tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113442282024-03-07T12:25:37.183-08:00Blogs by Womenblogsbywomenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212461375352129387noreply@blogger.comBlogger433125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-28941540044018571512007-05-22T09:07:00.001-07:002007-08-01T19:47:04.332-07:00BlogsByWomen Blog Moves to it's new home at BlogsByWomen.orgThe import of this blogger blog was a bit of a nightmare as we did it pre Wordpress 2.2 with the new Blogger import feature, so we had to import to wordpress.com then export and import to the new blog @ blogsbywomen.org.<br /><br />Such is technology.<br /><br />So, we've moved. There may be occasional posts here but all the new stuff is going to the new wordpress blog - categories... yay! Now we just have to get that theme tweaked.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0,0,255);font-size:3em;">Go to the new<br><br><a href="http://www.blogsbywomen.org/blog/" style="color: rgb(0,0,255);font-size:1em; text-decoration:underline">Blogs By Women Blog</a></span><br><br>blogsbywomenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212461375352129387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-55697481964915396402007-05-16T14:24:00.000-07:002008-03-19T12:05:23.546-07:00Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements May Help Postmenopausal Women Regulate Their WeightAccording to recent research, <a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D">vitamin D</a> and <a rel="nofollow" href="http://dietary-supplements.info.nih.gov/factsheets/calcium.asp">calcium</a> supplementation can help postmenopausal women with avoiding weight gain. The study indicates that all women will benefit from adding more vitamin D and calcium to their diets, but those that are receiving less than 1,200 mg of calcium per day will enjoy the greatest benefits. In addition, postmenopausal women should still strive to consume 1,200 mg of calcium per day through the foods they eat rather than rely solely on supplements.<br /><br />The report looked followed 36,282 postmenopausal women ranging from 50 to 79 years of age for a five year period. Some of the women were placed on a dose of 1,000 mg elemental calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D while the other women were provided with a placebo. A greater portion of the women taking the calcium and vitamin D supplements experienced a slight weight loss when compared to those on the placebo.<br /><br />Despite the findings of this report, which was published in the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://archinte.ama-assn.org/"><em>Archives of Internal Medicine</em> </a>in the May 14 issue, the role calcium plays in helping to maintain a healthy body weight is still controversial. Biologically, it appears that calcium and 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D work together to better regular lipid metabolism in the adipose cells. This is accomplished mostly by stimulating the fatty acid oxidation and by suppressing lipogenesis. Whether this is accurate or truly the reason for the connection between calcium and weight regulation, however, remains to be proven.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-80362824081445385862007-05-15T15:34:00.000-07:002008-03-19T12:05:05.686-07:00Most Women Do Not Have Adequate Life Insurance CoverageAccording to a survey put out by COUNTRY Insurance & Financial Services, 76% of women recognize that <a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_insurance">life insurance </a>is either very or somewhat important compared to 69% of their male counterparts that feel the same way. Nonetheless, only 14% of these same women reported having life insurance coverage that is equal to three years of their current income.<br /><br /><blockquote>“The good news is Americans recognize that life insurance is important. However, it is troubling that women continue to be underinsured despite their contribution to their families, whether they are breadwinners or stay at home parents. Men and women, equally, should take steps to ensure they can preserve their families’ financial security in case of unforeseen events.” – Keith Brannan, director of the financial security office at COUNTRY</blockquote><br /><br />As a country, 73% of Americans report believing that life insurance is either very or somewhat important. Yet, 30% are not insured at all. In addition, 69% of those surveyed stated that it was important for both parents to be covered by life insurance, whether both work or one stays home with the kids. Nonetheless, only 7% have coverage for both parents.<br /><br />The survey also found that certain ethnicities placed more importance on life insurance than others. African-Americans, for example, reported a higher importance than white and Hispanic groups, with 86% stating it was very or somewhat important. At the same time, African-Americans were the least likely to actually have coverage with only 13% having coverage equal to three years of their current income.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-15891420896939303312007-05-14T19:06:00.000-07:002008-03-19T12:04:48.978-07:00Women Astronauts Receive Long Awaited RecognitionThe <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.wisc.edu/">University of Wisconsin</a> finally gave 13 women the recognition they earned nearly 50 years ago. On Saturday, the university bestowed these women, known as the Mercury 13, with honorary degrees in recognition of the advancements they helped the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a> program make in the 1960s.<br /><br />The <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.mercury13.com/">Mercury 13 </a>consisted of 13 women who, along with seven men known as the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_Seven">Mercury 7</a>, underwent a series of rigorous tests. The tests were designed to determine whether or not humans could withstand the conditions they would face in space. Although these 13 women proved that women could also successfully make it in space, they did not receive the same level of attention as the men of the Mercury 7. In fact, these men became household names while the women remained virtually unknown.<br /><br />The reason for the discrepancies between the fame of the two groups is quite simple: at the time, society did not consider it a woman’s place to be in space. Despite the fact that the female trainees proved their worth, they never had the chance to go to space. <br /><br /><blockquote>“The social attitude of the time was that women should be hostesses, not pilots.” – Martha Ackmann, author.