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Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH
Higgins talks about crisis pregnancy centers with Cap Times

Higgins talks about crisis pregnancy centers with Cap Times

A recent article in the Cap Times dives into crisis pregnancy centers in Wisconsin and nationwide. “Do crisis pregnancy centers help women or mislead them?” discusses the importance of understanding what crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) are and offer in light of statewide abortion restrictions.Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, director of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Pop... more
Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Cutler and Higgins talk about impact of abortion restrictions with National Public Radio

Cutler and Higgins talk about impact of abortion restrictions with National Public Radio

A recent story on National Public Radio profiled a Wisconsin woman whose pregnancy plans changed in light of abortion restrictions in the state. UW Ob-Gyn Assistant Professor Abby Cutler, MD, and Division of Reproductive and Population Health and UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity (CORE) Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, both added perspective to the story.Cutler talke... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
CORE researchers publish conference abstracts in Contraception

CORE researchers publish conference abstracts in Contraception

Faculty, researchers and trainees in the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity brought posters and presentations to the 2022 Society of Family Planning annual meeting in Baltimore, MD in December. Three abstracts presented at the conference were published in Contraception!Characterizing physician concerns with publicly supporting abortion – AS Cutler, LT Swan, M Lands, NB... more
Reproductive and Population Health Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Publication Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Laura Jacques Jenny Higgins Madison Lands
Swan, Cutler, Higgins in publish study in AJOG

Swan, Cutler, Higgins in publish study in AJOG

A new article in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology uses data from a 2019 survey of UW SMPH physicians to assess physicians’ understanding of whether contraceptive methods work by causing abortion. Laura Swan, PhD, LCSW, postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Population Health Sciences Green Inequality Lab, is first author on the study.In “Physic... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Reproductive and Population Health Publication Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
In the News: Higgins talks about state of reproductive health care access

In the News: Higgins talks about state of reproductive health care access

Since the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in June 2022, overturning the constitutionally protected right to abortion, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health and UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH spoke with several news outlets to answer questions... more
Reproductive and Population Health Jenny Higgins
Higgins named new Jeanne Bissell Professor in Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice

Higgins named new Jeanne Bissell Professor in Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice

Please help us congratulate UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity and UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, who was recently named the next Jeanne Bissell Professor in Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice! Higgins and Bissell, longtime supporter of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn, were honored at the first-ever UW Schoo... more
Reproductive and Population Health Jenny Higgins
Higgins discusses abortion misinformation with CNN

Higgins discusses abortion misinformation with CNN

After the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade in June, misinformation about self-managed abortions has blown up on social media. CNN reporters spoke with experts across the country, including UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity and UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, about self-managed abortion (SMA)... more
Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
In the News: Higgins shares insights in post-Roe reporting

In the News: Higgins shares insights in post-Roe reporting

Since the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on June 24, overturning the constitutionally protected right to abortion, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health and UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH spoke with several news outlets to answer questions a... more
Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Cutler and Higgins discuss possible impacts of Roe decision on physician training

Cutler and Higgins discuss possible impacts of Roe decision on physician training

A recent article in the Wisconsin Examiner investigated potential difficulties for physician training programs after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.“Medical training programs teach abortion procedures. What happens if abortion is outlawed?” outlines the national standards for training set by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), whi... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Higgins discusses future of abortion research in challenging atmosphere with STAT

Higgins discusses future of abortion research in challenging atmosphere with STAT

A new article in STAT talks to researchers who specialize in reproductive health about what the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 24 decision overturning Roe v. Wade might mean for research about abortion in the future.In “These researchers study abortion in states likely to ban it. That will make their jobs even harder”, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health and ... more
Reproductive and Population Health Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Women’s Healthcast: The State of Abortion Rights in 2022, with Jenny Higgins, PhD

Women’s Healthcast: The State of Abortion Rights in 2022, with Jenny Higgins, PhD

Sometime in the next few weeks, the United States Supreme Court will issue a decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Their decision in this case could have huge effects on abortion legality and abortion access across the country.To share information about today’s landscape of abortion access in Wisconsin, what the Supreme Court decision could mean,... more
Reproductive and Population Health Outreach Podcast Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins Jacquelyn Askins Rob Garza
Wisconsin Watch interviews UW Ob-Gyn faculty on abortion laws

Wisconsin Watch interviews UW Ob-Gyn faculty on abortion laws

Wisconsin Watch, a nonprofit news organization, recently published two articles about the complex future of abortion in Wisconsin and physician opinions on why abortion is a necessary part of health care. UW Ob-Gyn faculty shared their expertise in both articles.“Wisconsin faces a ‘tangled series’ of abortion laws dating back to 1849 as it heads into a possible post-Roe futu... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Higgins talks about physician perspectives on abortion with Here and Now

