WOMEN’S HEALTH: Public Health Issues Presentation by Miriam A. Bender, Chief Executive Officer Women’s Health Virginia, Inc. November 19, 2001

WOMEN’S HEALTH VIRGINIA a non-profit organization to promote and improve women and girls’ health in Virginia through education, research, information and a statewide communications network

What is “Women’s Health” ?

Why focus on Women’s health as a distinct concern regarding public health?

Women are different medically Women’s roles in families makes women’s health a special concern Significance of women’s health and health care in economy

What are the implications for public health policy?

Need to look at Medical Issues & Non-medical Issues

Medical issues Knowledge/research Education of medical community Education of women and girls

Non-medical issues Economic Educational Sociologic Cultural Environmental

Government Private sector –B–Business –H–Health care industry –N–Non-profit organizations At the federal, state and local level Involve action by:

Knowledge/research Understand biologic and physiologic differences Understand therapeutic responses

Education of medical community Continuing Professional Education Medical school curricula

Educating women and girls about their health Be active participants in their health care and be better health care consumers

Non-medical issues Availability, cost and use of health care and health insurance

Addressing health and well being as part of women’s lives

Understanding health behavior and attitudes

Issues for the future  Keeping a special focus on women’s health  Addressing women’s health comprehensively  Continuing and increasing public and private investment  Developing policies and programs that meet women and girls’ needs