<br /></blockquote><br />Many of the tests the women of Mercury 13 endured are not even used on today’s astronaut trainees. For example, one test involved using electric shock on their forearms in order to test their <a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulnar_nerve">ulnar nerve</a>. In addition, ice water was shot into their ears in order to induce vertigo and the inner ear was frozen so doctors could time how long it took for them to recover. The women also used weighted stationary bicycles until they were completely exhausted in order to test their respiration. This is only a small sampling of what these women allowed themselves to be put through in the name of space travel.<br /><br />The ceremony at the University of Wisconsin is the first to gather all of these women and to honor them for their sacrifice. The ceremony also follows hot on the heals of a book that is now being published about these women entitled <em>The Mercury 13: The True Story of Thirteen Women and the Dream of Space Flight</em> authored by <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.marthaackmann.com/">Martha Ackmann</a>.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-82827382788066754762007-05-12T18:52:00.000-07:002008-03-19T12:04:25.815-07:00New Jersey Proposes New HIV Testing Law for Pregnant Women and NewbornsNew Jersey’s Senate president, Richard J. Codey, is proposing a new bill that is the first of its kind. Under this proposed bill. All pregnant women and their newborn children will be required to be tested for HIV. Under this new bill, women will be required to get an HIV test early in their pregnancies as well as during the third trimester. In addition, all birthing facilities would be required to test newborns that are within their care.<br /><br />Current, New Jersey law only requires offering testing to pregnant women. With the new proposal, the test would automatically be given unless the woman requests in writing that it not be.<br /><br />The inspiration behind this new bill proposal comes from a report made by the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cdc.gov/">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a>, which reports that medical treatment for the disease during pregnancy can decrease the likelihood of passing it on to a newborn dramatically.<br /><br />Currently, four states require testing mothers for HIV unless the mother specifically requests that she not be. These states are Arkansas, Michigan, Texas, and Tennessee. Two states, New York and Connecticut, require testing of newborns. No state, however, currently requires testing mothers and their children.<br /><br /><blockquote>“The key in the fight against HIV and AIDS is early detection and treatment. For newborns this can be a lifesaving measure.” - Richard J. Codey, New Jersey Senate president</blockquote><br /><br />Women’s rights groups, particularly <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.centerwomenpolicy.org/">The Center for Women Policy Studies </a>in Washington D.C., opposes the bill because it violates the woman’s right to make her own medical treatment and childbearing decisions. In New Jersey, however, which has some of the highest rates of AIDS cases in the nation, it appears to be the only answer to Codey.<br /><br />The new bill proposals will be scheduled for a hearing within a few weeks. In order to become state law, it must first pass through both the Senate and the Assembly. Then, it must be signed by the governor.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-82566147641482969842007-05-09T19:28:00.000-07:002008-03-19T12:04:07.261-07:00Women More Likely to Survive Early Stages of Breast Cancer Than Men<a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.breastcancer.org/">Breast cancer </a>is typically associated with men – and for good reason; only 1% of breast cancer cases affect men. Nonetheless, a recent study revealed that men are more likely to die from breast cancer in its early stages than women. In fact, men with small tumors that had yet to spread had a shorter survival rate than women.<br /><br />Researchers are unclear of the reason for the difference in mortality rate between men and women, though it is clear that there are biological differences between the sexes that cause this difference. The fact that breast cancer is so rare in men, however, has resulted in limited research in the area.<br /><br />Whether a man or a woman, the symptoms of breast cancer remain the same. These include:<br /><br /><ul><li>One breast that is larger than the other</li><li>Swelling in the breast</li><li>Pink or red skin</li><li>Rashes in small patches or covering the entire breast</li><li>Skin on the breast feels hot to the touch</li><li>The breast feels painful or itchy</li><li>The skin develops an orange-like texture</li><li>Unexplained nipple discharge</li><li>Thickened areas develop on the breast</li><li>Nipples appear flattened or inverted</li><li>Swollen lymph nodes on the neck or the armpit</li></ul><p>It is important for a person – man or woman – to consult with a physician if experiencing any of these symptoms. As with any form of cancer, the earlier treatment is received, the better the chances of survival.</p>skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-2675223451011836442007-05-01T20:28:00.000-07:002007-05-02T11:41:22.982-07:00BlogsByWomen Redesign Finally Takes FlightWe've been talking about a redesign for a while, something more up to date, more "web 2.0". Unfortunately, we could never find a good designer to do the job at a reasonable price, or create a design of our own that we liked. But we persevered and finally have something we could agree on.<br /><br />The new <a href="http://www.blogsbywomen.org/">Directory Of Women Bloggers</a> design went live today and contains many updates and improvements, with hooks and places for more features. We're still checking for bugs so excuse us if anything weird happens.<br /><br />The first new addition is a "featured blogs" section, right on the home page and at the top of each category that allows new and currently listed bloggers to gain increased traffic and a valuable pagerank link to their blog. Adding your already listed blog to this featured section will be available later this week - login to see more.