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Postpartum depression (PPD), also called postnatal depression, is a mood disorder experienced after childbirth, which can affect men and women. Symptoms may include extreme sadness, low energy, anxiety, crying episodes, irritability, and changes in sleeping or eating patterns. PPD can also negatively affect the newborn child.
The postpartum period begins after childbirth and is typically considered to last for six weeks. There are three distinct phases of the postnatal period; the acute phase, lasting for six to twelve hours after birth; the subacute phase, lasting six weeks; and the delayed phase, lasting up to six months. During the delayed phase, some changes to the genitourinary system take much longer to resolve and may result in conditions such as urinary incontinence. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes the postnatal period as the most critical and yet the most neglected phase in the lives of mothers and babies; most maternal and newborn deaths occur during this period.
Robert Francis Kennedy Jr., also known by his initials RFK Jr., is an American politician, environmental lawyer, anti-vaccine activist, and conspiracy theorist. He is the chairman and founder of Children's Health Defense, an anti-vaccine advocacy group that is a leading proponent of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation. He is on the ballot in some states as an independent candidate in the 2024 United States presidential election. A member of the Kennedy family, he is a son of the U.S. attorney general and senator Robert F. Kennedy, and a nephew of the U.S. president John F. Kennedy and senator Ted Kennedy.
March of Dimes is a United States nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies. The organization was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938, as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, to combat polio. The name "March of Dimes" was coined by Eddie Cantor. After funding Jonas Salk's polio vaccine, the organization expanded its focus to the prevention of birth defects and infant mortality. In 2005, as preterm birth emerged as the leading cause of death for children worldwide, research and prevention of premature birth became the organization's primary focus.
The DPT vaccine or DTP vaccine is a class of combination vaccines to protect against three infectious diseases in humans: diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus (lockjaw). The vaccine components include diphtheria and tetanus toxoids, and either killed whole cells of the bacterium that causes pertussis or pertussis antigens. The term toxoid refers to vaccines which use an inactivated toxin produced by the pathogen which they are targeted against to generate an immune response. In this way, the toxoid vaccine generates an immune response which is targeted against the toxin which is produced by the pathogen and causes disease, rather than a vaccine which is targeted against the pathogen itself. The whole cells or antigens will be depicted as either "DTwP" or "DTaP", where the lower-case "w" indicates whole-cell inactivated pertussis and the lower-case "a" stands for "acellular". In comparison to alternative vaccine types, such as live attenuated vaccines, the DTP vaccine does not contain any live pathogen, but rather uses inactivated toxoid to generate an immune response; therefore, there is not a risk of use in populations that are immune compromised since there is not any known risk of causing the disease itself. As a result, the DTP vaccine is considered a safe vaccine to use in anyone and it generates a much more targeted immune response specific for the pathogen of interest.
Postpartum blues, also known as baby blues and maternity blues, is a very common but self-limited condition that begins shortly after childbirth and can present with a variety of symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, and tearfulness. Mothers may experience negative mood symptoms mixed with intense periods of joy. Up to 85% of new mothers are affected by postpartum blues, with symptoms starting within a few days after childbirth and lasting up to two weeks in duration. Treatment is supportive, including ensuring adequate sleep and emotional support. If symptoms are severe enough to affect daily functioning or last longer than two weeks, the individual should be evaluated for related postpartum psychiatric conditions, such as postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety. It is unclear whether the condition can be prevented, however education and reassurance are important to help alleviate patient distress.
A breakthrough infection is a case of illness in which a vaccinated individual becomes infected with the illness, because the vaccine has failed to provide complete immunity against the pathogen. Breakthrough infections have been identified in individuals immunized against a variety of diseases including mumps, varicella (Chickenpox), influenza, and COVID-19. The characteristics of the breakthrough infection are dependent on the virus itself. Often, infection of the vaccinated individual results in milder symptoms and shorter duration than if the infection were contracted naturally.
Marjorie C. Decker is an American politician serving as the State Representative for the 25th Middlesex district in the Massachusetts General Court. She is also House chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health. Since 2016, she has also been employed by the class action law firm Berman Tabacco.
Antenatal depression, also known as prenatal or perinatal depression, is a form of clinical depression that can affect a woman during pregnancy, and can be a precursor to postpartum depression if not properly treated. It is estimated that 7% to 20% of pregnant women are affected by this condition. Any form of prenatal stress felt by the mother can have negative effects on various aspects of fetal development, which can cause harm to the mother and child. Even after birth, a child born from a depressed or stressed mother feels the affects. The child is less active and can also experience emotional distress. Antenatal depression can be caused by the stress and worry that pregnancy can bring, but at a more severe level. Other triggers include unplanned pregnancy, difficulty becoming pregnant, history of abuse, and economic or family situations.
Sherri J. Tenpenny is an American anti-vaccination activist and conspiracy theorist who promulgates disproven hypotheses that vaccines cause autism. An osteopathic physician by training, she is the author of four books opposing vaccination. In 2023 the State Medical Board of Ohio indefinitely suspended Tenpenny's medical license for failure to participate in its investigations. Her license was restored in 2024.
Nicole Lyn Letourneau is a Canadian professor and researcher. She is the University of Calgary Research Excellence Chair in Parent and Child Mental Health. Formerly she held Research Chairs in Parent and Infant./Child Mental Health funded by Alberta Children's Hospital, Palix/Norlien, and Newall Family Foundations (2011–2023). She currently serves as the Scientific Director of the Alliance against Violence and Adversity (AVA) Health Research Training Platform and Women's and Girls' Health Hub. She is also the director of RESOLVE Alberta and principal investigator for the CHILD Studies Program at Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute. She has written over 270 peer-reviewed publications; authored the books, Parenting and Child Development: Issues and Answers, What Kind of Parent Am I:Self-Surveys That Reveal The Impact of Toxic Stress Scientific Parenting: What Science reveals about Parental Impact, and has contributed more than 20 other books on parenting and childcare.
