While incidence of childhood asthma has doubled in the last 20 years, Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says some studies suggest eating cold-water fish could be a way for pregnant mothers to help their children avoid asthma. Find out how some of these studies were conducted with pregnant mothers and fish oil, and learn some practical tips for including more fish oil in your diet.

A recent study by JAMA Internal Medicine finds that older people with female doctors generally have lower mortality and hospital readmission rates. Women’s health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says after a closer look, the study found only a slight difference for patients whose doctors were either male or female. But she suggests women doctors tend to practice physician care differently than male doctors. Find out what some of these differences are.

Is your outlook on life generally optimistic or pessimistic? Studies in recent years indicate optimistic people tend to be happier, and healthier. So what's the secret to being happy? It's no secret at all, actually, according to women’s expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones. In this episode, Dr. Jones refreshes your mind on eight points that make for living a happier and healthier life.

This week’s listener question is about whether or not you should stop taking birth control once you enter menopause. According to women’s expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones, “Yes, you can stop - if you are actually in menopause.” Dr. Jones tells you how to know when you’re in menopause and when it’s safe to stop using birth control.

Both men and women can shrink as they get older because of lost bone density, but this can be more apparent with older women. Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says normal shrinking can affect older women as their back vertebrae get flatter over time. But shrinkage can also cause older women to have bent-over backs, which can cause discomfort and more health problems. Learn what women can do to keep their bones robust to avoid shrinking later in life.

The chances of survival for very premature babies has dramatically increased over the past 30 years, but preterm births are still hard to prevent. Women’s health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says nearly 1 in 10 babies in the U.S. will be born prematurely, and premature babies can also mean expensive medical costs. Learn what health conditions or interventions — such as in vitro fertilization — can lead to preterm births and how the risks of prematurity can be treated.

Anxiety is potentially the most common mental health concern in the U.S. and it’s on the rise. Forty million Americans have been diagnosed with anxiety disorders, and women are more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder than men. Women’s expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones explores several explanations of why this is.

Parents sometimes worry their young daughters may be starting their periods or developing breasts too early. Women’s health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones reminds us what puberty is and when it normally occurs for young girls. She also talks about when parents should consult a pediatrician if they're concerned, what conditions or activities are commonly associated with early puberty, and what parents can do for their daughters to make sure they stay healthy during puberty.

On this episode of Seven Questions for a Specialist, The Scope speaks with Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones, OB-GYN at University of Utah Health Care, about what you can expect with your pregnancy. How much weight will you gain? Can you paint your nails while pregnant? Dr. Jones answers these question and more.

Most Americans think talking to people close to them about the end of life is important. Yet, few of us actually do it. Women’s health expert Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones says women often are the ones expected to begin "The Conversation" with their loved ones. The holidays are an opportunity to have important discussions about end-of-life care. Dr. Jones recommends several organizations with resources to help you begin talking about this important issue with family or close friends.