OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

About the Office on Women’s Health


The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) in sex- and gender-specific approaches. The 

the U.S. Department of Health and Human Director of the Office is a Deputy Assistant 

Services (HHS) was established in 1991 to Secretary for Health [DASH (WH)] who 

improve women’s health. Simply put, reports to the Assistant Secretary for Health. 

OWH works to improve the health and well The Office also advises HHS Secretary 

being of all U.S. women and girls. To Michael Leavitt on the scientific, medical, 

achieve that long-term goal, OWH focuses ethical and policy issues related to the 

womenshealth.gov on the health differences (disparities) advancement of women’s health in the 

1-800-994-9662 between men and women, between boys United States and internationally. 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 and girls, and among populations of women. The OWH has three divisions reporting to 

Differences in health can be a function of the DASH (WH): Division of Policy and 

sex (whether you are male or female), gen- Program Development; Division of 

der, race/ethnicity, age, income, education, Communications; and Division of Program 

disabilities, immigrant status, health insur- Management. The Office also supports a 

ance, culture, and geographic location, Regional Women’s Health Coordinator in 

among many other factors. In 2002, the each of the 10 HHS regional offices. 

population of this country was 281.4 mil- The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) lion. Of that number, almost 51 percent, or promotes women’s health through its four 143.4 million, are females. More than 29 

percent of these females, or 42.1 million,

belong to racial and ethnic minority

groups1. They encompass five major

basic functions. 

1. Coordinating and Promoting 

Collaborations among DHHS 

groups: African American/Black, Agencies and Offices: OWH serves as 

Hispanic/Latina, Asian, American the coordinating office for women's 

Indian/Alaska Native, and Native health initiatives across the agencies of 

Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander3. HHS, including the National Institutes 

of Health (NIH), the Food and Drug Although women in minority populations Administration (FDA), the Centers for experience many of the same health prob- Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lems as White women, as a group, they are and other agencies and offices. in poorer health, they use fewer health services, and they continue to suffer dispropor- 2. Providing Information on Research, 

tionately from premature death, disease, and Prevention and Services to Assist 

disabilities. Many also face tremendous Decision-Makers: OWH convenes 

social, economic, cultural, and other barri- and consults with federal departments, 

ers to achieving optimal health. Women and the scientific community, professional 

girls in underserved populations are the organizations, and consumer groups to 

focus of OWH activities. support and advance women’s health. 

Currently functioning as a program office 3. Identifying, Developing and 

within the Office of Public Health and Supporting Model Programs and 

Science (OPHS), the Office on Women’s Innovations in Women’s Health: 

Health serves as the focal point for women’s OWH promotes the development and 

health activities in the Department. Its mis- implementation of model initiatives in 

sion is to provide leadership to promote academic centers and communities all 

health equity for women and girls through over the United States to address the 

health needs of women across different page 1 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

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ages, cultures, races, and ethnic groups, Many of these programs and activities 

including delivery of care to women and extend beyond one function of OWH, into 

education of health care practitioners two, three, or possibly all four of the prioriabout women’s health. ties of the office. For reasons of conven4. Educating Health and Wellness ience, they are listed only one time 

Professionals and Consumers: OWH throughout this document. For example, 

promotes comprehensive health services programs addressing cardiovascular disease 

for women across their lifespan. OWH in women may target underserved women 

also supports the development and use in minority populations, older women, 

of culturally appropriate practices in women living in rural or urban areas, or 

medical education and research, so all other vulnerable women. Furthermore, the 

individuals and communities benefit. same programs may be examples of collaboThrough its efforts, OWH brings reli- rative programs or model demonstration 

able information on hundreds of health programs, education programs, or commutopics to women in every region of nity-based programs implemented by 

America. It also helps consumers, asso- regional staff, or some combination. 

ciations, and organizations voice their 

ideas about the federal government’s 

policies on women’s health. 

1. COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION 

One of OWH’s primary functions is to coordinate women’s health programs with the many 

federal agencies and offices within HHS, including the National Institutes of Health, the 

Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. OWH 

also collaborates with state governments, health care associations, and community-based 

organizations. 

A. OWH COMMITTEES / WORKING 

GROUPS 

HHS COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

● Committee Membership: Seniorlevel representatives from each of the 

federal agencies and offices within 

HHS. 

● Established by: Assistant Secretary for DHHS STEERING COMMITTEE ON 

Health in 1983. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN 

● Chair: HHS OWH ● Established by: Office of the Secretary 

● Purpose: To advise the Assistant in 1995 in response to the Violence 

Secretary for Health and the Deputy Against Women Act.