<br /><br />Find out more about the <a href="http://www.blogsbywomen.org/benefits-of-listing/">benefits of being listed</a> in the Blogs By Women directory.blogsbywomenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212461375352129387noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-70265195705109400462007-04-30T18:57:00.000-07:002008-03-19T12:07:09.876-07:00French Women Finding a Way to Be Born Again VirginsAn increasing number of women in <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.france.com/" >France</a> are undergoing a form of surgery known as hymenoplasty. As the name suggests, this outpatient surgical procedure involves reconstructing the hymen in order to make it appear as if she is still a virgin.<br /><br />The majority of women undergoing this procedure are Muslim and are from both France and North Africa. The main draw to this procedure is that, for many of these women, religion dictates that they be virgins at the time they are married. Yet, religious doctrine does not provide a stance on whether or not this surgical procedure is considered acceptable. In fact, all that the head of the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_of_French_Islamic_Organizations">Union of French Islamic Organisations </a>will say on the matter is, “If someone committed a sin, the essential thing is to repent.”<br /><br /><blockquote>“The surgery is an attack on women’s dignity. We will not take part in a market that places value on the quality of a woman – if she’s good or not. It is an attack on women’s liberty.” - Professor Jacque Lansac, President of The National College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians in of France</blockquote><br /><br />Many women are also deciding to undergo the procedure for cultural reasons, with many coming from families that believe strongly in remaining a virgin until married. This procedure, which costs anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000, allows them to effectively become virgins again and to avoid disappointing their fiancés and their families.<br /><br />Several doctors and activists view this procedure as a slap in the face of women’s rights and liberty. In addition, there is much debate surrounding the procedure being done in state hospitals since France has laws in place that separate church and state.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-28104377251702600802007-04-29T17:18:00.000-07:002008-03-19T12:06:31.048-07:00The Gap Between Women Versus Men Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis Continues to GrowRecent research has shown that women are four times as likely as their male counterparts to develop <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_sclerosis" rel="nofollow">multiple sclerosis</a>. Researchers are baffled as to why there appears to be a gender discrepancy with the disease. Yet, over the past 60 years, the number ratio of women suffering from the disorder as compared to men has nearly doubled. <br /><br />Although MS has always been more prevalent in females than in males, the gap between the two sexes has been steadily growing. In 1940, the number of women afflicted as compared to men was two to one. In the year 2000, on the other hand, the ratio grew to four to one.<br /><br /><blockquote>"The results of this study are intriguing. MS is most frequently diagnosed in pre-menopausal women and this research reinforces questions surrounding the role of hormones in multiple sclerosis. The idea that lifestyle changes in women over the decades may play a part in multiple sclerosis is interesting, but further research is needed to explore this level of influence and its bearing on the prevalence of MS." - Chris Bentley, spokesman for <a href="http://www.mssociety.org.uk/" rel="nofollow">Multiple Sclerosis Society</a><br /></blockquote><br />Researchers hope that this information will help them to better pinpoint potential causes of the disorder. More specifically, if researchers can identify what has changed in the lifestyles of women over the past 60 decades, they may very well be able to determine what triggers the disorder. Areas that are receiving a great deal of attention include birth control methods, changes in menstruation, increasing obesity rates, having children later in life, and smoking. Researchers will also take a closer look at those things that women tend to do more frequently than men, such as using cosmetics and hair dyes that may cause vitamin D absorption to be blocked.<br /><br />Another oddity linked to the disorder is the fact that <a href="http://www.scotland.org/" rel="nofollow">Scotland</a> has proportionally more cases of MS than any other country in the world – another phenomenon that has yet to be explained.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-51024724021908318302007-04-26T17:39:00.000-07:002008-03-19T12:06:10.716-07:00Women Still Earning Less than MenA study recently released by the <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.aauw.org/">American Association of University Women </a>found that women are still earning less than their male counterparts – despite the fact that women are pursuing higher education opportunities. According to the study, women that graduated in the 1999-2000 school year were earning 80% of the wages as men graduating during that same year. This isn’t much growth when compared to those that graduated in 1992-1993 and earned 69% of what men did.<br /><br />Although this fact is discouraging, the study found that part of the reason for the discrepancy is the choices women make when choosing their majors. According to the study, women tended to select professions that pay lower wages. These career paths include working for non-profit organizations and in the education and psychology feels. On the other hand, men tend to select jobs within the business and engineering fields, both of which traditionally bring in a higher wage.<br /><br /><blockquote>“The research asked a basic but important question: If a woman made the same choices as a man, would she earn the same pay? The answer is no.” - Catherine Hill, Co-author of study</blockquote><br /><br />Despite this fact, the study still found discrepancies in the amount of money women make versus the amount men make. In fact, the study found that, when taking occupation, education, children, and hours out of the equation, women were still paid less than 5% than men one year after graduating from college. After working for ten years, they earned 12% less than men. Over the lifetime of a woman, this amounts to losing out on $500,000. – as well as earning les in social security.