pallone at the hearing said he would "work with Rush to move this legislation to the floor as soon as possible" (CQ HealthBeat, 5/1).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
Rep. Nathan Deal (R-Ga.) -- the ranking member on the subcommittee and co-sponsor of the legislation -- said in his opening statement that postpartum depression "has consequences not only for the woman but for the child and the family as a whole." He added that more should be known about all aspects of depression, including depression that might occur after undergoing an abortion. Deal's reference to abortion "triggered a rebuke" from Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), who called the reference "offensive," CQ HealthBeat reports. DeGette said that postabortion depression has not been recognized as a clinical condition by established medical professionals, adding that U.S. women have waited too long for action on postpartum depression to have the hearing diverted into a "political theatre."
Deal cited witness testimony from women who said they developed depression after undergoing abortion. He also said that he would not attempt to modify the bill to include research on the condition but that his Republican colleagues might do so. Deal said the issue would not delay House action on the bill. An aide to Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), chair of the subcommittee, said a date for a bill mark up has not been set. Pallone at the hearing said he would "work with Rush to move this legislation to the floor as soon as possible" (CQ HealthBeat, 5/1).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
четверг, 15 марта 2012 г.
Obesity Likely Contributing To Older, Minority Women's Increased Risk For Arthritis, Study Finds
Older minority women are more likely than their white counterparts to develop osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, likely because of risk factors such as obesity, according to a study published last month in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, Reuters Health reports.
For the study, researcher Nicole Wright of the University of Arizona and colleagues studied 146,494 women participating in the Women's Health Initiative -- an ongoing study of healthy postmenopausal women. Forty-four percent of the women had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Researchers found that the risk for developing osteoarthritis was slightly higher for American Indian and black women compared with white women. Asian women had the lowest risk. Women in their 70s had the highest risk of osteoarthritis, while younger women had less risk. Other risk factors for osteoarthritis include level of activity, education, income and weight, Reuters Health reports.
Among women in their 50s, 39.3% of Hispanic women had osteoarthritis, compared with 36.4% of American Indians, 33.8% of blacks, 25.8% of Asians and 22.6% of whites. Risk factors associated with the condition were more common among blacks, American Indians and Hispanics. For example, 57.9% of blacks were obese, compared with 51% of American Indians, 41.9% of Hispanics and 32.9% of whites. Researchers speculate that excess weight increases the physical stress on the joints and bone mineral density, which might increase stiffness in bones and contribute to the weakening of cartilage.
According to the study, the findings offer "strong evidence that body weight and [body mass index] may be large contributing factor[s] to the number and severity of osteoarthritis symptoms, further elaborating the importance of postmenopausal women" -- especially those who are black, Hispanic and American Indian -- to maintain a healthy weight (Reuters Health, 10/17).
An abstract of the study is available online.
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation.? All rights reserved.
For the study, researcher Nicole Wright of the University of Arizona and colleagues studied 146,494 women participating in the Women's Health Initiative -- an ongoing study of healthy postmenopausal women. Forty-four percent of the women had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Researchers found that the risk for developing osteoarthritis was slightly higher for American Indian and black women compared with white women. Asian women had the lowest risk. Women in their 70s had the highest risk of osteoarthritis, while younger women had less risk. Other risk factors for osteoarthritis include level of activity, education, income and weight, Reuters Health reports.
Among women in their 50s, 39.3% of Hispanic women had osteoarthritis, compared with 36.4% of American Indians, 33.8% of blacks, 25.8% of Asians and 22.6% of whites. Risk factors associated with the condition were more common among blacks, American Indians and Hispanics. For example, 57.9% of blacks were obese, compared with 51% of American Indians, 41.9% of Hispanics and 32.9% of whites. Researchers speculate that excess weight increases the physical stress on the joints and bone mineral density, which might increase stiffness in bones and contribute to the weakening of cartilage.
According to the study, the findings offer "strong evidence that body weight and [body mass index] may be large contributing factor[s] to the number and severity of osteoarthritis symptoms, further elaborating the importance of postmenopausal women" -- especially those who are black, Hispanic and American Indian -- to maintain a healthy weight (Reuters Health, 10/17).
An abstract of the study is available online.
Reprinted with kind permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
© 2008 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation.? All rights reserved.
четверг, 8 марта 2012 г.
HPV Test Better Than Pap Smear For Over 40s
If you are a woman under 40 you are better off having a Pap Smear, if you are over 40 you are better off having a human papillomavirus (HPV) test, say researchers from the Danish Cancer Society. The majority of cervical cancers are caused by HPV infections.
You can read about this study in the journal Cancer Research.
The study of 8,656 women (aged 22-32) and 1,578 women (aged 40-50), found that HPV is less common, but more persistent in older women. HPV infection among younger women is significantly less directly linked to cervical cancer risk. Older women with HPV infection are at a much higher risk of cervical cancer before the cervical cells change. A Pap Smear identifies changes in the cervical cells.
In other words, it is better to test younger women for changes in cervical cells (Pap Smear) and older women for HPV infection (HPV test).
The researchers found that the majority of women who did have HPV infection tested negative on a Pap Smear.
Team leader, Dr. Susanne Kruger Kjaer, said "Based on these results, we feel that an HPV test would benefit older women, whether or not that test is used in conjunction with Pap smears, or used by itself as an initial screen."
