Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

NICHD has been leading research to understand human development, enhance the lives of children and adolescents, improve reproductive health, and optimize abilities for all since 1962. Institute research has resulted in many health advances, such as the technology for the first home pregnancy test, the discovery of the genetic cause of Fragile X syndrome, and FDA approval of the first treatment for endometriosis-related pain. Check out key milestones from 60 years of NICHD research. #nichd60 #NICHD #HumanDevelopment #research

🌟 Exciting news in #WomensHealth research! The Office of Research on Women’s Health has collaborated with the The National Institutes of Health institutes, centers, and offices; federal and community partners; and the public to develop a strategic plan aimed at understanding and addressing the diverse factors that influence women’s health. From basic to translational research, this plan underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in improving healthcare outcomes for women. Join ORWH in advancing women’s health research for all. https://bit.ly/3Wus5TR

The National Institutes of Health announced its interest in projects to accelerate prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions that affect women uniquely, more often, or differently—all part of The White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. Check out this Notice of Special Interest and plan your project today! https://go.nih.gov/n4K3g9P #gynecology #endometriosis #PelvicFloorDisorders #fibroids #infertility #PCOS #contraception #menstruation #BoneHealth #disabilities #violence

An NICHD-funded study found that Black women are five times more likely than White women to die of postpartum cardiomyopathy—a disease of the heart muscle—or the blood pressure disorders preeclampsia and eclampsia. NIH’s IMPROVE initiative continues work to reduce preventable pregnancy-related deaths and complications and to promote health equity. NICHD Director Dr. Diana W. Bianchi, NIH Office of Research on Women's Health Director Dr. Janine A. Clayton, and National Institute of Nursing Research Director Dr. Shannon R. Zenk discuss the initiative in this Director’s Corner blog. https://go.nih.gov/skYmfHu #NIH_IMPROVE #WomensHealthWeek #WomensHealthMonth #BlackMaternalHealth #MaternalHealthNICHD #preeclampsia #eclampsia

NICHD conducts and supports research to identify the causes of infertility and to develop treatments that may allow more people to achieve pregnancy and have healthy families. Learn about recent infertility research advances: https://go.nih.gov/XgZryxP #WomensHealthNICHD #WomensHealthWeek

Stigma and societal normalization of women’s pain are major barriers to care for endometriosis and other painful gynecological conditions. Although endometriosis symptoms and severity can vary widely, the disease affects an estimated 10% of women and is a major cause of pain and infertility. Gaining insights into the potential causes and mechanisms of endometriosis is critical to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. NICHD-funded research has helped make progress in these key areas to help women living with endometriosis now and in the future. #WomensHealth #WomensHealthWeek #endometriosis https://go.nih.gov/n4nLsM7

Imagine…science driving the development of food systems that not only feed people, but also keep people and the planet healthy! Learn more about how our food choices may, even unknowingly, affect our health outcomes and those of the planet by checking out my new May Drew’s Views blog. In Connecting the Dots, from the National Institutes of Health, Office of Nutrition Research, I talk about how we can change food systems to improve health for people and the planet. #Nutrition is everyone’s business!   Read the blog post here: https://lnkd.in/ergpCKsP #nutritionresearch #research #sustainability #prevention #wearenih #foodsystems #nutritionecology #health #ONR #Globalnutrition #Climatechange #climate #communityhealth #environment #climateaction #foodinsecurity #nutritionsecurity #nutritionequity #foodasmedicine #foodismedicine

Depression from six weeks of gestation through the end of pregnancy may increase the risk of heart and blood vessel disease up to two years after birth, suggests an analysis funded by NICHD. The study was conducted by Katherine Ahrens, Ph.D., of the University of Southern Maine, and colleagues. Learn more at https://go.nih.gov/L619e3T. #NICHDimpact #MaternalHealthNICHD

So many of our followers are doing great work to advance #WomensHealth! Let’s make connections and share our experiences. Comment below with (1) your role or area of focus and (2) what you think are some of the greatest opportunities within women’s health research. #WomensHealthMonth #WomensHealthWeek #WomensHealthNICHD

Clinical trials often don’t include patient perspectives in evaluating adverse events. In this NICHD-funded study on pelvic organ prolapse surgery, researchers found that patients and clinicians often rate the severity of complications differently, and this discord can impact how doctors counsel patients and evaluate surgical outcomes. If you are involved in clinical trials, read the study to learn how the researchers planned their supplemental study on patient perspectives as part of a larger clinical trial: https://go.nih.gov/W8EcU57. #WomensHealthWeek #WomensHealthNICHD