Female infertility, including tubal factor infertility, is a major public health concern worldwide. Most cases of tubal factor infertility are attributable to untreated sexually transmitted diseases that ascend along the reproductive tract and are capable of causing tubal inflammation, damage, and scarring. Evidence has consistently demonstrated the effects of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae as pathogenic bacteria involved in reproductive tract morbidities including tubal factor infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease. There is limited evidence in the medical literature that other sexually transmitted organisms, including Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, and other microorganisms within the vaginal microbiome may be important factors involved in the pathology of infertility. Further investigation into the vaginal microbiome and other potential pathogens is necessary in order to identify preventable causes of tubal factor infertility. Improved clinical screening and prevention of ascending infection may provide a solution to the persistent burden of infertility.

Significant public health disparities exist surrounding teen and unplanned pregnancy in the U.S. Women of color and those with lower education and socioeconomic status are at much greater risk of unplanned pregnancy and the resulting adverse outcomes. Unplanned pregnancies reduce educational and career opportunities and may contribute to socioeconomic deprivation and widening income disparities. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC), including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants, offer the opportunity to change the default from drifting into parenthood to planned conception. LARC methods are forgettable; once placed they offer highly effective, long-term pregnancy prevention. Increasing evidence in the medical literature demonstrates the population benefits of use of these methods. However, barriers to more widespread use of LARC methods persist, and include educational, access, and cost barriers. With increasing insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act, and more widespread, no-cost coverage of methods, more and more women are choosing IUDs and the contraceptive implant. Increasing the use of highly effective contraceptive methods may provide one solution to the persistent problem of the health disparities of unplanned and teen pregnancies in the U.S., and improve women and children's health.

25 fetal lambs with a mean gestational age of 139 days were maintained in the fetal state by extracorporeal gas exchange for periods of 1–11 h and intentionally terminated at a mean of 4 h. Pao₂, Paco₂, pH, umbilical blood flow, heart rate, arterial blood pressure, blood glucose and serum electrolytes were maintained within the fetal range. The hematocrit of 30%, was 25% below in utero values due to dilution with priming blood. Hemolysis occurred at a rate of 2 mg hemoglobin/100 ml plasma/h, with a mean drop in hematocrit of 6% in 4 h. Metabolic acidosis was the most common problem. The cardiac output, measured in five lambs using radioactive microspheres, was 65% of in utero values. The fractional distribution appeared normal. It is hypothesized that mild tissue hypoxia, secondary to the reduced cardiac output and reduced oxygen capacity of the blood, was the most likely source of the metabolic acidosis.

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