How protected is your health related data?
Not surprisingly, we are finding the more we learn and research, there is more than we can fit into a 5-minute read each week. The newsletter will continue to be a quick read and a starting point for find more information.
To deliver you a cross-section of information, we’ve provided links to other sources in some places, will have a series on a topic, and are sharing more detailed versions on some topics on the Eve Was Framed blog. We hope you find that helpful.
Speaking of resources, if you are interested in what you can do for abortion rights, The Center for Reproductive rights shared a 7 item list, Planned Parenthood has resources including a state by state guide to the laws and you can let your name and resources to the Planned Parenthood Action fund Bans Off Our Bodies.
Maggie Ruvoldt & Stephanie Majercik
The Tasting Menu
Heart Health, The Sequel
Knowing your options with IUDs
Health data everywhere…what protection does HIPPA give you?
Women’s Heart Health - The Sequel
It isn’t enough to know the risk that cardiovascular disease presents to women. Understanding unique challenges in diagnosis and treatment for women will empower you more in your heart health and enable you to advocate for yourself (or a loved one).
The symptoms can differ between women and men, especially when having a heart attack. We all have an image in our heads of someone clutching their chest in pain. However, women are more likely than men to have symptoms they don’t realize are indicative of a heart attack including:
Pressure and tightness rather than pain
Discomfort in the jaw, neck or upper back
Vomiting
Sweating
Fatigue
Multiple factors impact getting the appropriate medical attention for cardiovascular health.
Doctors and medical professionals are not recognizing these as signs any more than women are themselves. Younger women reporting these symptoms may be told they are suffering from anxiety or lack of sleep.
Add that to the fact that women, and particularly women of color, wait longer in emergency rooms and are more likely to be turned away with these symptoms without further investigation.
Women are also more likely to experience “unusual heart attacks”. You can read more about what these are called (MINOCA) in the Medical Term this week. One example is SCAD or spontaneous coronary artery dissection which can occur in otherwise healthy women in their 40s and 50s more frequently than it does in men. There may be a hormonal connection as they occur more often in women during pregnancy or in women on hormone replacement.
Even when the threat is clear, women are less likely to receive CPR from bystanders while medical professionals are called.
To learn more about this, check out the American Heart Association’s campaign Go Red for Women.
Knowing your options with IUDs
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) is a topic that comes up often within my group of girlfriends. And this was a requested topic from our Instagram a couple of weeks ago. It’s maybe the most effective form of birth control out there (99% effective) and it can last for several years without having to remember to take a daily pill or other regular maintenance.
There is so much to know, we have a longer piece in our blog for a deep dive. Here are some considerations we want to share from that blog.
Hormones or no?
There are two types of IUDs to choose from (brand names aside) and that choice ultimately comes down to the question of hormones.
IUDs and side effects
Before putting anything into your body for a prolonged period of time, knowing how it will affect you is important. Copper IUDs and hormonal IUD have different side effects.
With both, the side effects typically last about 3-6 months as your body adjusts to the IUD.
Are there any other risks?
Planned Parenthood notes that serious risks with IUDs are generally rare, but you still want to be informed. The risks arise if the device becomes dislodged or you become pregnant. If you use a menstrual cup, you’ll want to discuss that with your provider.
As with any birth control you should evaluate your needs, any side effects, and risks along with speaking with your OB/GYN about the options best for you.
Want to learn more? Check out our related blog post for additional information.
Health data everywhere…what protection does HIPPA give you?
Let’s take a look!
Does your doctor’s office use an app to check in? Might not be covered. One uses data for marketing purposes.
Have you ever done one of those genetic tests to see your ancestry? Not covered
How about health screenings at a pharmacy or a health fair? Not covered
And remember our piece on June 22nd about fitness trackers? Not covered and the FTC has warned them about handling breaches.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) has 5 rules. There are two you want to know the most about. The Privacy Rule regulates the disclosure and use of protected health information (PHI). The Security Rule,a complement to the Privacy rule, is specific to electronic protected health information.
So, what can you do to protect your data?
Understand what’s being collected.
Do your best to use products that only collect the data needed to deliver the product.
Read those checkboxes. Opt-out where you can for research and marketing purposes
Educate yourself about your rights, who is a covered entity, and when data can be shared.
MINOCA are heart attacks not caused by blocked arteries. It stands for myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries.
Research indicates women are 5 times more likely than men to have MINOCA.
There are different types of MINOCA heart attacks. While they make up a smaller percentage of all heart attacks (between 5% and 10%), 40% to 60% of MINOCA patients are women.
You can learn more at Heart.org.
Next week, we are starting our Company Profile series. We’ll be bringing to you companies working in the women’s health, family health, and femtech space. There are products and services out you might not know exist.
Abortion and even travel related expenses can be covered through health insurance and flexible spending plans - for now. (from New York Times 5 minute read)
If you’re facing the Great Tampon shortage of 2022, there are 3 startups who have solutions for you. (Forbes 4 minute read)
Looking for a more sustainable diaper solution? Or want to toilet train faster and earlier? Two companies are attacking those topics (Fast Company 7 minute read)
Side effects, like those we highlighted in this week’s IUD article, are a big factor in selecting birth control. One company is trying to break down that trial and error barrier. (Pharma Voice 6 minute read)