FDA women’s health newsletter – March 2024: Celebrating Women’s History Month

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Message from the Associate Commissioner

Dear Women’s Health Colleagues,

Women’s History Month is celebrated every year in March as a time to honor the many contributions made by women throughout American History. It is a time of reflection and celebration of history makers both past and present. This year, FDA’s Office of Women’s Health (OWH) is celebrating its 30th anniversary. We are proud of our three decades of service protecting and promoting the health of women through policy, science, education, and outreach.

Throughout our 30-year history, OWH has promoted initiatives, conducted research and sponsored educational trainings. These programs have helped facilitate FDA regulatory decision-making and advance the understanding of sex differences and health conditions unique to women.

This Women’s History Month, I invite you to learn more about OWH and our work by visiting our Women’s History Month webpage. As always, we have free women's health resources and publications available in English and in multiple languages for you to use and share with your communities and patients during Women’s History Month and all year long www.fda.gov/womens.

Sincerely,

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

Associate Commissioner for Women’s Health
Director, Office of Women’s Health (OWH)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Every year, thousands of women are infected with HIV which is spread through body fluids like blood, semen, or breast milk.

Each March local, state, federal, and national organizations across our nation observe National Women & Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on March 10. This year’s theme is Prevention and Testing at Every Age. Care and Treatment at Every Stage to reemphasize the need to further prevention efforts and ensure equity in HIV care and treatment.

On March 20, we will also observe National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. This year’s theme is It’s All Relative, Our Experience Makes a Difference to promote HIV testing, prevention, and treatment in American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities.

OWH has resources to help women get the facts on HIV testing, prevention, and treatment and a booklet on medicines to treat HIV. Learn more about HIV. Use these resources to help protect yourself against HIV and share them with the women in your family and community and with your patients.

Women’s health news and updates:

• FDA Approves First Treatment to Reduce Risk of Serious Heart Problems Specifically in Adults with Obesity or Overweight
  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new indication for use for Wegovy (semaglutide) injection to reduce the risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack and stroke in adults with cardiovascular disease and either obesity or overweight. Wegovy should be used in addition to a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity. Cardiovascular disease is a group of diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

• HHS Announces Final Phase Winners in Challenge to Address Racial Equity in Postpartum Care
  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health (OWH) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have awarded winners in the second and final phase of the $1.8 million HHS Racial Equity in Postpartum Care Challenge. This national competition was developed to improve equity in postpartum care for Black or African American and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

More updates from around FDA:

• FDA Seeks $7.2 Billion to Enhance Food Safety and Nutrition, Advance Medical Product Safety, and Strengthen Public Health
• FDA Takes Steps to Ensure Safety of Cinnamon Products Sold in the U.S.A
• Conversation with FDA on Steps the Agency is Taking to Address Unsafe Levels of Lead Found in Cinnamon
• Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Medical Devices: Questions to Consider (Español)
• Taking Z-drugs for Insomnia? Know the Risks
• FDA Clears First Over-the-Counter Continuous Glucose Monitor
• FDA Works to Make Informed Consent Easier to Understand
• Sociodemographic Characteristics of Adverse Event Reporting
• Vaccination Is the Best Protection Against Measles
• Follow Instructions for Safe Use of Electrical Operating Room Tables - Letter to Health Care Providers
• FDA MedWatch – Hintermann H3 TAR Has a Higher-Than-Expected Risk of Failing
• FDA, Industry Actions End Sales of PFAS Used in US Food Packaging
• FDA Safety Communication: Do Not Use Smartwatches or Smart Rings to Measure Blood Glucose Levels
• FDA Launches New Directory of Ingredients Used in Products Marketed as Dietary Supplements
• FDA Approves First Medication to Help Reduce Allergic Reactions to Multiple Foods After Accidental Exposure
• Keeping Your Milk Safe From the Grass to the Glass
• 5 Medication Safety Tips for Older Adults
• FDA Approves First Medication to Treat Severe Frostbite

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!

• March 19, 2024 - Webcast: FDA Oncology Center of Excellence Presents: Conversations on Cancer: ODAC Chronicles - the Past, Present, and Future of Oncology Advisory Committees
• March 19-20, 2024 - Public Workshop: Enhancing Adoption of Innovative Clinical Trial Approaches
• March 20-21, 2024 - FDA Clinical Trial Requirements, Regulations, Compliance, and GCP Conference 

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