<br /><br />The study found that career paths in which women dominate, such as in education, the discrepancy is smaller than in other professions – though men still earn more pay. According to the researchers, there was always a discrepancy between the pay of women and men, no matter how they tried to look at the numbers. For this reason, Catherine Hill, co-author of the study, took her findings to a congressional committee.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-15109828643828213902007-04-24T21:23:00.000-07:002007-04-24T21:25:16.085-07:00Migraine Sufferers May Enjoy Better Cognitive Ability as they AgeWomen suffering from migraines may have something to be happy about. A recent study conducted by <a href="http://www.jhu.edu/">Johns Hopkins University</a> out of Baltimore has found that those women with a history of the painful headaches may actually be less likely to suffer from cognitive decline as they get older.<br /><br />According to researchers, the medication migraine sufferers use to alleviate their pain and symptoms, along with the dietary and behavioral changes they implement, might play a large role in their lack of cognitive decline. <br /><br /><blockquote>“This was a complete surprise. We found that people with migraines, specifically people with migraines with aura, which is even more counterintuitive, didn’t even decline over time at all.” - Dr. Kalaydjian, leader of research</blockquote><br /><br />The study, which followed over 1,448 women, of which 204 were migraine sufferers, involved having the women take a series of cognitive tests. The women took the tests once in 1993 and then again in 2005. The women that were suffering from migraines when taking the first test were found to be 17% sharper than the women that were free of migraines when they took the second test.<br /><br />Interestingly, the study found that women over the age of 50 showed the least amount of decline. Researchers were unable to determine exactly why this phenomenon seemed to occur. The current theory is that changes in blood vessels or other differences in brain activity may be the reason for the difference in abilities. More research is still needed in order to determine the exact connection between age-related cognitive abilities and migraines in women.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-29620855861105519462007-04-17T14:31:00.000-07:002007-04-17T14:35:43.469-07:00Desert Culture Leading to Obese WomenMany American women would feel envious of the women in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauritania">Mauritania</a>, a small desert country in northwest Africa. Here, obese women are prized for their extra pounds. In fact, women strive to become overweight so they will be viewed as beautiful by the men in their culture.<br /><br />The reversed method of thinking is spawned from the fact that the country is quite poor and often suffers from drought. As a result, food is not plentiful. By being overweight, a woman demonstrates the wealth of her family.<br /><br />The people of Mauritania hold obesity in such high regard that all of their love songs speak of heavy women. As one man put it, “A man’s goal is to marry a woman that fills his house. She needs to decorate it like an armoire or a TV set.”<br /><br />The men feel so strongly that their women should be overweight that they actually threaten to divorce their wives if they lose weight. Although American women may think this mindset would be a blessing, it has actually caused a number of problems for the women of Mauritania. <br /><br />First, there are the obvious health problems associated with being overweight. Obese women are at a higher risk of developing <a href="http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp">diabetes</a>, <a href="http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000">heart disease</a>, and other potentially fatal illnesses. In addition to these health risks, however, families are taking extreme measures to plump up their daughters.<br /><br /><blockquote>“When I was little, my mother hit me to eat because I didn't want to be fat. Now I want to be big because men like that." – A Mauritanian woman who wants to gain more than 20 pounds.</blockquote><br /><br />In Mauritania, it has been a common practice among the wealthier families to actually force feed their daughters. Once woman recalls being forced to drink 14 gallons of camel’s milk every day. If she vomited as a result, she was beaten. If she tried to refuse to drink the milk, she was tortured by having her fingers bent backward until they touched the back of her hand. The girl could no longer run by the time she was ten and, as an adult, struggles just to walk up the stairs. Yet, her mother considers her to be the epitome of beauty. <br /><br />As a result of this way of thinking, nearly a quarter of the women in Mauritania are obese, which equals about 1.5 million women. In order to put a stop to this epidemic, the Mauritanian government has started a television and radio campaign that warns the people of the health problems associated with obesity. The health ministry has even hired artists to create love songs about thin women. <br /><br />This is vastly different from the American culture, where many groups are trying to take the focus off of the “thin is beautiful” way of thinking. Ironically, the American mentality has started to help with the problem, however, as the popularity of American soaps and their thin actors have started to make some of the elite in the country change their way of thinking. According to a survey in 2001, only 10% of Mauritanian women less than 19 years old had been force fed, while a third of those 40 or over had been.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-6127618975349391442007-04-16T19:38:00.000-07:002007-04-16T19:40:19.012-07:00Women Display Risk Factors of Diabetes Before Men<a href="http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp">Diabetes</a> is certainly a serious problem that affects both genders and all races. Although the signs of diabetes typically begin to show well before the disease is actually diagnosed, a recent report reveals that the signs can be detected in women far earlier than they are detected in men.<br /><br />More specifically, there are three risk factors that tend to show up quite early in women. These include malfunction of the cells that line the inner surface of the blood vessels (called endothelial dysfunction), low levels of a hormone called adionectin, and having a higher than normal amount of breakdowns and formations of blood clots.