Assistant Secretary for Health (Women’s ● Chair: HHS OWH 

Health) on current and planned activi- ● Purpose: To coordinate the response of ties across HHS that would safeguard HHS agencies and offices on issues and improve the physical and mental related to family and intimate partner health of all women in the United violence. To coordinate HHS responses States. to recommendations from the National 

Advisory Committee on Violence 

Against Women, chartered by the U.S. 

Department of Justice (DOJ), and cochaired by DOJ and HHS. 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

● Committee Membership: Leaders 

within HHS who have expertise in 

issues such as domestic violence, sexual 

assault and rape, child abuse and neglect, 

elder abuse, substance abuse, mental 

health, minority health, and women’s 

health. 

MINORITY WOMEN’S HEALTH 

PANEL OF EXPERTS 

● Established by: HHS OWH in 1997. 

● Purpose: To eliminate disparities in 

health care. To ensure that the concerns 

of minority women are addressed 

throughout OWH programs, policies, 

and initiatives. To provide input and 

serve as a resource to HHS, the HHS 

Secretary, and OWH in support of 

developing health initiatives for these 

diverse populations of women and 

improving their overall health. 

● Membership: Health professionals, 

advocates, and academicians working in 

communities and in health settings that 

serve racially and ethnically diverse 

women: African American, American 

Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American, 

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 

and Hispanic/Latina. Panel members 

have expertise in a variety of disciplines, 

including young women’s health, 

women and aging, health care delivery 

systems, reproductive health, 

HIV/AIDS, violence against women, 

mental health, substance abuse, 

breast/cervical cancer, diabetes, heart 

disease, immigrant/refugee women’s 

health, public health research, cultural 

competency in women’s health, and 

health policy. 

● Background: OWH established the 

panel after a series of national conferences on the health issues of minority 

women, including its 1997 conference 

“Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Partnerships 

to Improve Minority Women’s Health.” 

FEDERAL INTERAGENCY 

WORKING GROUP ON 

WOMEN’S HEALTH AND THE 

ENVIRONMENT 

● Established by: HHS OWH in 1994. 

● Chair: HHS OWH 

● Purpose: To coordinate the efforts of 

federal agencies that address environmental threats to women’s health. To 

foster collaboration among these agencies. To plan and implement activities 

that address the identified needs. 

● Working Group Membership: The 

group meets quarterly and consists of 

more than 40 representatives from various federal agencies and offices, including the National Institutes of Health, 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention, Environmental Protection 

Agency, Food and Drug 

Administration, Health Resources and 

Services Administration, Department of 

Labor and Department of Defense. 

● Subcommittees: Meet monthly to 

develop, plan and implement multiagency activities that address specific 

areas of interest. Current subcommittees 

address dietary supplements; women 

and tobacco; personal protective equipment (PPE) and ergonomics; mercury; 

and autoimmune diseases such as lupus. 

OWH actively participates in several other 

committees and working groups: Healthy 

People 2010 Steering Committee, the HHS 

Lupus Working Group, the New Freedom 

Initiative Working Group (which promotes 

community living for people with disabilities), and the Federal Partners Working 

Group for Mental Health System 

Transformation. 

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OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

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B. OWH COLLABORATIVE 

PROGRAMS 

SURGEON GENERAL’S WOMEN'S 

MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT 

● Project Background: This effort follows the 2001 Mental Health: Culture, 

Race and Ethnicity—Supplement to Mental 

Health: A Report of the Surgeon General; a 

report on the Surgeon General’s Conference ● Established by: HHS OWH in 2002. on Children’s Mental Health: A National 

● Chair: HHS OWH. Action Agenda in 2000; and the 1999 

● Purpose: OWH is collaborating with Surgeon General’s Report on Mental Health. 

the Office of the Surgeon General, the THE NATIONAL WOMEN’S 

National Institute of Mental Health, and HEALTH INFORMATION CENTER 

the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (NWHIC) Services Administration to prepare 

materials addressing the mental health of ● Developed and Maintained by: HHS 

women and girls. OWH since 1998. Updated continuously. ● Progress: Steps completed thus far 

include concept mapping to develop ● Project: OWH has strengthened HHS 

salient themes; leadership interviews prevention efforts for the public and 

with 25 leaders representing govern- health care professionals by providing 

mental, provider, and consumer organizations in the field of women’s mental

health; facilitated discussions in San

Francisco, CA, Kansas City, MO, and

prevention information tailored to 

women and girls. OWH maintains the 

National Women’s Health Information 

Center (NWHIC), an Information 

Philadelphia, PA, with 41 representa- Referral Center and two websites: one 

tives in the field of women’s mental

health; and a literature review focused

on sex and gender differences in mental

on women’s health (www.womenshealth.gov) and one on girls’ health 

(www.girlshealth.gov). These services 

health across the lifespan. provide reliable, commercial-free health 

information and referrals to consumers ● Workshop: The preparatory work cul- of health care services, health profes- minated in a Surgeon General’s sionals, researchers, educators, and stuWorkshop in November 2005 in dents.