Higgins talks about physician perspectives on abortion with Here and Now

On Wisconsin Public Television’s Here and Now, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health Director and UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH shared data from a study of physician opinions on abortion.Higgins joined Here and Now on May 20 to answer questions about how supportive physicians are of abortion access, how they thin... more
Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Higgins quoted in article about mobile abortion clinics

Higgins quoted in article about mobile abortion clinics

As questions arise about the future of abortion access in many states, health care providers are pursuing creative solutions to provide abortion care to more patients. In “Abortion care on wheels”, the Wisconsin Examiner profiled Just the Pill, an online, nonprofit clinic that dispenses medication abortion. Just the Pill is working on rolling out mobile clinics in many state... more
Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Higgins discusses potential impact of US Supreme Court decision on reproductive health care in Wisconsin with WTMJ

Higgins discusses potential impact of US Supreme Court decision on reproductive health care in Wisconsin with WTMJ

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health Director and UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH spoke with WTMJ about some possible implications for reproductive health care in Wisconsin if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.In the interview, Higgins fielded questions about whether miscarriage is distinguishabl... more
Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
In the News: Higgins discusses Supreme Court decision and abortion restrictions

In the News: Higgins discusses Supreme Court decision and abortion restrictions

Since the May 2 leak of a draft U.S. Supreme Court memo that suggests the court’s intention to overturn Roe v. Wade later this summer, researchers and scholars have shared insights on the current landscape of abortion access in the country, and potential implications for the coming Supreme Court decision.UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity and UW Ob-Gyn Division of Repr... more
Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Higgins co-authors study in The Lancet Regional Health

Higgins co-authors study in The Lancet Regional Health

A new study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas looks at movement across state lines to obtain abortion care in 2017. UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity and Division of Reproductive and Population Health Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH co-authored the article.“Abortion travel within the United States: An observational study of cross-state movement to ob... more
Reproductive and Population Health Publication Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Study published in AJOG by UW CORE team examines contraceptive satisfaction and sexual side effects

Study published in AJOG by UW CORE team examines contraceptive satisfaction and sexual side effects

A new study in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology uses data from a longitudinal cohort study to examine whether sexual acceptability of a contraceptive method predicts contraceptive satisfaction at three months.“A prospective analysis of the relationship between sexual acceptability and contraceptive satisfaction over time”, by Renee Kramer, PhD, MPH, UW Colla... more
Reproductive and Population Health Publication Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Higgins authors article in Journal of Sex Research

Higgins authors article in Journal of Sex Research

A new article in the Journal of Sex Research by UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health and UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity (CORE) Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH introduces the concept of “erotic equity” and examines the connections between socioeconomics and sexual wellbeing.In “Socioeconomics and Erotic Inequity: A Theoretical Overview and Narra... more
Reproductive and Population Health Publication Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins Madison Lands Mfonobong Ufot
Higgins, Senderowicz publish study in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health

Higgins, Senderowicz publish study in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health

A new study in the journal Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health by UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH and Health Disparities Research Scholar Leigh Senderowicz, ScD examines connections between economic resources and sexual wellbeing.“Sex, poverty, and public health: Connections between sexual wellbeing and eco... more
Reproductive and Population Health Publication Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Health Disparities Research Scholars Jenny Higgins Leigh Senderowicz
CORE study published in SSM – Population Health

CORE study published in SSM – Population Health

A study in the latest issue of SSM – Population Health examines physicians’ knowledge of referral for abortion care. UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, as well as former UW Ob-Gyn members Cynthie Wautlet, MD and Nicholas Schmuhl, PhD, are co-authors on the study. “Willing but unable: Physicians' referral knowledge as barriers to abortion ca... more
Reproductive and Population Health Publication Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Higgins and Jacques publish in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Higgins and Jacques publish in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

A recent article published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health by UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, Laura Jacques, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, and co-authors, used anonymized data from an online forum to examine how cost-related barriers affect peoples’ ability ... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Reproductive and Population Health Publication Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins Laura Jacques

Save the Dates: UW Ob-Gyn 2022 Research Events

Save the dates for three UW Department of Ob-Gyn research events in 2022:February 24, 2022 - Resident Research DayFeaturing a keynote presentation by Lisa Hollier, MD, MPH, professor of ob-gyn at Baylor College of Medicine and former president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Resident research presentations by PGY-4 residents John Poehlmann, MD, an... more
Gynecologic Oncology Maternal-Fetal Medicine Reproductive and Population Health Education Research Residency Fellowship Events Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins Jennifer Jacobson Laura Jacques Ushma Patel Daniel Pellicer John Poehlmann Shannon Rush Vienna Tran Matthew Wagar Jordan Ward
Higgins publishes in SSM – Population Health