<br /><br /><blockquote>“Because these pre-diabetic markers are not routinely assessed, and because diabetes is strongly linked with coronary heart disease, the study may help explain why the decline in death rates for heart disease in diabetic women lags behind that of diabetic men.” - Richard Donahue, Ph.D. of the University of Buffalo’s School of Public Health and Health Professions and Lead Author of the study.</blockquote><br /><br />Once these signs appear, women need to start to carefully watch their bodies for diabetes. For men, however, these signs do not appear to be a tip off that diabetes is on the way.<br /><br />The study used to conclude this information involved following 1,455 healthy subjects. When the same people that were initially studied were re-examined, it was found that the 52 women that had progressed to pre-diabetes has all of these signs when they were initially examined. The 39 men that had progressed to this stage, however, did not have these risk factors in their blood.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-1046815759776057892007-04-15T18:32:00.000-07:002007-04-15T18:35:54.394-07:00Women Increasingly Being Diagnosed with COPDA recent report released in the <a href="http://www.mja.com.au/">Medical Journal of Australia </a>has revealed that more women are dying from diseases related to smoking than ever before. Smoking is thought to be responsible for approximately 60% of the cases of <a href="http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35020">COPD</a>. As a result, the report is calling for creating more anti-cigarette campaigns that are targeted specifically toward women.<br /><br />According to a review of hospital admissions in Australia, the number of deaths and admissions for asthma have fallen. At the same time, the rates of women diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, has risen. The disease is characterized by wheezing, coughing, and breathlessness.<br /><br />In 1993 alone, 1,900 women in Australia lost their lives to the disease. This number increased to 2,300 in 2003. Men, on the other hand, had a drop during this same time period, with 4,000 losing their lives to the disease in 1993 and 3,200 in 2003. While more men are still currently affected by the disease than women, the trend is certainly disturbing for women.<br /><br />Although the study was based in Adelaide in Australia, researchers state that the data represents international trends. People that go undiagnosed with the disease have also been found to have a poorer quality of life than those that have been diagnosed and are receiving treatment.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-3362797413563203472007-04-13T22:00:00.000-07:002007-04-13T22:03:08.093-07:00Imus Controversy May Be a Catalyst for ChangeThe controversy surrounding the comments and subsequent firing of shock jock <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Imus">Don Imus </a>has been grabbing all of the headlines as of late. Initially, it seemed the controversy was primarily focused on whether or not the comments were racially charged. More recently, however, the focus has been placed more on how Imus’ comments are a reflection of society’s poor perception of women.<br /><br />As a result of the controversy surrounding Imus’ comments, many groups and leaders have been mobilized and have found that their cause of fighting for women’s rights has suddenly gained more attention. More specifically, those fighting against what has been referred to as gangsta rap are taking advantage of the situation in order to get their message heard.<br /><br />Upon his firing, Imus claimed that the lyrics in rap songs have called black women “worse names than I ever did.” Many agree with Imus’ statement, including the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Sharpton">Reverend Al Sharpton</a>, who has now made it one of his personal goals to help uplift the status of women.<br /><br /><br /><blockquote>“We will not stop until we make it clear that no one should denigrate women. We must deal with the fact that ho and the b-word are words that are wrong from anybody’s lips.” </blockquote><br />Defenders of rap music, however, maintain that the music is a poetic expression that tells a story of the lives of the rap artist. They go on to say that the music should not be criticized. Rather, the critics should work to improve the lives of those growing up in the same hopeless and violent lifestyle as many gangsta rappers had to endure.<br /><br />Rappers themselves defend their music, claiming there is a difference between the women they talk about in their songs versus educated women. According to rapper <a href="http://www.snoopdogg.com">Snoop Dogg</a>, “(Rappers) are not talking about no collegiate basketball girls who have made it to the next level in education and sports. We’re talking about hos that’s in the ‘hood that ain’t doing – that’s trying to get a n- for his money.”<br /><br />Whether music is to blame or not, what remains true is that women still are not viewed equally by many members of society. As a result, many people – both male and female –are working collectively to bring about a change.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-65875533677626721942007-04-10T21:05:00.000-07:002007-04-10T21:06:30.819-07:00Exercise May Prove to Help Relieve Menopause SymptomsAccording to a study conducted by <a href="http://www.psu.edu/">Penn State University</a>, exercise can go a long way in helping women to fend off the symptoms associated with menopause. The study found that those women that were engaged in a routine exercise program self-reported having a better quality of life compared to those that did not exercise.<br /><br />The study focused on 164 volunteers, all of whom were mostly sedentary prior to the study. The women were then divided into three groups. One of these groups met three times each week in order to walk together for an hour. Another group gathered in order to perform 90 minute yoga sessions. The final group did not exercise at all.<br /><br />The study found that the women who exercised enjoyed an improved outlook and mood. When it came to hot flashes and night sweats, however, the results were mixed. Half of the women in the study reported an improvement in these areas, with most of them being women participating in the exercise groups. Those participating in the walking group, which is aerobic exercise, enjoyed greater benefits than those in the non-aerobic yoga group.