2008 Dr. Kit Allen Women's Health Research Grant

Principal Investigator:  Nasia Safdar, MD, MS, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Dr. Safdar will receive the $10,000 Dr. Kit Allen Women’s Health Research Grant for her work examining whether low levels of vitamin D are associated with high HIV viral loads in women with HIV infection. The grant will support a cross-sectional study of 128 adult women with HIV who receive care at the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, monitoring vitamin D levels and intake of vitamin D (both by supplement and food) among its female subjects. Data obtained from this study will be used to apply for federal funding with the aim that further research will help define the mechanisms of low vitamin D levels in HIV infected women, the impact of antiretroviral treatment and HIV itself on vitamin D, and outcomes associated with low vitamin D levels, such as metabolic bone disease and osteoporosis.

 

2006 Dr. Kit Allen Women's Health Research Grant

Principal Investigator:  Principal Investigator: Cecilia Hillard, PhD, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

"It is well established that women are more reactive to stress than men and more importantly are more likely than men to develop stress-related psychiatric problems, such as anxiety and depression. We have discovered that a receptor in the brain, called the cannabinoid receptor, functions as an anti-stress system. When the cannabinoid receptor is highly active (or turned on), stress responses and feelings of anxiety are low. Conversely, when the cannainfoid receptor is turned off or otherwise not functioning, stress response and feelings of anxiety are high. It is our hypothesis that women have fewer cannabinoid receptors than men, which results in greater anxiety and more stress. Furthermore, we hypothesize that women in the premenstrual phase of their cycles have even lower activation of this receptor, which could account for some of the symproms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)."

 

2004 Dr. Kit Allen Women's Health Research Grant
"Health and Wellbeing of African Immigrant Women: A Life Course Perspective"
Principal Investigator: Sherrill L. Sellers, PhD, Assistant Professor, UW School of Social Work, Madison, WI

The purpose of this study is to examine the health and wellbeing of Black African immigrant women across the lifespan. Thirty African immigrant women from English speaking West African countries will be recruited for participation in this qualitative study. The women will participate in a 60-minute face-to-face interview. Upon completion of this study, the date obtained will be analyzed with the goal of designing and constructing a questionnaire reflecting areas of health and wellbeing concerns for African immigrant women. Development and use of such a questionnaire will aid clinicians in providing culturally competent health care and social services.

 

2002 Women's Health Research Grant
"Folate, Smoking, Race & Cervical Cancer Risk"
Principal Investigator: Capri-Mara Fillmore, MD, MPH, MSc, Assistant Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI

The WWHF Women's Health Research Grant will allow Dr. Fillmore to expand her research to include a true control group in the study, thus raising the likelihood of finding statistically significant results. In her application, Dr. Fillmore wrote: "[Cervical] cancer deaths account for 4% of Wisconsin African American Women's cancer deaths as opposed to 1% of Wisconsin Caucasian Women's death, a four-fold difference. The study of race, smoke exposure, and folate in cervical cancer risk could increase commitment to smoking cessation or suggest the use of nutrition supplements in prevention, as well as suggest an explanation (and possible intervention) for racial disparities in cervical cancer and for other cancers in which both smoking and folate are implicated."

2000 Women's Health Research Grant
"Women's Experiences With Myocardial Infarction"
Principal Investigator: Beth Rogers PhD, Associate Professor,
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Beth Rodgers, PhD, recipient of the 2000 Women's Health Research Grant, carried out a qualitative research project titled "Women's Experiences with Myocardial Infarction" in three Milwaukee area hospitals. We proudly present a summary of Dr. Rodger's research and findings.

Download the Research Report Summary (18 kb)

 

1998 Women's Health Research Grant
"Reducing Injury Among the Elderly Following Hospitalization"
Principal Investigator: Dr. Jane Mahoney, UW-Hospital

To combat the incidence of falls following hospitalization, Dr. Mahoney worked on a regimen of modest exercises that nursing staff and others can help patients perform in the hospital: standing, walking, leg lifts, ankle pumps, and other low-impact movements to help keep muscles and bones in shape. The need for this research was precipitated by the finding that patients over age 65 experience a three-fold increase of risk for taking a fall after hospitalization. Additionally, 10% of those falls are serious enough to result in another hospital stay. Bed rest may be partially responsible, decreasing balance, causing lost muscle strength and mass, and dwindling bone mass. The exercise program described above will help combat the effects of bed rest and hopefully reduce injuries among elderly patients in the future.