What we lose when we approve unproven drugs
From approval to withdrawal, the story of Makena shows some of the major pitfalls of the FDA's drug approval process. More
Why are first time C-sections on the rise?
Concern about rising rates of cesarean deliveries has been renewed after the CDC released their latest data. More
Implications for racial inequities in maternal health if Roe v Wade is lost
A Supreme Court draft decision was leaked recently that indicates that Roe v. Wade is to be overturned sometime this month. It is well established that racial inequities plague maternal health, killing Black women at three times the rate of white women. How is the impending reversal of Roe v. Wade going to impact maternal health across the nation? More
Black mothers matter. How can we better protect their lives?
The United States has the worst maternal mortality rate amongst high-income nations - and it’s getting worse. More
Taking action on maternal health
The White House recently announced their first Maternal Health Day of Action. We take a look at what's in the plan, what's promising, and what's missing... More
Reducing overuse of c-sections and cervical cancer screening
Overuse is ubiquitous across medical specialties, and obstetrics and gynecology are no exceptions. Two recent studies shine a light on the problem of overuse in women's health. More
Closing the maternal mortality gap
What makes the US so different from other wealthy countries when it comes to maternal health? More
VIDEO: Hysterectomy overuse in US hospitals
In this latest edition of “Lown Hospitals Q&A,” Shannon Brownlee and Vikas Saini talk about the prevalence and harm of hysterectomy overuse, and what the Lown Index shows about hysterectomies in US hospitals. More
How hospitals can reduce maternal mortality–even in a pandemic
In recent years, extreme disparities in maternal mortality in the US have been brought to light. Could new hospital policies in the pandemic make these disparities worse? More
No evidence for common bladder pain treatments, patient advocates find
Doctors are increasingly recognizing that bladder pain and urgency is often a symptom of a larger problem with many potential causes. But has this recognition translated into change of practice? More
One in ten children receive low-value care, new study shows
Pediatric professional groups have known for years that certain tests and procedures are unnecessary and potentially harmful. Yet one in ten children receive low-value care, according to a recent study. More
Media misleads on MRI screening for breast cancer
Media coverage of a recent study is generating hype about supplemental screening for cancer for women with dense breasts. More
Doctors speak out on conflicts of interest in obstetrics
With help from a network of industry-independent experts, doctors are speaking out against conflicts of interest in maternal safety recommendations More
How conflicts of interest put new mothers at risk
How undisclosed conflicts of interest may have put millions of pregnant and postpartum women at risk... More
Misrepresenting midwifery: CBS story distorts picture of maternity care
A recent CBS "Whistleblower" segment misses the big picture on midwives and maternity care. More