Women's Health E-Update January 2023

Message from the Associate Commissioner

Dear Women’s Health Colleagues,

As you make your new year resolutions, we encourage you to prioritize your health and schedule annual medical check-ups and health screenings. This month is Cervical Health Awareness Month and serves as an important reminder that you can lower your cervical cancer risk with regular screenings. The HPV (human papillomavirus) and Pap tests are screening tests that can help prevent cervical cancer or detect it early. We encourage you to learn more about HPV and talk to your health care provider about screening options.

In 2023, we look forward to continuing our critical work to promote and conduct women’s health research initiatives, disseminate free FDA health education materials through our outreach activities and collaborative partnerships to advance the health of women.

From all of us at the FDA Office of Women’s Health, we wish you a happy and healthy New Year!

Sincerely,

Kaveeta P. Vasisht, M.D., Pharm.D.

CORONAVIRUS UPDATES

Below are links to specific COVID-19 topics with a full list of the latest COVID-19 information from the FDA here.

• FDA Releases Important Information About Risk of COVID-19 Due to Certain Variants Not Neutralized by Evusheld
• Update: SARS-CoV-2 Viral Mutations: Impact on COVID-19 Tests
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA to Hold Advisory Committee Meeting to Discuss Future Vaccination Regimens Addressing COVID-19

January is National Birth Defects Awareness Month. Did you know getting enough folic acid is important for women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant? Folic acid helps your body build new cells and may help prevent some birth defects. Learn more about what you should know about Folate and Folic Acid on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels. Check out the FDA Pregnancy webpage for resources to help expectant mothers make informed decisions about their health and the health of their babies. Understand how pregnancy registries can help improve safety information for pregnant women.

• Hearing Aids and Personal Sound Amplification Products: What to Know
• FDA Approves Drug Combination Treatment for Adults with Asthma
• FDA Releases New Ads, including First Focused on Mental Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking among Youth
• Allergic to Sesame? New in 2023: Food Labels Must List Sesame as an Allergen
• FDA Grants Accelerated Approval for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment
• Older Therapies Aren’t Necessarily Better for Thyroid Hormone Replacement
• Plan B One-Step (1.5 mg levonorgestrel) Information
• FDA Approves New HIV Drug for Adults with Limited Treatment Options
• Some Imported Dietary Supplements and Nonprescription Drug Products May Harm You

Pregnancy exposure registries are studies that collect health information on exposure to medical products such as drugs and vaccines during pregnancy.  Learn more about pregnancy registries today!

• FDA to Hold Advisory Committee Meeting to Discuss Future Vaccination Regimens Addressing COVID-19, January 26, 2023
• FDA’s Labeling Resources for Human Prescription Drugs, January 26,2023
• OTAT Town Hall: Clinical Development of Gene Therapy Products for Rare Diseases, February 7, 2023
• Public Meeting: FDA Rare Disease Day 2023, February 27, 2023.This year’s theme is “Intersections with Rare Diseases – A patient focused event” which will explore a range of topics related to rare diseases.

Visit FDA Meetings, Conferences and Workshops to find out about available meetings.