Oral health is KEY to overall health and the well-being of pregnant women and their babies. It is also a time when women are particularly vulnerable to poor oral health outcomes. It has long been known that hormonal changes commonly are associated with gingivitis (Löe, 1965). If left untreated, gingivitis may progress to periodontitis, which […]
preconception
Who Makes the Decision
Mother’s Day gives us the chance to reflect on our mother, the women who have been our mentors, and the mothers around us. Motherhood is a messy, crazy, amazing, life-altering, life-long journey. It is not for the faint hearted! Before my first child was born I couldn’t have imagined that within seconds of holding her […]
The Benefits of Planning for Your Reproductive Future
During my teenage years, my girlfriends always provided good advice. From who to date and what outfit to wear to school, to what colleges to apply to and how to bargain shop. They did not have a say, however, in my figuring out when to have children. Planning for my reproductive future was always a […]
Reflections from the Black Women’s Health Conference
On June 13, 2014, I had the opportunity to attend Tulane University’s 2nd Biennial Black Women’s Health Conference (BWH) in New Orleans, Louisiana, representing the Every Woman Southeast Coalition (EWSE), and connecting with one of our coalition members in Louisiana. The full conference agenda can be accessed here and click here to view the recorded […]
Do You Know Your Status? – STIs impact on Women’s Health
Sexually transmitted infections and diseases remain a major public health challenge, especially among women in the southern United States. Young women between the ages of 19 and 24 bear the brunt of these infections, and though many are asymptomatic, the sexual health effects of these can range from physical discomfort to infertility, ectopic pregnancy, Pelvic […]
Show Your Love: Thoughts from a Recent MCH Grad on Preconception Health
By Sarah Leff, MPH, Program Associate at the UNC Center for Maternal and Infant HealthIn May of last year, I graduated from the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health with my MPH in Maternal and Child Health (MCH). I have been working at the UNC Center for Maternal and Infant Health, first as an […]