Smoking was associated with greater postpartum-depression risk across 38 studies

Women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) and acute suicidality frequently seek medical evaluation in emergency departments (EDs), but the intersection between these two acute presentations is often overlooked during fast-paced triage. This systematic review, meta-analysis, and narrative synthesis synthesized 20 ED-based studies comprising 7,498 women across three global databases. Investigators used random-effects models and evaluated study quality with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Overall, 22% (95% CI: 11%–36%) of women presenting to the ED for suicide-related care had a history of physical IPV, while 13% (95% CI: 8%–18%) of women with known IPV histories reported active suicidality. A history of IPV was associated with a three-fold increase in the risk of suicide attempt (risk ratio [RR] 3.00; 95% CI: 1.39–6.47). Notably, psychological IPV demonstrated a stronger association with suicide risk (RR 3.23; 95% CI: 1.68–6.19) than physical IPV alone (RR 2.00; 95% CI: 1.26–3.17).

Continuous non-clinical labor support has drawn increasing interest to address severe maternal health disparities and high obstetric intervention rates across the United States. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated 30 US-based studies (12 randomized controlled trials and 18 nonrandomized studies of interventions) examining doula care compared with standard maternity care. Using GRADE methodology, the investigators found moderate-certainty evidence that doula support is likely associated with lower rates of preterm birth, decreased cesarean delivery, improved maternal birth experiences, and higher postpartum visit attendance. Low-certainty evidence suggested potential associations with improved prenatal mood, increased spontaneous vaginal birth and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), earlier breastfeeding initiation, reduced epidural analgesia use, shorter labor duration, and lower infant mortality. Doula support was not associated with reductions in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, maternal readmissions, or NICU admissions. Notably, four of five studies focusing specifically on populations experiencing structural disparities (by race, incarceration, low income, or Medicaid insurance) documented positive maternal-infant benefits.

Cancer survivors frequently experience a distressing co-occurring symptom cluster of persistent fatigue, sleep disruption, and chronic pain following primary therapy. The MATCH trial (Mindfulness and Tai Chi for Cancer Health) was a partially randomized patient-preference comparative effectiveness trial evaluating Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) and Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ) in distressed cancer survivors across diverse cancer diagnoses and stages. Enrolled participants (N = 587; mean age 60.7 years) either chose an intervention or underwent randomization to MBCR or TCQ, followed by secondary randomization to immediate intervention or waitlist control. At post-intervention, both MBCR and TCQ produced statistically significant reductions in fatigue compared to waitlist controls, with mean improvements of 3.66 points (P = .036) and 3.42 points (P = .043), respectively. Pain interference improved by more than 1 point in both active groups (MBCR: P = .029; TCQ: P = .002). TCQ also yielded a statistically significant 1.9-point improvement on the sleep quality scale after multivariable adjustment (P = .004). Clinical outcomes did not differ between MBCR and TCQ, and participant preference status did not affect intervention efficacy.