maternal health

Hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings, brain fog — those are just a few of the things a woman might experience in and around menopause. These symptoms can be uncomfortable, confusing and disruptive. While menopause affects half of the population that reaches middle age, there are still a lot of myths and misconceptions about the condition. Host Charity Nebbe speaks with Dr. Linda Bradley of the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio about the specific challenges facing women of color as they navigate perimenopause and menopause. Then, Dr. Holly Marie Bolger of the University of Iowa will address some menopause myths and bring us up to date on treatment options.

A bill that would make several changes to public assistance programs advanced through an Iowa House subcommittee Wednesday over the objections of people who said it would result in more babies going hungry.

A bill that aims to crack down on out-of-state providers who mail abortion pills to Iowans was advanced Monday by Republicans on a Senate panel. Opponents said the bill would cause problems for in-state doctors while having little effect on mail-order pills.

Over 60,000 Iowans participate in WIC, which provides food assistance, nutrition education and counseling to new and expecting mothers and children under 5. The state has indicated it will maintain services, but long-term funding is uncertain.

83 million Americans live in areas without adequate access to primary care physicians, according to the American Medical Association. Iowa ranks 44th in physicians per capita.

Iowa has one of the lowest rates of OB-GYNs in the country, and some are concerned Iowa's abortion restrictions may be driving some doctors away.