Women, Children & Family Health 2026
An annual Special Edition bringing together published research animations around a shared research theme.
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Annual Special Edition
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Special Edition Information
Health is shaped by biological, social and environmental factors throughout life, with some challenges affecting women, children and families in particularly complex ways.
This Special Edition brings together research exploring pregnancy, reproductive health, childhood conditions, maternal wellbeing and health inequalities. Together, the studies highlight approaches that could improve treatment, support and health outcomes for individuals and families across different communities and stages of life.
Edition Editor
Dr Nelly Berg
Executive Editor
Dr. Steve Nordeen | A Plant-Inspired Breakthrough for Menopause Relief
Menopause can bring a range of symptoms, including vaginal pain, decreased sexual arousal and recurrent vaginal and urinary tract infections. While estrogen therapies can be very effective at relieving these problems, many people worry about the risks of steroid hormones circulating throughout the body. This has led scientists to search for treatments that work locally where they are needed, without broader side effects. Recent research is pointing to an unexpected source of inspiration: naturally occurring plant compounds.
Hope Walks: Early Clubfoot Treatment Transforms Children’s Lives
In many low- and middle-income countries, children born with physical disabilities face lifelong barriers that limit their ability to learn, play, and participate in their communities. One such condition is clubfoot, a congenital deformity that twists a baby’s feet downward and inward. While it is routinely corrected in wealthier nations, lack of access to treatment in poorer regions often leaves children disabled for life. In research funded by the University of Notre Dame, Bruce Wydick, Gianna Camacho, and Patrizio Piraino reveal how early, affordable treatment for clubfoot can transform not only a child’s mobility but nearly every aspect of their well-being.
Dr. Khuthala Mabetha | How Social Support Shapes Pregnancy for Young Women in South Africa
Pregnancy can be a time of excitement and hope, but it can also bring uncertainty, stress and emotional upheaval, especially for young women navigating major life changes. A study led by Dr. Khuthala Mabetha and colleagues sheds light on how social support shapes the pregnancy experiences of young women in Soweto, South Africa, revealing just how powerful everyday relationships can be during this pivotal period.
Dr. Angelo Hooker | Understanding Intrauterine Scarring to Improve Fertility and Pregnancy Outcomes
Intrauterine adhesion is a common gynecological condition – one of the main diseases of the reproductive system. This uterine disorder is characterized by a partial or complete adhesion between the anterior and posterior walls of the uterine cavity and/or the cervical canal. It has a debilitating impact on the quality of life for women of childbearing age. Intrauterine adhesion can form when the lining of the uterus becomes damaged, leading to scarring or even obliteration of the uterine cavity. It can result from intrauterine infections and from operations such as dilatation and curettage after miscarriage or termination of pregnancy.
Reducing Racial Disparities in Anemia in Pregnancy
Pregnancy is often an exciting time as families welcome a new baby (or babies) into their homes. But sometimes, new mothers face serious health problems that can become life-threatening. Doctors call these life-threatening situations “severe maternal morbidity,” or a “near-miss” pregnancy event. One important issue that affects these outcomes is anemia during pregnancy (also referenced as antepartum anemia in our study). Anemia happens when the body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen. The most common type is iron-deficiency anemia, which simply means the body doesn’t have enough iron.
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