COVID and Gender: A Narrative Review of the Asia-Pacific Region.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the largest infectious disease epidemic to affect the human race since the great influenza pandemic of 1918-19 and is close to approaching the number of deaths from the earlier epidemic. A review of available data and the numerous currently available studies on COVID-19 shows that the rate of clinical cases is about 10% greater in females than males in Asia. However, the number of deaths is greater in males than in females. Women are more likely to experience the psychological effects of COVID-19 during and after acute infections. A significant proportion of acute COVID-19 infections continue and their prolonged symptoms have been reported. Further studies are needed, including detailed serology, to measure and monitor the incidence of COVID-19. The pandemic has had a widespread impact on broader societies including shortages of food, lockdowns and isolation. The number of orphans in developing countries has increased. Women have had to bear the major impacts of these community effects. More research is required to develop better vaccines acting against new strains of the virus and to develop systems to distribute vaccines to all people.

Infant feeding guidelines: Updating the evidence 2022

Since the publication of the NHMRC Infant Feeding Guidelines (NHMRC, 2012a) there has been increasing interest in the importance of infant feeding to mothers and their babies. In recent decades many international organisations and other countries have published formal advice on infant feeding. Since the literature review for the Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines (NHMRC, 2012b) was completed in 2010 there have been thousands of research papers and reviews published. The main topics in the Australian Infant Feeding Guidelines that were not included in the Dewey review were: * Weigh and plot regularly and accurately * Use lowest protein formula to avoid rapid growth, and potentially overweight and obesity. * Support the principles of the Baby Friendly Health Initiative (although this is almost universally supported it may not be specifically mentioned in guidelines * Educate parents on the importance of correctly preparing infant formula and following the instructions carefully, including using the correct scoop and not overfilling or underfilling the scoop * Fully implement the WHO Code on the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The CDC reports that approximately 8% of the US population suffers from asthma (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).

The Broad Spectrum and Continuing Needs of Women's Health.

The Women's Health section of the IJERPH has published almost 700 papers in the past three years, reflecting its importance in public health [...].