Higgins publishes in SSM – Population Health

A publication currently available online in the journal SSM – Population Health examines physicians’ knowledge of referral for abortion care. UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, as well as former UW Ob-Gyn members Cynthie Wautlet, MD and Nicholas Schmuhl, PhD, are co-authors on the study.“Willing but unable: Physicians' referral knowledge as... more
Reproductive and Population Health Publication Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Higgins talks about US Supreme Court case Dobbs v Jackson on NBC15

Higgins talks about US Supreme Court case Dobbs v Jackson on NBC15

In early December, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case involving a Mississippi state law that banned abortions after 15 weeks. UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD spoke with NBC-15 about what that case could mean for abortion access in Wisconsin. A decision in the case is exp... more
Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Higgins to lead Division of Reproductive and Population Health

Higgins to lead Division of Reproductive and Population Health

The UW Department of Ob-Gyn is pleased to announce that Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH will assume the role of Director of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, effective September 1, 2021. Dr. Higgins joined the faculty of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Gender and Women’s Studies in 2012. In 2017, she joined our Department of Obstetric... more
Reproductive and Population Health Jenny Higgins

Grand Rounds: Heisler and Higgins present Equity Badger Bytes

On July 15, 2021, researchers in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn presented a Badger Bytes research Grand Rounds. Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, of the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, presented “Economics and Erotic Inequity: Poverty and Sexual Wellbeing.” During her presentation, Higgins defined erotic equity and shared main findings from the literature and a new empi... more
Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Grand Rounds Reproductive and Population Health Jenny Higgins Christine Heisler
Study by UW CORE researchers published in Contraception

Study by UW CORE researchers published in Contraception

A new study in Contraception uses data from a survey of UW School of Medicine and Public Health physicians to assess physician support for abortion access and abortion providers. The study also examines physicians’ perceptions of their peers’ attitudes towards abortion and abortion providers. “Physician attitudes about abortion and their willingness to consult in abortion c... more
Publication Research Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Laurel Rice Jenny Higgins
Higgins published in JAMA Internal Medicine

Higgins published in JAMA Internal Medicine

A new study co-authored by UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD and published in JAMA Internal Medicine examines the association of sexual satisfaction and self-reported sexual acceptability with continued contraceptive use over time. “Association Between Patients’ Perceptions of the Sexual Acceptability of Contraceptive Methods and Continued... more
Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Reproductive and Population Health Research Publication Jenny Higgins
Rice, Higgins make case for health care provider proficiency with contraceptives in Health Affairs blog

Rice, Higgins make case for health care provider proficiency with contraceptives in Health Affairs blog

UW Ob-Gyn Department Chair Laurel Rice, MD, and UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, co-authored an article for Health Affairs outlining the reasons it’s critical that health care providers seek out accurate information on contraceptive care. Inaccuracies or misunderstandings about how birth control works shape public perception and affect he... more
Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Reproductive and Population Health Publication Laurel Rice Jenny Higgins
Higgins publishes on contraceptive satisfaction in Journal of Sex Research

Higgins publishes on contraceptive satisfaction in Journal of Sex Research

Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, director of the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity and member of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, published a new study in the Journal of Sex Research. “Sexual Functioning, Satisfaction, and Well-Being Among Contraceptive Users: A Three-Month Assessment From the HER Salt Lake Contraceptive Initiative” followed new ... more
Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Reproductive and Population Health Research Publication Jenny Higgins

Higgins, Schmuhl, Wautlet, Rice publish in American Journal of Public Health

Findings from a UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity study on how doctors view access to abortion has been published in the December issue of the American Journal of Public Health. In the research-based editorial “The Importance of Physician Concern and Expertise in Increasing Abortion Health Care Access in Local Contexts”, Jenny Higgins, PhD, Nicholas Schmuhl, PhD, Cynt... more
Reproductive and Population Health Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins Nicholas Schmuhl Laurel Rice
Higgins discusses CORE research on Wide Awake in Wisconsin podcast

Higgins discusses CORE research on Wide Awake in Wisconsin podcast

On the final episode of Wide Awake in Wisconsin, a podcast from the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health, UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH appeared to discuss UW CORE research on policy impacts! In the interview, Higgins talks about ongoing CORE research, and how CORE projects help inform policy decisions and development in Wisconsi... more
Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins
Higgins published in Contraception

Higgins published in Contraception

UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD published the article “Beyond Safety and Efficacy: Sexuality-Related Priorities and Their Associations with Contraceptive Method Selection” in Contraception!In the study, Higgins and colleagues assessed contraceptive preferences in people selecting new methods, and gauged whether (and to what degree) sexual... more
Reproductive and Population Health Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Publication Jenny Higgins