<br /><br /><blockquote>“It’s a nice reaffirmation that exercise is beneficial for lots of different things.” – Dr. Charles Castle, Lancaster gynecologist and member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society board of trustees</blockquote><br /><br />The study is not conclusive, however, as it did not account for the various stages of menopause. As such, it is possible that some of the women’s symptoms may have lessened on their own. The study was also unable to determine if the exercise actually decreased the symptoms or if women were simply in better moods after exercising. <br /><br />With menopause affecting approximately 1.5 million women between the ages of 45 and 55 in the United States per year, any steps that can help improve the symptoms is sure to be well received.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-87783666065521886122007-04-08T18:18:00.000-07:002007-04-08T18:21:26.685-07:00Heart Disease the Number One Killer of WomenA recent study performed by the <a href="http://www.nih.gov/">National Institutes of Health </a>has confirmed what has been suspected for a few months now: heart disease is officially the number one killer of women in the United States.<br /><br />According to the study, heart disease is now responsible for more deaths than even cancer. In fact, two in every five deaths of women in the United States is related to either heart disease or to stroke.<br /><br />Traditionally, heart disease was thought of as a disease affecting more men than women. Due to this misconception, women have often ignored this potential danger. As a result, the <a href="http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200000">American Heart Association</a> is working heard to educate American women in regards to steps they can take to reduce their chances of suffering from heart disease.<br /><br />There are a number of symptoms that women should watch for, all of which can be signs of a problem with the heart. These include: shortness of breath without chest pain, suddenly feeling exhausted despite a lack of activity, and pain the lower chest that is often mistaken for stomach problems.<br /><br /><blockquote>“If you look at statistics of women who’ve died suddenly of heart attack, two-thirds died before they could reach the hospital.” - Dr. Nieca Goldberg, cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at New Your University and Medical Director of the Women’s Heart Program</blockquote><br /><br />All of these symptoms tend to be subtle in women. In addition, they can easily be mistaken for other problems that are not associated with the heart. As a result, women fail to realize the danger they are in. For this reason, many of the women that die from heart disease actually die before ever reaching the hospital.<br /><br />In order to reduce the risk of heart disease, women need to refrain from smoking and drinking. In addition, they should watch their diets and avoid overeating. Integrating exercise into her daily routine will also reduce the chances of developing this fatal disease.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-25766113716525694792007-04-07T08:44:00.000-07:002007-04-07T08:49:56.949-07:00Many Women Pay More For Health Coverage Than MenAccording to a recent study conduct by <a href="http://www.hms.harvard.edu/">Harvard Medical School </a>researchers, women pay more as a result of high-deductible health insurance plans than men do. As a result, when employers change their health coverage to those with high-deductibles, women are effectively taking a pay $1,000 pay cut per year.<br /><br />The Harvard study examined the expenses for men and women below the age of 45 and found that men spend less than $500 per year on medical deductibles. Conversely, women spend more than $1,200. The study also found that only a third of men insured by a high-deductible plan spend over $1,050 per year in medical costs. When it comes to women, however, 55% are paying more than this cost.<br /><br /><blockquote>“High-deductible plans punish women for having breasts and uteruses and having babies. When an employer switches all his employees into a consumer-driven health plan, it's the same as giving all the women a $1,000 pay cut, on average, because women on average have $1,000 more in health costs than men” - Steffie Woolhandler, lead author of the study<br /></blockquote><br />The reason for women spending more on medical deductibles was directly related to the fact that women have a number of routine examinations that are necessary simply because they are women. These examinations include <a href="http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=mammo&bhcp=1">mammograms</a>, <a href="http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pap.htm">Pap tests</a>, <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cervical-cancer-vaccine/WO00120">cervical cancer vaccinations</a>, <a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/birthcontrol.html">birth control</a>, and costs related to pregnancy.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-1781921930749091862007-04-05T22:37:00.000-07:002007-04-05T22:41:15.456-07:00Exercise Can Reduce Arthritis Pain In Elderly WomenArthritis is an unfortunate side effect of aging for many women. As a result, they experience achy and stiff joints that can make movement seem impossible. According to a new Australian study, however, exercise and movement can actually help reduce the pain associated with arthritis in women.<br /><br />According to the lead author of the study, Kristiann Heesch from the <a href="http://www.uq.edu.au/">University of Queensland </a>in Australia, it isn’t necessarily to start maniacally exercising in order to reduce arthritis-related pain. Rather, a bit of simple walking or engaging in moderate activities can be highly beneficial.<br /><br /><blockquote>"If we could put out a pill that would solve a lot of problems, it would be physical activity, but we can‘t wrap it up into a little pill and give it to people” - Kristiann Heesch from the University of Queensland in Australia</blockquote><br /><br />The study indicates that getting exercise for just 75 minutes per day for women in their 70s can lead to significantly less symptoms. Those that were active for at least 2 ½ hours per week experienced even less difficulties and continued to experience less pain for three years afterward. The study also showed that the strongest link between exercise and arthritis was a reduction in lower joint pain. The reasons for this connection, however, are not quite clear.