Women's Journal — Health, Beauty, Fitness & Lifestyle
Women’s Health Research Links Estrogen Therapy to Alzheimer’s Markers
A Stanford-led study published in Neurology found lower odds of Alzheimer’s-related brain pathology among women who received estrogen-only hormone therapy. The research involved more than 5,000 women with previous hysterectomies and adds new evidence to research examining hormone therapy, menopause and long-term brain health. Key Takeaways Stanford researchers studied more than 5,000 women with previous hysterectomies. Women who received estrogen-only therapy had lower odds of Alzheimer’s-related brain pathology at autopsy. The study examined amyloid plaques and other brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers cautioned that the observational findings do not establish that estrogen therapy prevents Alzheimer’s disease. The study population and treatment details limit how broadly the findings can be applied. The findings add to women’s health research examining the relationship between hormone therapy and long-term brain health. The study is focused on physical evidence of Alzheimer’s-related pathology rather than treating a lower level of brain pathology as proof that dementia was prevented. The research examined brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, including amyloid plaques. These changes are among the biological markers used in research into the disease. The distinction between brain pathology and disease prevention is central to interpreting the findings. The reported association indicates that estrogen-only therapy
Women’s Wellness In Extreme Heat: Why Heatwaves Hit Harder Now
Heatwaves have moved from occasional weather disruption to a daily wellness concern for many women in the U.S. Public health guidance now points to pregnancy, medication use, work conditions, hydration, air quality, and home cooling as practical factors that can change how heat affects the body. Key Takeaways Heatwaves can affect women through pregnancy, chronic conditions, medication use, work duties, caregiving, and limited access to cooling. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says pregnancy can make a person more likely to experience heat illness sooner. The National Weather Service describes extreme heat and humidity as a major weather-related hazard that causes hundreds of deaths each year in the U.S. Medication storage, hydration, indoor temperature, and local HeatRisk alerts may need attention before symptoms appear. Early symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, weakness, headache, heavy sweating, and muscle cramping should not be ignored during extreme heat. Heatwaves can affect a woman’s day before she steps outside. A warm bedroom, a hot car, a crowded commute, an overheated workplace, and a home that stays hot after sunset can all add stress to the body over several hours. The concern is not limited to people exercising outdoors. Public health agencies warn that hot
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Report Shows Women Bore the U.S. Labor Force Decline
Women accounted for the full July decline among U.S. adults age 20 and older in the labor force, according to a National Women’s Law Center analysis of federal data. The shift coincided with a 23,000 decline in payroll employment and lower overall participation, drawing attention to women’s position in a slowing labor market. Key Takeaways About 165,000 women age 20 and older left the labor force in July, while the number of men in the same age group was unchanged. The overall U.S. civilian labor force declined by 264,000 from June to July. U.S. nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 23,000 in July, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.1 percent. Women lost about 32,000 payroll jobs during the month, according to the National Women’s Law Center analysis. The labor force participation rate stood at 61.4 percent in July, down 0.7 percentage point from January. The labor force decline in July was concentrated among women when looking at adults age 20 and older. Seasonally adjusted Bureau of Labor Statistics data show that the number of women age 20 and older in the labor force fell from 77.448 million in June to 77.283 million in July. That represents a decrease of
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