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CONTACT: Seth Boffeli, (608) 266-1683
WOMEN'S HEALTH WEEK OBSERVED IN WISCONSIN
May 9-15 is Women's Health Week
MADISON-State health officials today praised the important role women
play in keeping Wisconsin a healthy, strong and safe place to live, but noted that because many
women are busy caring for others or forging careers, they may often
overlook their own health.
“Women’s
Health Week is a time all of us can work to ensure conditions and services
are available to help women live better longer,” said Dr. Seth Foldy,
State Health Officer. “While women in Wisconsin are generally healthy, some key health disparities exist. Wisconsin is a
leader in the percentage of people with health insurance, but poverty is
more common among women, and many women of color, young women and
low-income women are exposed to health risks or don’t get care to
prevent health problems.”
Some
health issues that particularly effect women include breast, cervical,
uterine and ovarian cancer, depression and other mental health issues,
domestic violence, sexual abuse, unintended pregnancy, sexually
transmitted infections, osteoporosis, arthritis and auto-immune
conditions. Increasing tobacco use among women is creating higher rates of
lung cancer, and many other diseases. Rates of heart disease,
stroke, cancer and diabetes are increasing and could pose a greater
challenge as women age.
“While
we encourage women to take charge of their health, men have a role in this
too,” said Foldy. “Men can be supportive by doing their part to ensure
a safe and healthy environment for our loved ones.”
The
Department of Health Services has a number of programs and initiatives
that help women and their families:
- Wisconsin
Well Woman Program (WWWP) provides health-screening services to women
with little or no health insurance coverage.
- Women,
Infants and Children (WIC) provides supplemental nutritious foods,
nutrition and breastfeeding information, and referral to other health
and nutrition services to help mothers and their young children obtain
healthy and nutritious foods.
- FoodShare is
also a supplemental program that helps people with limited money buy
the food they need for good health.
- BadgerCare Plus
for children and families is a health insurance coverage plan that can
provide services for women who are pregnant, children and eligible
parents.
- Family
Planning Waiver provides family planning and screening for cancers and
sexually-transmitted diseases to women and men age 15 through 44, who
meet federal income requirements.
For
more information on issues affecting women’s health, visit the Women's
Health Web page: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/womenshealth/
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Last Revised: July 12, 2010 |