<br /><br />Although exercise was beneficial in combating arthritis pain in older women, the study found that middle-aged women did not receive the same benefits.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-1419289695203888522007-04-04T21:42:00.000-07:002007-04-04T21:56:35.719-07:00New Guidelines for Mammography Screenings Released<a href="http://www.acponline.org/">The American College of Physicians </a>has just released new guidelines for women between the ages of 40 and 49 when it comes to mammography screenings. According to the new guidelines, women need to take more factors under consideration when deciding whether or not to have a mammography than just their age.<br /><br />This new way of looking at a woman’s risk for breast cancer was initiated by the fact that the risk of breast cancer is not evenly distributed when it comes to women in this age group. Therefore, not all women need to have a mammography at this age. In fact, there are some potential issues with having a mammography at this age, as false-positive results are possible. In addition, there is the risk involved with unnecessary radiation exposure.<br /><br /><blockquote>“It is important to tailor the decision of screening mammography by discussing the benefits and risks with a woman, addressing her concerns, and making it a joint decision between her and her physician.” – Amir Qaseem, MD, PHD, DHA and lead author of the study</blockquote><br /><br />According to the new guidelines, clinicians should periodically perform an assessment for each of their patients in order to determine their risks for breast cancer. The clinicians should then inform women in this age group about the benefits as well as the risks involved with a screening. The final decision as to whether a screening is necessary needs to be based on whether or not the benefits outweigh the potential risks. <br /><br />If the clinician and the patient decide a screening is not necessary at the time, the issue should be addressed again every one to two years. These new guidelines represent The American College of Physicians’ stance that women should be encouraged to make more informed decisions about their bodies.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-16217597286595304292007-03-29T22:02:00.000-07:002007-03-29T22:06:11.384-07:00Women Techie Being Threatened OnlineA recent controversy surrounding a female blogger has brought to light the extremes of cyberbulling as well as the lack of respect women continue to have within the technology field.<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathy_Sierra">Kathy Sierra</a>, who is a game developer and programming instructor, has been maintaining a blog for quite some time now. Within her <a href="http://headrush.typepad.com/">blog</a>, she has provided inspiration, advice, guidance, and information to her fellow techies. As of late, however, she has started to receive a number of death threats and other violent threats.<br /><br />Some of the threats Sierra has received have included graphic images of her being suffocated/silenced or of her next to a noose. Many of the threats have been sexual in nature as well.<br /><br /><blockquote>“If you want to do something about it – do not tolerate the kind of abuse that includes threats or even suggestions of violence (especially sexual violence). Do not put these people on a pedestal. Do not let them get away with calling this “social commentary”, “protected speech”, or simply “criticism”. I would never be for censoring speech – these people can say all the misogynistic, vile, tasteless things they like – but we must preserve that line where words and images become threats of violence. Freedom of speech – however distasteful and rude the speech may be, is crucial. But when those words contain threats of harm or death, they can destroy a life.” - Kathy Sierra, written on her blog in response to recent threats</blockquote><br />As can be expected, Sierra now fears leaving her house out of concern for her safety. She has also cancelled her upcoming speaking arrangements and has even decided to discontinue her blog. <br /><br />The reasons behind the death threats Sierra is receiving are unclear, though most of the threats make reference to the fact that she is female and that these cretins wish her to be silenced. While Sierra is a supporter of free speech, it is clear that these death threats go beyond maintaining one person’s rights as they infringe upon another person’s right to live her life in safety.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-49461261406956319402007-03-29T21:36:00.000-07:002007-03-29T21:38:57.541-07:00Research Indicates Magazine Ads Make Women Feel Bad About ThemselvesA recent study revealed what women and psychology experts have long suspected: ads containing beautiful and flawless women makes women feel bad about themselves. According to the study, even the most attractive of women find themselves feeling bad about their appearance when looking at these ads. <br /><br />The study involved surveying 81 college women and asking them to rate their opinion about their own appearance. The questions ranged from asking their opinions on their facial features to their chest size.<br /><br />After rating themselves, some of the women were asked to look at magazine ads containing fashion models. The other women were asked to look at ads without women. The women were then surveyed again and those that saw the ads with the fashion models reported a lower body image.<br /><br />The survey also found that even attractive women experienced a negative self body image after viewing the fashion models. This effectively dispelled the myth that larger sized women or those struggling with eating disorders are the only ones negatively impacted by images of fashion models. <br /><br /><blockquote>“Most women know intuitively or subconsciously that when they look at magazines they’ll feel badly about themselves.” – Laurie Mintz, associate professor of education, school and counseling psychology in the <a href="http://educate.missouri.edu/">MU College of Education</a></blockquote>The researchers involved with this study believe that even attractive women take a blow to self-esteem when seeing these ads because they are afraid of losing their attractive qualities. They also believe women still continue to look at these magazines and ads simply because they are looking for a way to be as beautiful as the women they see in the magazines. Even though women know these images are not realistic, they still hope to achieve this same unrealistic standard of beauty.