Resources
Postpartum type 2 diabetes (T2D)
Postpartum type 2 diabetes (T2D) is when a woman is diagnosed with hyperglycemia mainly due to insulin resistance after giving birth. Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a 7-10 times higher risk of developing T2D than those who without.
Among women at risk, approximately 5%, 10% and 50% of women will develop T2D in the first six months, 1-2 years and 5-10 years after pregnancy, respectively. Hence, it is necessary for women with a history of GDM to be screened for diabetes postpartum routinely as part of the lifelong screening, which allows for better management and reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Infertility
Infertility is the inability to get pregnant even after having frequent and unprotected sex for one year. Infertility affects roughly 10% of the world’s population—the WHO ranks infertility in the young population as the fifth highest serious global disability.
Infertility can negatively affect a person’s overall health and quality of life. Many couples unable to conceive will experience psychological and interpersonal distress that could negatively impact their quality of life. There are multiple biological and environmental risk factors which could impact female and couple fertility.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is when a woman’s ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens, male sex hormones that are usually present in women in small amounts. The prevalence of the polycystic ovarian syndrome is generally between 3% – 10%.
The exact cause of PCOS is still being studied; however, genetic factors, insulin resistance, and obesity are found to worsen PCOS symptoms. This condition can cause serious health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and blood vessel problems, and uterine cancer.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)
Gestational diabetes (GDM) is high blood sugar condition occurring during pregnancy, among women without a history of chronic diabetes. It can happen at any stage of pregnancy but is more common in the second or third trimester. Approximately 5-30% of pregnancies are affected by GDM varying on regions and races/ethnicities, especially highly prevalent in Asian populations.
Evidence has shown that GDM leads to adverse health outcomes, including preterm birth, progression to pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes after delivery in mothers and neonatal complications, and childhood obesity in babies. GDM can be highly managed by closely monitoring the blood sugar levels, which can help the clinician offer more targeted treatment.
Hypertensive disorder during pregnancy (HDP)
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are pregnancy-associated hypertension that begins during or after pregnancy, including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia and eclampsia. Evidence shows that it can complicate 5 to 10% of pregnancies and increases when coupled with other cardio-metabolic diseases in women.
For mothers, HDP complications can lead to placental abruption, stroke, etc., whereas for babies, it can lead to preterm delivery and cause neonatal complications. These complications of HDP can be prevented by identifying, continuous monitoring, and coordinated care to address hypertension.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is when the breast cells begin to grow and divide more rapidly and accumulate to form a mass or lump. It can eventually spread outside the breast through blood vessels and lymph vessels and cause severe complications. According to WHO 2021 report, it is the most common cancer globally accounting for 12% of all new annual cancer cases worldwide.
Certain factors can put women at high risk of developing breast cancer, including obesity, alcohol, genetics, radiation exposure, etc.; however, approximately half of breast cancers developed in women have no identifiable risk factor other than gender and age over 40. Breast cancer treatments can be highly effective, with a survival probability of 90% or more, especially when identified early. Clinicians mainly use surgery, radiation therapy to control the disease, and systemic treatment based on the severity of the disease.
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is when the cells in the woman’s cervix, the lower part of the uterus, begin to grow and divide more rapidly and accumulate to form lumps. Though all women are at high risk of cervical cancer, it occurs mainly in sexually active women over 30. Not all women who get human papillomavirus infection lead to cervical cancer; however, constant infection with the virus can lead to cancer.
Studies have identified some risk factors that can put women at high risk of developing cervical cancer from an HPV infection. These include but are not limited to immunosuppressive disorders, smoking and sexual transmitted disease (STDs). Regular cervical screening and the HPV vaccine protect women from developing cervical cancer.
Healthy Aging
CDC defines healthy aging as the development and maintenance of optimal physical, mental and social well-being and function in older adults. Across the world, there are significant differences between countries and regions in terms of aging; hence healthy aging is the focus of WHO’s work on aging from 2015 to 2030.
It replaces the WHO’s previous focus on active aging, a policy framework developed in 2002. Healthy aging can be achieved through many effective strategies, such as staying active, connected to the community, and adequate nutrition and care. Public health strategies that provide efficient clinical preventive services that improve the health and lifestyle of the older generation are the key to healthy aging.
Mental wellness
Mental wellness is an essential part of overall health and well-being. It includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being and affects how we think, feel, and act. It is significant in every phase of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. The most common mental illnesses are anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
Reported by WHO, one in every eight people lives with a mental illness. It dramatically affects how we handle stress; as studies have shown, it is the risk factor for many diseases faced by men and women. Poor mental health often causes many chronic conditions and leads to cardiometabolic diseases. Lack of awareness and social stigma can cause people to avoid medical help; however, WHO data shows that most mental illnesses can be managed with effective prevention and treatment options.
