Period Poverty from a Public Health and Legislative Perspective.

Period poverty is a global issue that needs to be addressed as a public health crisis. It is directly related to Sustainable Health Goals three, four, five, six, and eight. Period poverty adversely affects the health of anyone capable of menstruating, which is nearly half of the world population, at the physiological, emotional, and psychosocial level. Biases, cultural beliefs, ethical reproductive justice issues, social stigma, and systemic factors contribute to period poverty. Every month, certain menstruators are disproportionately impacted by period poverty and struggle to access basic hygienic necessities. Important stakeholders include not only the individual who experiences menses but also educators and school systems, healthcare professionals, policymakers, public health officials, and researchers. Everyone has a role in addressing period poverty by voting for officials that proactively support legislation, policy, and programs at all levels to effectively advocate for menstrual equity and address barriers contributing to period poverty. This includes policies that increase access to menstrual hygiene products, safe menstrual management methods, and reproductive and women's health education. Programs globally that focus on capacity building and sustainability strategies can be used as models to reduce period poverty, thereby fostering a sense of empowerment and menstruators' sense of autonomy, dignity, and equality.

What's the Buzz: Tell Me What's Happening in Breast Cancer Screening.

Many controversies have come to light related to breast cancer screening recommendations for average- and high-risk populations. This manuscript focuses on factors to consider when coordinating and conducting breast cancer screening programs in an average or "healthy women" population. As presented at the 2016 ONS Congress, a brief comparison of current screening recommendations among various organizations for early detection of breast cancer is provided. Lessons learned regarding key components of successful screening programs such as being patient focused, accessible, and sustainable are shared. Practice implications such as gaining confidence in providing individualized patient education, encouraging every woman to discuss her risk of breast cancer with her health-care provider, advocating for patients needs and being involved in or aware of clinical and translational research on the efficacy of the clinical breast examination and screening services are critical roles for nurses and advanced practice nurse providers.

Lymphatic Filariasis in Children in Haiti.

Using available evidence and astute assessment skills, nurses and advanced practice nurses, as members of an inter-professional team, were able to assess, diagnose, and initiate treatment for a child with lymphatic filariasis within a global health practice setting. The lessons learned during health outreach trips to an underserved commune of Port-au-Prince, Haiti can promote an understanding of appropriate nursing practice related to this parasitic infection. They can also assist nursing students, nurse practitioner students, and faculties as members of a medical outreach team to promote sustainability which is a benchmark of nursing leadership in global health.

Factors associated with why African-American women from one urban county use mammography services less.

A two-group comparison pilot study was conducted with 60 (N = 60) U.S. born African-American women to determine the factors associated with decreased utilization of mammography among women who have access to mammography services, yet choose not to utilize them. Findings from the study suggest that African-American acculturation and Health Temporal Orientation were significantly associated with mammography utilization (p = 0.01). There was no significant relationship between other cultural beliefs, health-care avoidance, or sociodemographic status indicators. Six content areas also emerged from a focus group discussion associated with barriers/factors related to mammography utilization. Findings from this study also suggest that further research and outreach is needed to address the development of tailored interventions to increase the rate of mammography utilization and reduce the incidence and mortality related to breast cancer in African-American women.

Healthcare avoidance: a critical review.

The purpose of this study is to provide a critical review and synthesis of theoretical and research literature documenting the impact of avoidance on healthcare behaviors, identify the factors that influence healthcare avoidance and delay in the adult population, and propose a direction for future research. The Theory of Reasoned Action, Theory of Planned Behavior, Theory of Care-Seeking Behavior, the Transtheoretical Model, and the Behavioral Model of Health Services Use/Utilization are utilized to elaborate on the context within which individual intention to engage in healthcare behaviors occurs. Research literature on the concept of healthcare avoidance obtained by using computerized searches of CINAHL, MEDLINE, PSYCH INFO, and HAPI databases, from 1995 to 2007, were reviewed. Studies were organized by professional disciplines. Healthcare avoidance is a common and highly variable experience. Multiple administrative, demographic, personal, and provider factors are related to healthcare avoidance, for example, distrust of providers and/or the science community, health beliefs, insurance status, or socioeconomic/income level. Although the concept is recognized by multiple disciplines, limited research studies address its impact on healthcare decision making. More systematic research is needed to determine correlates of healthcare avoidance. Such studies will help investigators identify patients at risk for avoidant behaviors and provide the basis for health-promoting interventions. Methodological challenges include identification of characteristics of individuals and environments that hinder healthcare behaviors, as well as, the complexity of measuring healthcare avoidance. Studies need to systematically explore the influence of avoidance behaviors on specific healthcare populations at risk.