<br /><br />It is for this very reason that many marketing campaigns focus on making women feel as if they can avoid weight gain, signs of aging, and other “unattractive” qualities by purchasing and using their products. In essence, the ads strive to make women feel bad about themselves in an effort to get them to purchase their products.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-74584155786020720822007-03-26T23:28:00.000-07:002007-03-26T23:29:38.688-07:00Study Shows Aspirin May Help Prevent Death in WomenAccording to a recent study, women that consume low to moderate amounts of aspirin on a regular basis can severely reduce their risks of death. Deaths related to heart disease are particularly affected by taking aspiring.<br /><br />The research study was performed by the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School. In all, 79,439 women were followed every two years from 1980 through to 2004. The study simply asked women if they were consuming aspirin on a regular basis and how many tablets they typically used per week. <br /><br />The women selected for the study had no history or sign of cancer or cardiovascular disease when the study began. The study found that 45,305 women did not use aspirin, while 29,132 took low to moderate dosages and 5,002 took more than 14 aspirins per week.<br /><br />By the end of the study, 9,477 of the women had passed away. 1,991 of these women died from heart disease and 4,469 died from cancer. The study found that the women reporting aspirin use had a 25% lower risk of death when compared to those that never used aspirin.<br /><br />The study found a stronger correlation between using aspirin and a reduction in cardiovascular disease. In fact, those that used aspirin on a regular basis demonstrated a 38% lower risk. They also had a lower risk for cancer, with a 12% lower risk. <br /><br /><blockquote>“Use of aspirin for one to five years was associated with significant reductions in cardiovascular mortality.” - Study published by the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Harvard Medical School</blockquote>The exact link between aspirin and the reduction in death is not fully understood, though researchers believe aspirin has a positive effect on pathogenic pathways including insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and cyclo-oxygenase enzyme activity.<br /><br />Whether or not women should take aspirin was not determined through this research because the women were not prescribed regular dosages of aspirin versus placebo medication. Nonetheless, the study indicates that further research into the effects of aspirin is warranted.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-71731211324059781062007-03-22T18:34:00.000-07:002007-03-22T18:35:38.472-07:00South Carolina Requiring Women to See Images of Their Fetuses Before Having an AbortionThe South Carolina legislature passed a measure today that would force women planning on getting an abortion to see the ultrasound image of the fetus before the abortion may be performed. Although the measure has passed through the legislature, it must pass through one more time before it can officially become a law in the state.<br /><br />According to lawmakers in South Carolina, the purpose of the law is to make women “think twice” before going through with an abortion. Some lawmakers, however, are not too happy with the law because they do not approve of making women do something they do not want to do. In addition, some have expressed concern that an amendment has not been added to the law that will make an exception for women that are victims of rape or incest.<br /><br />Lawmakers in support of the law contend that the fetus has a right to life regardless of the way it is conceived. They further argue that women looking to have an abortion performed will simply claim to have been raped or to be the victim of incest in order to avoid having to see the fetus. <br /><br />Despite the fact that more women fail to report a rape than make up one that never happened, the majority of South Carolina lawmakers are against adding an amendment to the bill. In fact, a proposal to grant an exception to this rule for rape victims for whom a judge has determined probably cause or has issued a warrant did not pass among the lawmakers.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11344228.post-28260026856612910722007-03-20T21:33:00.000-07:002007-03-20T21:34:12.108-07:00Eating Junk Food Increases Chances of Developing CancerAccording to recent studies, junk food may be worse for women than was once thought. Of course, the risk for heart disease, weight gain, and other similar illnesses have long been understood. What was not understood, however, was the fact that it is also linked to an increased chance of developing cancer.<br /><br />One major European study recently revealed that women with higher levels of blood sugar are also significantly more likely to develop cancer of the skin, pancreas, urinary tract, and the womb. In another study, it was found that older women with high-fat diets were 15% more likely to develop breast cancer. Diets consisting of 40% fat or more put women at the highest risk category.<br /><br /><blockquote>“The results of this research are concerning. However, the good news is that it is possible to reduce our blood sugar levels by eating a healthy balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and maintaining a healthy weight.” – Dr. Greg Martin, Science and Research Manager for the World Cancer Research Fund<br /></blockquote>The link between high blood sugar levels and diabetes has also been long understood, but the connection with cancer remains a mystery yet to be solved. What is known, however, is that women with this form of diabetes are also more likely to develop cancer. In fact, the studies found that the 25% of women with the highest blood sugar readings were 26% more likely to develop cancer than the women on the opposite end of the spectrum.<br /><br />The research has found that approximately 40% of cancer cases could be prevented if women made an effort to follow a healthy lifestyle. <br /><br />This study, which took place over 13 years, followed nearly 65,000 adults. Though the study found a link between junk food and cancer in women, there was no link between junk food and men.skietzmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17044254262969915504noreply@blogger.com0