The pandemic’s babies, toddlers and preschoolers are now school-age, and the impact on them is becoming increasingly clear: Many are showing signs of being academically and developmentally behind. Jaime Peterson, M.D., says, “I definitely think children born then have had developmental challenges compared to prior years. We asked them to wear masks, not see adults, not play with kids. We really severed those interactions, and you don’t get that time back for kids."

The pandemic’s babies, toddlers and preschoolers are now school-age, and the impact on them is becoming increasingly clear: Many are showing signs of being academically and developmentally behind, The New York Times reports. Jaime Peterson, M.D., says, “I definitely think children born then have had developmental challenges compared to prior years. We asked them to wear masks, not see adults, not play with kids. We really severed those interactions, and you don’t get that time back for kids.”

In a feature about how rural Oregonians continue to face complex challenges for access to health care as politicians and local leaders work on solutions, Robert Duehmig says social factors such as limited public transportation options and high housing costs can make health care inaccessible or out of financial reach. And he notes that access to maternal care is particularly limited, with about 25% of rural hospitals nationwide having eliminated obstetrics units between 2011 and 2021.

In a Health story about a new tool that could reduce pain during IUD insertion, Lisa Bayer, M.D., warns that it’s not a total replacement: “A key issue contributing to the problem is that there is a dismissal of women’s pain during gynecological procedures.”

In an interview with Urology Times, Jessica Wenzel, M.D., shares the background and key findings from her study, “Occupational Radiation Exposure During Pregnancy: A Survey of Urologists on Perception, Experience, and Practice Patterns.” She says, “We found that two-thirds or female respondents did not know their dosimeter doses during pregnancy.”

The OHSU Knight Cancer Institute grants funding to 11 projects to address the burden of cancer across the state. The HIV Alliance in Eugene received funding for a project designed to investigate the benefits of HPV vaccinations for at-risk, underserved populations in Lane County. Medical director, Gail Hacker M.D., says, “There is a significant need to protect those in our community who are most vulnerable to HPV and HPV-related cancers. Developing new strategies to prevent HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer is particularly needed today, as it has surpassed rates of cervical cancer, with no current options for screening or early detection.”

Two years since the Supreme Court's ruling overturning Roe v. Wade and nearly 50 years of federal abortion protections, patients seeking abortions in Oregon have increased by an estimated 40%. Alyssa Colwill, M.D., says, "For individuals undergoing obstetrical care in Idaho, we are the nearest state that can provide emergency services. Prior to the Dobbs decision, it was rare that anybody from Idaho was transferred to Oregon."

Two years since the Supreme Court's ruling overturning Roe v. Wade and nearly 50 years of federal abortion protections, patients seeking abortions in Oregon have increased by an estimated 40%. Alyssa Colwill, M.D., says, "For individuals undergoing obstetrical care in Idaho, we are the nearest state that can provide emergency services. Prior to the Dobbs decision, it was rare that anybody from Idaho was transferred to Oregon."

In a story about various options for personal lubrication, Sara Cichowski, M.D., says, “Some lubricants have FDA clearance, but many great products — including natural options, such as olive oil, coconut oil, and apricot kernel oil — don’t. I tell my patients that picking a lubricant is about personal preference, often based on skin sensitivity, texture/glide preferences and planned activity.”

HealthCentral reports that taking CBD for multiple sclerosis may ease symptoms such as pain and spasticity, but there’s still a lot that scientists don’t know about the substance. Michelle Cameron, M.D., says, “Many people would prefer to use CBD alone, for legal reasons or because they don’t want to be intoxicated, but we don’t have data to know how CBD alone works.”