Ludeman Family Center for Women's Health Research

09/25/2025

This week in news: A recent study shows how intense light therapy may lower risk of myocardial injuries after non-cardiac surgery. The study, published in the Annals of Translational Medicine, found that the therapy can increase a critical protein that protects heart tissue while lowering levels of troponin, a protein indicating heart damage that’s linked to higher mortality in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Read the full story here and discover how this could be a promising strategy to reduce myocardial injury to patients one day.

https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/intense-light-therapy-may-lower-risk-of-myocardial-injuries-after-non-cardiac-surgery

09/24/2025

09/21/2025

A fascinating new article from features Ludeman Center researcher, Andrew Novick, MD, PhD, and his search for answers to why there is a higher depression rate in women. In explaining s*x differences in mental health to his psychiatry students, he describes how an archaeological find of dinosaur bones at the bottom of a wide ravine were only of adolescent male dinosaurs who falsely thought they could jump across the ravine. The lesson here being that the effects of s*x are rather important in shaping behavior. Read the full Q&A with Dr. Novick and how mental health disorders affect men and women differently.

https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/s*x-hormones-drive-differences-in-mental-health-disorders?utm_campaign=hormones&utm_source=x&utm_medium=social

09/18/2025

As compared to men, it appears that women may be more susceptible to harm from a specific medication that is commonly prescribed after a heart attack. A new CNN article explores a ground-breaking new study that a class of blood pressure medications called beta-blockers that have been used as a first-line treatment after a heart attack for the past 40 years, doesn’t actually benefit patients who only sustained minimal damage from their heart attack. These findings differed among the s*xes, as well. Researchers found that among females who had minimal damage from a heart attack, those who used beta-blocker medications had a higher risk of hospitalization than females who did not use these medicines. Watch now.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/30/health/heart-attack-beta-blockers-wellness?Date=20250830&Profile=CNN&utm_content=1756555419&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawMkNmVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFCaU52MFNiYVRYUGhLNjZIAR7iH-QmVmh1kvHIHe2y9-7TntCsDDnHlT3WaNUQSnCmLTtNtIMYRhtRGFS-Rw_aem_hNpuicdANz1MFWys1ctHLg

09/18/2025

A new nationwide study with researchers from , Yale School of Medicine and The Ohio State University highlights how digital therapy can support mental health and prevent su***de in high-risk patients. The article features Ludeman Center researcher and professor and chair of the CU Anschutz Department of Psychiatry, Neill Epperson, MD, who says, "these digital tools are a powerful example of how science can evolve to meet patients where they are." With su***de rates continuing to rise, we urgently need new ways to offer support and these tools can provide potentially life-saving help. Read the full article here.

https://news.cuanschutz.edu/news-stories/cu-anschutz-part-of-multi-state-study-smartphone-app-cuts-repeat-su***de-attempts-by-over-half-after-hospital-discharge?utm_campaign=su***de_prevention&utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=social

09/17/2025

DYK that high blood pressure is the #1 preventable risk factor for cardiovascular disease? A new article from the American Heart Association released updated guidelines for high blood pressure for the first time since 2017 with an emphasis on prevention. Some of the key takeaways include maintaining normal blood pressure before, during and after pregnancy, which can help improve health outcomes for both Mom and baby. In addition, early treatment of high blood pressure has been shown to prevent dementia and improve memory and cognition. Learn more here.

https://newsroom.heart.org/news/new-high-blood-pressure-guideline-emphasizes-prevention-early-treatment-to-reduce-cvd-risk

09/12/2025

This week in : Researchers tweaked the famous DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) to test its benefits specifically on glucose levels among people with type 2 diabetes. This modified diet, DASH for Diabetes (DASH4D), still focuses on eating fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins as promoted in the original DASH diet, but DASH4D suggests limiting carbohydrates, like bread and pasta, to be only 45% of total calorie intake, as compared to 55% in the original diet. DASH4D encourages less dietary potassium and more healthy fats like avocados and olive oil. The study showed that participants eating the DASH4D diet had significantly lower mean glucose levels and greater time in the optimal blood glucose range for people with diabetes. Discover more here.

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/dash-style-diet-helps-control-blood-glucose

09/10/2025

September is – let's talk about Polycystic O***y Syndrome , a condition impacting 5 million women in the U.S. Most PCOS patients go untreated for decades, often visiting multiple physicians before diagnosis. The condition impacts not just reproductive health but also heart and mental health.

Learn more about PCOS care from diagnosis to treatment: https://swhr.org/health_focus_area/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/

09/10/2025

Pregnancy brings unique challenges for people with autoimmune diseases – but with early planning, outcomes can be greatly improved CU Anschutz explains.

09/04/2025

Researcher explores how s*x hormones influence mental health disparities between the s*xes and the impact of birth control on women's mood and motivation.

09/02/2025

08/31/2025

Congrats to Ludeman Center researcher, Teri L. Hernandez, PhD, RN, for being the lead author of a recently published article by JAMA Health Forum. This powerful article titled, "The Continued Invisibility of Women in Population Health," explores the importance of studying , including the mental, physical, and social well-being of individuals identifying as women. Dr. Hernandez and co-author, Rosa M. Gonzalez-Guarda, PhD, MPH, RN, discuss the importance of funding that encourages and supports research that considers s*x as a biological factor as well as including under-represented female populations. This impactful outline amplifies the global importance of both rigorous interdiscplinary research to the value of improving representation of women in science. Take a read now!

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama-health-forum/fullarticle/2837333