The HER Foundation has accomplished a lot in 2022! We are thankful for the support of our donors and community and want to share the highlights that made this HER’s best year yet!

Read the HER 2021-2022 Impact Report

This is what our 22nd year of Helping Generations survive Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) looked like.

Education Program

  • Met with senior staff at US Health and Human Services
  • Collaboration with Texas Health and Human Services on HG policies and strategies
  • Presented to
    • WIC Maryland
    • Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern NJ
  • Hosted a booth at ACOG and educated 100’s of doctors on HER clinical tools
  • Created new Tools:
  • Distributed 200 Provider Information Packets at NASPOG (North American Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics & Gynecology) conference
  • Began educational and support program for Jewish Communities
  • Released 2 resources in Hebrew
  • Developed professional education program for 2023 launch

Support Program

  • Supported 1,000’s of HG sufferers and their families through support groups, calls, and treatment information
  • Offered 3,000+ hours (or over 8 hours/day) of personal 1-1 support
  • Offered peer support to 9,000+ social media support members
  • Engaged community on 8 social media platforms
  • Launched Support Survey to evaluate our services
  • Expansion of our Peer Support Program

Advocacy Program

  • Launched bimonthly “HER Advocacy Newsletter” to DC representatives
  • Engaged in ongoing discussions with Texas Health and Human Services
  • Named as an Office of the Secretary (HHS) Strategic Partner
  • Signed on to legislation:
    • Pregnant Workers Fairness Act – Passed 12/22/2022
    • Stillbirth Health Improvement & Education (SHINE) for Autumn Act
    • TRIUMPH for New Moms Act
    • Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act
    • Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act

Research Program

HER is finding answers to questions about HG. 2022 has been a busy year in HER research. We published two studies and one summary, and the team gave 5 conference presentations. We also have one letter accepted, and one under review in scientific journals, an invitation to present our HG research at a Keystone Symposium, an abstract accepted for presentation at SMFM, as well as three abstracts being reviewed for presentation at ACOG. Ongoing research includes studying GDF15 in patients hospitalized with HG, studying whether fetal/child genes affect HG recurrence risk, and studying trends and socioeconomic disparities in HG treatment.

Publications

  • “Whole-exome sequencing uncovers new variants in GDF15 associated with hyperemesis gravidarum,” BJOG, 2022. This study of a different population with a different method confirms our earlier study finding that GDF15 is the greatest genetic risk factor for HG.
  • “Patterns of Use and Self-reported Effectiveness of Cannabis for Hyperemesis Gravidarum,” Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd, 2022. More respondents reported NVP symptom relief and weight gain with ondansetron than other antiemetics, but many were still unable to gain weight within two weeks of their first dose. Cannabis products may be perceived as a more effective alternative, but more research is required to understand its mechanism and safety.
  • “Pregnant, Miserable, and Starving in 21st Century America,” AJOG Global Reports, 2022. HG causes enormous misery and numerous adverse outcomes for mother and child. These patients need early identification, increased provider awareness, advocacy resources, routine vitamins, and supportive care.

Presentations

  • ICHG (International Colloquium on Hyperemesis Gravidarum) UK: “Whole-exome sequencing uncovers new variants in GDF15 associated with hyperemesis gravidarum.” (Speaker)
  • RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) India: “Hyperemesis Gravidarum: Causes, Consequences, Care.” (Speaker)
  • ASHG (American Society Human Genetics) USA: “Large-scale genome-wide association study meta-analysis of Hyperemesis Gravidarum confirms the nausea and vomiting hormone gene GDF15 is the greatest genetic risk factor and identifies additional risk loci.” (Speaker)
  • ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) USA: “Genetic predictors of ondansetron effectiveness and recurrence risk for hyperemesis gravidarum.” (Poster presentation)
  • ACOG, USA: “Association of GDF15-GFRAL-RET pathway with Hyperemesis Gravidarum confirmed by sequencing families.” (Poster presentation)

Awareness Campaigns

HGAM HG Awareness Month (May) was a record breaker. We had more community involvement than ever before, and #HGimpact stories were shared across the globe! Our message is being heard, and our community is growing. As the Global Voice of HG, the HER Foundation is committed to research, support, advocacy, and education.

Honor Maria

November 25th, we honored Maria, a mom who died of preventable complications of HG. Many shared their 1 MOM picture with their index finger in the air because 1 Morbidity Or Mortality is 2 Many! Engagement with other maternal health organizations was strong and included Dr. Shalon’s MAP, TTTS Foundation, Stop The Clot (NBCA),  2020 Mom, March for Moms, and MMHLA. Our goal to eradicate severe HG and its complications is making progress.

International Partnerships

Our global program partnerships continued to thrive in 2022. We also continue to develop our connections with African Health Now, Action on Preeclampsia Ghana, and San Diego International Birthing Project.

Ambassador Council

Our Ambassadors bring influencers and celebrities to #TeamHER. These storytellers promote HG awareness and give a voice to those who may not feel heard during HG. Our community is stronger because of them.

Finally, we welcomed Amy Schumer, Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-nominated standup comedian, actress, writer, producer, and director to HER’s Board of Directors.

Thank you for being part of HER’s future success in eradicating severe HG and adverse outcomes.

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