"The Absolute Risk of Cervical Abnormalities in High-risk Human Papillomavirus-Positive, Cytologically Normal Women Over a 10-Year Period"
Susanne Kjaer, Estrid H???gdall, Kirsten Frederiksen, Christian Munk, Adriaan van den Brule, Edith Svare, Chris Meijer, Attilla Lorincz and Thomas Iftner
Cancer Research 2006 66: 10621-10629
Click here to see abstract online
You can read about this study in the journal Cancer Research.
The study of 8,656 women (aged 22-32) and 1,578 women (aged 40-50), found that HPV is less common, but more persistent in older women. HPV infection among younger women is significantly less directly linked to cervical cancer risk. Older women with HPV infection are at a much higher risk of cervical cancer before the cervical cells change. A Pap Smear identifies changes in the cervical cells.
In other words, it is better to test younger women for changes in cervical cells (Pap Smear) and older women for HPV infection (HPV test).
The researchers found that the majority of women who did have HPV infection tested negative on a Pap Smear.
Team leader, Dr. Susanne Kruger Kjaer, said "Based on these results, we feel that an HPV test would benefit older women, whether or not that test is used in conjunction with Pap smears, or used by itself as an initial screen."
"The Absolute Risk of Cervical Abnormalities in High-risk Human Papillomavirus-Positive, Cytologically Normal Women Over a 10-Year Period"
Susanne Kjaer, Estrid H???gdall, Kirsten Frederiksen, Christian Munk, Adriaan van den Brule, Edith Svare, Chris Meijer, Attilla Lorincz and Thomas Iftner
Cancer Research 2006 66: 10621-10629
Click here to see abstract online
четверг, 1 марта 2012 г.
Republican Presidential Candidates Discuss Abortion-Rights Views At National Right To Life Committee Convention
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R) and Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), who both are running for the Republican presidential nomination, on Friday at the National Right to Life Committee's annual convention in Kansas City discussed their views on abortion rights, the AP/Boston Globe reports (Hanna, AP/Boston Globe, 6/15).
Romney in his remarks to hundreds of attendees said that he was "wrong" for previously supporting abortion rights and that he had "arrived at this place of principle only a few years ago" (Kraske, Kansas City Star, 6/15). He said, "My experience as governor taught me firsthand that the threat to our culture is real. When responsibility for life or ending life was placed in my hands, I made the right decision."
Brownback, when asked about abortion-rights opponents who support Romney, said, "I'd say, 'Look at me first.' I'm somebody who's been consistent." He added, "I've been fighting this fight for a long time, and I believe in it, and I think it's the central social, moral issue of our day." Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.), who is considering running for the nomination, addressed the convention attendees on Thursday in a taped, three-minute speech. In his message, Thompson noted that he received NRTL's endorsement when he ran for the Senate in 1994. He added, "I've been with you ever since, and you've been with me ever since" (AP/Boston Globe, 6/15). Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), who is running for the nomination, also spoke at the convention (Kansas City Star, 6/15).
Romney in his remarks to hundreds of attendees said that he was "wrong" for previously supporting abortion rights and that he had "arrived at this place of principle only a few years ago" (Kraske, Kansas City Star, 6/15). He said, "My experience as governor taught me firsthand that the threat to our culture is real. When responsibility for life or ending life was placed in my hands, I made the right decision."
Brownback, when asked about abortion-rights opponents who support Romney, said, "I'd say, 'Look at me first.' I'm somebody who's been consistent." He added, "I've been fighting this fight for a long time, and I believe in it, and I think it's the central social, moral issue of our day." Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.), who is considering running for the nomination, addressed the convention attendees on Thursday in a taped, three-minute speech. In his message, Thompson noted that he received NRTL's endorsement when he ran for the Senate in 1994. He added, "I've been with you ever since, and you've been with me ever since" (AP/Boston Globe, 6/15). Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), who is running for the nomination, also spoke at the convention (Kansas City Star, 6/15).
Romney Faces Questions Embryonic Stem Cell Research Position
Romney is "facing questions" on whether he has shifted his stance on expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research, the New York Times reports (Luo, New York Times, 6/15). Federal funding for human embryonic stem cell research is allowed only for research using embryonic stem cell lines created on or before Aug. 9, 2001, under a policy announced by President Bush on that date (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 6/8).
Romney in August 2004 "appeared to express support" for expanded federal funding of embryonic stem cell research, the Times reports. In addition, Romney responded to a question about his veto of a stem cell research-related measure in 2005 by saying, "The United States House of Representatives voted for a bill that was identical to what I proposed." He added, "They voted to provide for surplus embryos from in vitro fertilization processes being used for research and experimentation. That's what I said I support."
Romney in the Republican presidential debate in California last month said he would be "happy to allow" stem cell research on embryos that fertility clinics otherwise would discard. But he added, "I shouldn't say happy. It's fine for that to be allowed, to be legal. I won't use our government funds for that." Peter Flaherty -- Romney's deputy campaign manager, who was his deputy chief of staff and adviser on bioethics issues when he was governor -- said, "From the moment we sat down as an administration to formulate a policy on stem cell research, the governor has never been a proponent of expanded federal funding or state funding for embryonic stem cell research." He added that Romney is a "strong advocate for federal funding for alternative methods to get pluripotent stem cells, such as altered nuclear transfer and direct reprogramming" (New York Times, 6/15).
"Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork. You can view the entire Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork/dailyreports/healthpolicy. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation . © 2005 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.
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