Denver, CO. Mental health professionals, researchers, consumers, and advo- ● Content: Offers a single point-of-entry 

cates were invited to participate in this to more than 4,000 publications and 

1-1/2 day working meeting. 2,000 organizations on more than 800 

health topics. The website contains fact ● Workshop Tasks: Participants identi- sheets; more than 80 FAQs (frequently fied practical tools, research recommen- asked questions); information on dations, and strategies to 1) promote national health education campaigns; a awareness of mental health issues affect- calendar of events; daily news on ing women across the lifespan; 2) women’s health; and online journals and address major gender differences among dictionaries. Enhancements to the 

mental illnesses and in approaches to 

care; 3) provide direction for health professionals and consumers on identifying,

preventing, and treating mental illness;

Information Referral Center include a 

breastfeeding helpline to offer new 

moms support, peer counseling, and 

resources. 

and 4) provide an understanding of the

role of mental health in women’s physi- ● Specialty Sections: Available by topic 

cal health. area, including healthy pregnancy, vio-
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

lence against women, breastfeeding,

smoking cessation, and body image. It

also features specialty sections by topic

area, including for special populations

such as Spanish-speakers, women with

disabilities, minority women, young

women, the media, and health professionals. 

lications, organizations, and web sites 

that inf luential adults can use to help 

address the issues facing adolescent girls. 

An Educators section provides resources 

on the topics covered on the site for 

teachers, school administrators, and 

community leaders. 

● Planned Sections: On negotiation 

● Printed Resources: NWHIC also 

offers a variety of printed materials, 

including the Lifetime to Good Health 

Guide in English, Spanish and Chinese, 

and the Breastfeeding Easy Guide series 

written and designed for general market, 

African-American, Spanish, Chinese, 

and Native American audiences. 

skills, violence against girls, leadership 

skill development, depression, and obesity. 

● Content Availability: All of the content throughout the web site can be 

printed and reproduced for students and 

patients. During FY2006, OWH plans 

to enhance this site and add additional 

● Accessible by: A toll-free telephone sections on media literacy and youth 

call to 1-800-994-9662 (TDD: 1-888- development. 

220-5446) or through the Internet at 

http://www.womenshealth.gov. QUICK HEALTH DATA ONLINE 

Information Specialists are available to ● Developed by: HHS OWH in Region 

answer questions in English and Spanish VIII in 1999, in collaboration with the 

from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through HHS Office of Minority Health. 

Friday, Eastern Standard Time, exclud- Expanded by OWH in 2002. 

ing federal holidays. They can provide ● Content: The database contains exten- publications and referrals to appropriate sive health data for the entire United organizations. States (including both men and 

GirlsHealth WEB SITE women). National, regional, state, and 

county data are available by age, ● Developed and Maintained by: HHS race/ethnicity, and gender, and they can OWH since June 2002. (Visit www.girl- be displayed simultaneously. It includes shealth.gov) mortality and incidence rates for a vari-

● Project Focus: To promote healthy, 

positive behaviors in girls between the 

ages of 10 and 16. The site motivates 

girls to choose healthy behaviors by providing information on fitness, nutrition, 

chronic illness and disability, stress management, relationships with friends and 

family, peer pressure, suicide, drugs, 

self-esteem, and other topics in an interactive, user-friendly format. The web 

ety of chronic and infectious diseases, 

including heart disease and indicators for 

mental health, reproductive health, 

maternal health, violence and abuse, illness prevention, and access to care. 

● Audience: This online tool can benefit 

federal, state, and local health department employees as well as community 

organizations, health professionals, 

researchers, members of the press, and site contains ten modules that address consumers: anyone looking for health these topics and more. statistics. 

● Specialty Sections: A Parents & ● Free Access: Access is free through the Caregivers section provides lists of pub- website of the National Women's 

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OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

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Health Information Center at

www.WomensHealth.gov/statedata.

Users can make their own tables,

graphs, and maps out of any data in the

database. Age-adjusted data and 3-year

averages are included for many of the

health indicators.

letters. Both the U.S. Senate and the 

House of Representatives issued resolutions recognizing National Women's 

Health Week. Media impressions totaled 

more than 241 million, which included 

47.2+ million print impressions and 

37.5+ million radio impressions. 