COVID-19 vaccination in New Zealand began on 20 February 2021, and will continue throughout the pandemic with the goal of vaccinating all willing New Zealanders aged 5 or older. Those aged 5 to 11 require a parent, caregiver or legal guardian accompany them to their appointment and provide consent for them to be vaccinated. As of 1 September, anyone in New Zealand, regardless of their immigration status, is eligible to be vaccinated.
Melody S. Goodman is an American biostatistician and higher education executive whose work focuses on social determinants of health, health literacy, and stakeholder engagement in health research. Goodman has spoken publicly about racial disparities in access to healthcare, and is an advocate for public outreach and engagement on health issues. She is a professor of biostatistics and Interim Dean of the New York University School of Global Public Health.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the United States is the sociocultural phenomenon of individuals refusing or displaying hesitance towards receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the United States can be considered as part of the broader history of vaccine hesitancy.
In many countries, the dissemination of varied claims and perspectives regarding COVID-19 vaccines has sparked widespread public discussion. These include concerns about potential side effects, differing interpretations of how the immune system responds to vaccination, and debates over the development and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Additionally, stories such as COVID-19 being linked to 5G technology and other debated information have also emerged. This spread of information, including content from anti-vaccination advocates, may have influenced people's attitudes towards vaccination. In response, governments and private organizations around the world have introduced measures to encourage or mandate vaccination, such as lotteries, mandates, and free entry to events. These measures have further fueled debates about their legality and effectiveness.
Gina Hackett Curry is an American politician who has represented the 164th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 2021.
Media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic includes reporting on the deaths of anti-vaccine advocates from COVID-19 as a phenomenon occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic. The media also reported on various websites documenting such deaths, with some outlets questioning whether this practice was overly unsympathetic. Reports noted phenomena including "deathbed conversions", in which vaccine opponents reportedly changed their minds and began encouraging vaccination before dying, with these claims meeting continued skepticism by vaccination opponents; and on groups of deaths within specific demographics, such as anti-vaccine radio hosts.
Elyse Myers is an American social media influencer, comedian, and musician from Nebraska. She gained notoriety on TikTok with an account of her worst date during which she purchased 100 tacos.
Maternity care deserts in the United States, also known as maternal care deserts, are counties that lack maternity care resources. The March of Dimes defines a maternity care desert as a county that has no hospitals or birth centers offering obstetric care and no obstetric providers. As of 2020 March of Dimes classified 1095 of 3139 of U.S. counties (34.9%) as maternity care deserts. Its 2022 report indicated an increase of nearly 2%, with 1119 of 3142 US counties (35.6%) considered maternity care deserts, affecting a population of over 5.6 million women. People living in maternity care deserts may have to travel longer distances to receive care, which is associated with higher costs and a greater risk of pregnancy complications.
Ebony Carter is an obstetrician, reproductive health equity researcher and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Carter is the Director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at University of North Carolina School of Medicine. As a physician-scientist, Carter is known for her research and implementation of community-based interventions to improve health equity among pregnant patients. Carter is the inaugural Associate Editor of Equity for the academic journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, published by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).
References
- 1 2 3 4 "How One Comedian's Battle With Postpartum Depression Turned Laughs Into Legislation". KTLA . May 1, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 Edwards, Breanna (October 23, 2020). "Comedienne Angelina Spicer Is Using Humor And Her Experience With Postpartum Depression To Draw Back The Veil Of Shame". Essence . Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- 1 2 3 "Comedian & women's health activist Angelina Spicer appears at Tull Family Theater". The Beaver County Times . July 8, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- 1 2 3 Elfman, Lois (April 14, 2022). "Brooklyn native propels postpartum revolution". New York Amsterdam News . Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Murphy, LaTasha (2021). "The Postpartum Revolutionary". Howard Magazine. Howard University . Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ↑ O'Connell-Domenech, Alejandra (May 29, 2024). "The US faces a deadly maternal mental health crisis — and it may be getting worse". The Hill . Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- 1 2 Spicer, Angelina (May 31, 2024). "My Baby's Doing Fine, Thanks for Asking. But What About Me?". Elle . Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- 1 2 Neely, Priska (March 7, 2019). "It's Part Of Her Routine, But This Comedian Is Not Joking About Postpartum Depression And Anxiety". LAist . Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Postpartum depression is no laughing matter but "accidental activist" and comedian, Angelina Spicer". WUSA9 . July 16, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2024– via YouTube.
- ↑ "Angelina Spicer's Campaign to End Postpartum Depression Stigma Coming to Philly". NBC10 Philadelphia . July 15, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2024– via YouTube.
- ↑ "'Who Can Help Me Serve The People': Local Comedian Takes On Vaccine Equity With Grassroots Effort". KCAL News . March 26, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- 1 2 "Meet the Woman on a Mission to Have Black & Brown Families Vaccinated". The Ellen Show . YouTube. June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ↑ Liao, Kristine (May 18, 2021). "This Comedian Is Helping Hundreds of Black and Latinx Americans Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19". Global Citizen . Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- 1 2 "Angelina Spicer". Vital Voices . Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Fourth Class of Fellows Graduates from the National Academy for Health Equity in System Transformation". Families USA . Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ↑ "The Waldorf Hysteria". The Kennedy Center . Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Social Practice Residencies". The Kennedy Center . Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ↑ "New March of Dimes Research Center for Advancing Maternal Health Equity Aims to Close Health Equity Gap, Improve Outcomes". March of Dimes . January 3, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2024.