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

3. 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

4. What is “Women’s Health” ?

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

6. 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

7. What are the implications for public health policy?

8. Need to look at Medical Issues & Non-medical Issues

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

10. Non-medical issues Economic Educational Sociologic Cultural Environmental

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

12. Knowledge/research Understand biologic and physiologic differences Understand therapeutic responses

13. Education of medical community Continuing Professional Education Medical school curricula

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

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

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

17. Understanding health behavior and attitudes

18. 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