● Updates: The database is updated Television viewership was estimated at 

annually. 40,000. 

NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH 

WEEK 

● Program Evaluation: In 2006, OWH 

received OMB approval to evaluate 

NWHW. Follow-up surveys have been 

● Developed by: HHS OWH in May developed and sent to all individuals and 

2000. organizations that hosted events and 

● Program: In 2006, OWH celebrated 

the seventh annual National Women’s 

Health Week, May 14 20, 2006. 

health screenings, issued proclamations, 

or helped with outreach efforts. Results 

of this evaluation should be available in 

Coordinated by OWH, this national Fall 2006. 

effort raises awareness about manageable THE WOMAN CHALLENGE 

steps all women can take to improve 

their health. OWH’s Regional ● Developed by: HHS OWH in 2006 in 

Women’s Health Coordinators, DHHS

agencies, state and local governments,

community partners, and public and

private organizations promoted or

planned events and preventive health

screenings. 

partnership with the Region V 

Women’s Health Office and Support 

from all 10 Regional Coordinators. 

● Program Focus: A new national walking program for women began during 

the 2006 National Women’s Health 

● 2006 Theme: Reconnect to Your Health. 

The importance of incorporating simple 

preventive and positive health behaviors 

Week: Women On the Move Across the 

Nation (the WOMAN Challenge). It 

invited women to take part in a free 8-

into everyday life. week walking and physical activity program that encourages participants to get ● Participation: In 2006, all 50 states 10,000 steps or 30 minutes of physical and some territories held 1,110 events. activity a day. 17,800 women signed up Governors and mayors of 142 states, to participate. Results are forthcoming. cities, towns, and territories declared 

May 14-20, 2006, to be “National NATIONAL WOMEN’S CHECK-UP 

Women’s Health Week.” Locally, thou- DAY 

sands of women took advantage of free ● Developed by: HHS OWH in 2003. 

or reduced health screenings. Much of 

this success is due to the active involve- ● Program Focus: In 2006, OWH celement from 122 organizations that joined brated the fourth annual National 

forces with the Office on Women’s Women’s Check-Up Day on May 15, 

Health. the day after Mother’s Day. This nationwide effort is coordinated by HHS and ● Special Note: President Bush and First encourages women to visit health care Lady Laura Bush separately acknowl- professionals to receive regular, preven- edged the importance of National tive check-ups and screenings. On this Women’s Health Week with individual 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

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day, hundreds of health care providers 

around the country offered preventive 

screenings for free or at reduced rates. 

preventive services for women and furthers President Bush's long-range initiative to expand local health centers serv-

● Special Note: This day complements ing people without health insurance. 

and supports OWH’s efforts to promote 

2. RESEARCH AND PREVENTION 

HEART TRUTH EDUCATION WomenHeart: The National Coalition 

CAMPAIGN FOR HEALTH CARE for Women with Heart Disease. 

PROVIDERS ● Project: A website that contains com- ● Developed by: HHS OWH in 2004 prehensive information on the diagnosis 

● Activity: OWH, with its National 

Centers of Excellence in Women’s 

Health and its National Community 

Centers of Excellence in Women’s 

Health, developed a companion Heart 

and treatment of heart disease in 

women. It features separate sections for 

patients and healthcare providers on 1) 

the most important signs and symptoms 

of heart disease in women; 2) the accuTruth education campaign for health care 

providers. It is based on the new prevention guidelines for women developed by the American College of 

Cardiologists (ACC) and the American 

Heart Association (AHA). It educates 

healthcare providers, including physicians and nurses, about the differences 

between men and women in the risks, 

racy of various diagnostic tests for 

women; and 3) the safety and effectiveness of treatments and surgical procedures that are appropriate for women 

with heart disease. Currently, the website focuses on coronary artery disease. 

It will be expanded in the future to also 

include information on heart failure and 

other types of cardiovascular disease 

diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease. conditions. 

● Products: These educational products ● Purpose: To provide patients and 

include a package of grand rounds, healthcare professionals with the most 

CME (Continuing Medical Education) / up-to-date, gender-based science inforContinuing Education Units (CEU) mation on the diagnosis and treatment 

lectures, training and curriculum mate- of cardiovascular disease in women. To 

rials, and self-study core interactive address gender and racial disparities and 

modules. All materials are posted on the to increase the participation of women 

NWHIC website at http://www.wom- in clinical trials of cardiovascular disease 

enshealth.gov/hearttruth/. They will be ● Accessible: At www.HeartHealthy 

disseminated to providers at medical Women.org. The online source for the treatmeetings and other venues. ment and diagnosis of heart disease in women. 

