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New Mammogram Guidelines Are Causing Confusion, But Here’s Why They Make Sense

New government guidelines recommending that women start screening for breast cancer at age 50 instead of 40 set off a round of criticism this week and caused much confusion for women who for years have been told that early detection saves lives. But a number of women's health organizations, including Our ...

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CDC Officially Reverses HPV Vaccine Requirement for Immigrant Women

Last week, the CDC issued revised vaccination criteria for U.S. immigration which will reverse the requirement that female immigrants seeking permanent residence or entry to the U.S. be immunized against HPV. The new criteria require that any mandated vaccine must be age-appropriate for the immigrant applicant, and must either protect against ...

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Judy Norsigian Featured on “Liberadio(!)”

OBOS co-founder and executive director Judy Norsigian has been in Nashville, TN, for the weekend, and this morning she was a guest on Liberadio(!), Mary Mancini and Freddie O'Connell's local political radio show. Topics covered include the history of the organization and the need for its work (including the landmark book ...

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Searching for Credible Health Information Online?: Ask Rachel

In our second self-referential moment of the week, I wanted to point to several posts by OBOS blogger Rachel Walden that are featured in this month's MedLib’s Round, a monthly blog carnival that highlights some of the best writing on medical librarianship. From the carnival intro: A 2008 study by the Center ...

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If the Shoe Commercial Doesn’t Fit, Don’t Buy It: Reebok Ads High on Objectification, Low on Value

by Meg Young Our Bodies Ourselves intern Reebok recently launched a new ad campaign for its women’s “Easy Tone” sneakers that is definitely not focused on feet. The shoe's selling point is that the sole is supposedly constructed in such a way that it works the wearer’s hamstrings, calves and glutes ...

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Breast Cancer Survivors May Experience Ongoing Pain After Surgery

The current issue of JAMA has an article and editorial on the chronic pain experienced by some women following breast cancer surgery. This is not a topic I've personally read or heard much, so I was interested and surprised to read the editorial's opening statement that "Chronic pain after breast ...

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Our Bodies Ourselves Guest Stars on “Gossip Girl”

We've heard from several readers who caught a glimpse of "Our Bodies, Ourselves" on a recent episode of "Gossip Girl." (No, not that episode.) We tried to embed the scene, but permissions just won't let it happen. Fortunately Television Without Pity has the full (really full) re-cap, including the dialogue referencing OBOS. ...

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Scott Roeder Confesses, Says Killing Dr. George Tiller was Justified

Scott Roeder, the man accused of shooting abortion provider George Tiller, confessed to the killing today and said that he plans to argue at his trial that his actions were justified. Roeder, 51, talked to an AP reporter for more than 30 minutes by telephone. He has been charged with one ...

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Public Comment Period Open on Virginia Midwives Regulation

A public comment period is currently underway regarding a proposed regulation [PDF] in Virginia that would require the state's Certified Professional Midwives to: disclose to their patients, when appropriate, options for consultation and referral to a physician and evidence-based information on health risks associated with birth of a child outside of ...

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House Health Care Reform Bill Passes: 220-215

The passage is bittersweet, but finally it's done ... With 6:51 time remaining to vote, Democrats have secured the 218 "yea" votes needed to pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act (HR 3962). Final tally 220-215; 39 Democrats voted "no." One Republican -- Rep. Joseph Cao, who represents the New ...

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