7 Domains of Women's Health

By The Scope Radio, University of Utah Health

7 Domains of Women's Health episodes

January 09 E101: The Physical Domain of Family Planning
Nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned. Physically preparing for or preventing pregnancy is a central part of family planning, but what that looks like varies widely from person to person.
In the physical domain of family planning, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, open the seven-episode series by breaking down what "family planning" truly means. They explore the physical health factors that influence fertility, the medical considerations for preparing the body for pregnancy, and the full spectrum of contraceptive methods designed to prevent it. Reproductive needs shift across different phases of life; every individual's reproductive life plan is unique, and people can begin shaping a plan that reflects their goals, values, and physical health.
32 min
November 07, 2025 E100: The Spiritual Domain of Friendships
Strong friendships have been shown to reduce loneliness, improve emotional resilience, and even buffer the effects of grief and stress. In moments of birth, loss, illness, and major life transitions, certain friendships take on a deeper, almost sacred role—offering grounding, presence, and meaning when it is needed most.
In the spiritual domain of friendships, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, are joined by Chaplain Susie Nelsen. Together, they explore the friendships that accompany us through profound transitions, the companions who help us make sense of loss and identity, and the rare “spiritual friends” with whom we can speak openly about purpose, belief, and meaning.
33 min
October 31, 2025 E99: The Environmental Domain of Friendships
The spaces we live in—our neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, and even digital worlds—shape not only how we live, but who we know. Environments create or constrain opportunities for connection, and over time, they influence the kinds of friendships we build.
In the environmental domain of friendships, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, explore how geography, mobility, and social infrastructure influence our ability to form and sustain friendships. From the “big sort” that clusters us into like-minded communities to the loss of public spaces that once bridged divides, the conversation asks what it means to make—and maintain—connection in an era of separation.
25 min
October 24, 2025 E98: The Financial Domain of Friendships
Money can strengthen a friendship—or quietly strain it. Whether it is splitting a dinner bill, planning a trip, or navigating big differences in income, finances often bring unspoken tension into even the strongest relationships.
In the financial domain of friendships, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, explore how money influences connection, power dynamics, and trust between friends. They discuss why financial transparency can feel taboo, how generational attitudes toward lending differ, and what happens when income or life stages diverge among friends.
23 min
October 17, 2025 E97: The Intellectual Domain of Friendships
Friendship does not just enrich our emotions—it shapes how we think. Studies show that intellectually engaging conversations with friends can improve cognitive flexibility, creativity, and even long-term brain health. Yet in an age of constant scrolling and algorithm-driven feeds, genuine intellectual exchange is becoming increasingly rare.
In the intellectual domain of friendships, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, explore how true friends challenge our ideas, expand our perspectives, and make us think in new ways. From bonds formed through shared learning to the role of disagreement in deepening connection, they talk about the transformative power of intellectual curiosity between friends—and what we lose when technology replaces real dialogue.
30 min
October 10, 2025 E96: The Social Domain of Friendships
Friendship is central to human connection. Yet, the ways we form, maintain, and redefine friendships evolve throughout life. From imaginary friends in childhood to the deep bonds of adulthood, our social connections shape who we are and how we navigate the world. But what happens when friendships drift apart—or when digital and artificial “friendships” blur the lines of real connection?
In the social domain of friendship, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, explore how friendships develop, change, and endure across the lifespan. They discuss the neuroscience of social bonding, the effects of modern technology and social media, and why genuine reciprocity remains the foundation of meaningful relationships.
30 min
October 03, 2025 E95: The Emotional Domain of Friendships
Friendship is one of the most powerful regulators of emotion—shaping how we love, grieve, connect, and heal. Strong social ties can reduce anxiety, strengthen emotional resilience, and even increase life expectancy. Yet the ways we express and sustain those bonds often differ across gender, life stage, and circumstance.
Scot Singpiel and Mitch Sears—co-hosts of Who Cares About Men’s Health—join Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, PhD, in the emotional domain of friendships for a conversation about the emotional layers of human connection. They explore how emotional openness and the courage to be vulnerable shape the friendships that sustain us.
45 min
September 26, 2025 E94: The Physical Domain of Friendships
When friends connect, the body responds in powerful ways. Research shows that close social bonds can lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, and even help regulate glucose levels. Studies also reveal that friends’ brainwaves, breathing patterns, and heart rates can synchronize during shared experiences.
In the physical domain of friendships, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, explore how our bodies react when we are with friends—from the calming effects of a hug to the contagious nature of laughter and tears. The conversation highlights the biology behind connection and the ways physical presence and touch play a vital role in human well-being.
22 min
August 22, 2025 E93: The Spiritual Domain of the Fourth Trimester
Across the globe, families welcome newborns with sacred traditions—such as baptism, christening, naming ceremonies, or rituals of blessing—that honor both the child and the family’s spiritual journey. At the same time, more than 2 million babies are stillborn each year worldwide, a heartbreaking reality that leaves lasting emotional and spiritual impacts on families. These moments of joy and grief underscore the deep role spirituality plays in the postpartum experience.
Rana Jawish, MD, assistant professor of psychiatry and faculty lead for the Stillbirth Center of Excellence, joins Kirtly Jones, MD, in the spiritual domain of the fourth trimester. They discuss the role of faith and culture in welcoming newborns, and how compassionate care can provide meaning and healing for families navigating profound loss in the fourth trimester.
26 min
August 15, 2025 E92: The Environmental Domain of the Fourth Trimester
Only one in four infants in the U.S. is exclusively breastfed for the first six months, despite strong evidence linking breastfeeding to better health outcomes for both mother and baby. Success often depends less on individual determination and more on the environments that shape a mother’s daily life—home, workplace, and community.
Lactation specialist Anna Burch, RN, joins Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, in the environmental domain of the fourth trimester to explore how surroundings influence postpartum experiences. The conversation examines what makes an ideal feeding environment at home, the impact of workplace and public space accommodations, and how stressors such as noise, lighting, and privacy can affect milk production.
39 min

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Conversations for all the women in your life. Women’s health encompasses far more than the issues discussed in a doctor’s office—it is deeply intertwined with the unique experiences, challenges, and…