The month of May 2024 includes notable women’s health-related observances, including Women’s Health Month, National Women’s Health Week, Preeclampsia Awareness Month, and Menstrual Hygiene Day. NICHD has a more than 60-year history of leading and supporting research on women’s health.
As May concludes, we invite you to continue prioritizing health topics that are unique to women. In June and July, NICHD is co-hosting several workshops and virtual meetings. Please consider registering to participate in discussions and to help shape future research and care.
Workshop on Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS): Present and Future
June 10-11, 2024
PAS, a condition when the placenta fails to detach from the uterine wall during delivery, poses a serious risk of morbidity and mortality for pregnant individuals. Timely and accurate diagnosis of PAS, along with effective management strategies such as determining the right time for delivery, preoperative planning, intraoperative approach, and postoperative care, are essential steps to improve maternal outcomes. This workshop convenes experts, health care providers, and stakeholders, including representatives from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, the Pan-American Society for the Placenta Accreta Spectrum, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology, and the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine, to collaborate on shaping future research in the field of PAS.
For more information, visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/meetings/2024/061024.
Third Annual Gynecologic Pain Research Virtual Meeting
June 13, 2024
This virtual meeting will bring together investigators in the field of gynecology and pain research to facilitate collaboration and networking. Participants will share ideas and discuss emerging trends within gynecologic pain research and within the wider field of chronic pain. Additionally, staff from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will provide an overview of the FDA review of gynecological devices and investigational new drug processes.
For more information, visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/meetings/2024/061424.
Envisioning the Future of HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Prevention and Contraception
June 24-25, 2024
Multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs) are innovative products designed to deliver combinations of HIV and STI preventatives, as well as contraception. Currently, there are two dozen MPTs in development, using a range of delivery platforms, such as intravaginal rings, films, gels, and implants. Despite the complexities and challenges faced by the MPT field, these products hold promise in revolutionizing women's health by offering multiple uses in single products. The MPT Summit will build on the work accomplished over the past 15 years to advance the field of MPTs and explore what is needed to help ensure MPTs reach the hands of users.
For more information, visit https://web.cvent.com/event/1591daf9-e74f-481a-852e-f9071e06961c/summary 
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Implementing a Maternal health & PRegnancy Outcomes Vision for Everyone (IMPROVE) Initiative Connecting the Community Research Showcase
July 11, 2024
IMPROVE is an NIH-wide initiative led by NICHD, the Office of Research on Women’s Health, and the National Institute of Nursing Research that was established in response to the rising U.S. rates of pregnancy-related deaths. This multipronged, innovative research effort is designed to address maternal mortality and morbidity, including severe maternal morbidity, and improve maternal health before, during, and after pregnancy. This showcase will spotlight the efforts of eight local community organizations taking part in IMPROVE’s Connecting the Community for Maternal Health Challenge. This challenge’s goal is to help nonprofit organizations overcome structural barriers and enhance their capabilities, infrastructure, and experience to compete for federal funding and conduct research projects to improve maternal health outcomes in their communities.
For more information, visit https://www.nichd.nih.gov/about/meetings/2024/071124.
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