HeartHealthyWomen WEBSITE BodyWise EATING DISORDERS 

● Sponsored by: HHS OWH, beginning EDUCATION CAMPAIGN 

in 2003. ● Sponsored by: HHS OWH 

● Partners: HHS OWH has developed 

the HeartHealthyWomen website in 

partnership with the Cardiovascular 

Research Foundation and 

● Audience: A national educational campaign on eating disorders that targets 

middle-school educators and health care 

providers who have contact with 9- to 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

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11-year-old girls. The campaign edu- NATIONAL BONE HEALTH 

cates the adults in these girls’ lives of the CAMPAIGN: Powerful Bones. Powerful 

risks associated with restrictive dieting Girls 

and eating disorders. OWH worked ● Developed by: A public/nonprofit with the Indian Health Service, the partnership among HHS OWH, the Office of Minority Health, the National 

Institutes of Health, and experts in both

the public and private sector.

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention (CDC), and the National 

Osteoporosis Foundation. 

● Project Goal: To increase awareness ● Project Focus: Launched in September and knowledge of eating disorders 2001, this multi-year, national educa- including their signs and symptoms steps tional campaign promotes optimal bone to take when concerned about students, health in girls 9 to 12 years old, so as to and ways to promote healthy eating and reduce their risk of developing osteo- reduce preoccupation with weight and porosis later in life. size. ● Goal: To educate and encourage girls to ● Project Materials: Each information establish lifelong healthy habits, espe- packet, one for school personnel and the cially increased calcium consumption other for health professionals, includes and physical activity to build and main- fact sheets and resource lists emphasizing tain strong bones. the link between healthy eating, positive

body image, and favorable learning ● Other Audiences: In addition to girls 9 

to 12 years old, the campaign will target outcomes. 

adults who inf luence them, including ● Targeted Populations: The packet parents, teachers, coaches, youth group contains specific information on each of leaders, and health care professionals the major ethnic groups in the country. through websites and materials. It has been cited by the Eating Disorder

Advocacy Community as the best infor- ● Accessible by: Visiting the campaign’s 

mation available on these populations. website at http://www.cdc.gov/ 

powerfulbones. ● Results: A formal evaluation of these 

materials completed two years ago 

showed a significant positive change in 

both the attitudes of school nurses and 

the policies of schools on the need to 

address eating disorders. The evaluation 

MEDICAL RESEARCH ON 

BREASTFEEDING 

● Project: At present, OWH is updating 

the HHS Blueprint for Action on 

Breastfeeding by funding a review of the also showed an increase in the number following: the benefits of breastfeeding of educational sessions provided by for infants and mothers and the practices school nurses on this issue for other to support breastfeeding. This review school personnel. will be conducted through the 

● Free Access: Information is available 

on the NWHIC web site at 

www.WomensHealth.gov. 

Evidence-based Practice Center of the 

Agency for Healthcare Research and 

Quality (AHRQ) at Tufts University. 

The review will be published in 2007. 

● Partners: HHS OWH and AHRQ are 

working together to evaluate all medical 

research on breastfeeding and infant 

health, maternal health, and health 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

interventions to support and increase CONFERENCES ON 

U.S. breastfeeding rates. Representatives BREASTFEEDING 

from the Centers for Disease Control ● Funded by: HHS OWH in FY2006 

and Prevention (CDC) and the National 

Institute of Child Health and Human ● Projects: Two National Breastfeeding 

Development (NICHD) are on the Conferences were supported by OWH. 

Technical Evaluation Panel. The United States Breastfeeding 

Committee National Conference of 

State Breastfeeding Coalitions in 

January 2006, and the Academy of 

Breastfeeding Medicine in October womenshealth.gov 2006. 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 3. MODEL PROGRAMS IN WOMEN'S HEALTH 

NATIONAL CENTERS OF outreach into surrounding rural areas. 

EXCELLENCE IN WOMEN'S 

HEALTH (CoEs) NATIONAL COMMUNITY 

CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN ● Established by: HHS OWH in 1996. WOMEN'S HEALTH (CCOEs) As of mid-2006, located in 20 academic 

health centers across the nation and ● Established by: HHS OWH in 

Puerto Rico. September 2000, with HHS’ Health 

Resources and Services Administration ● Purpose: The CoE model unites (HRSA) and the Office of Minority women's health research, medical train- Health (OMH). As of mid-2006, 14 ing, clinical and preventive care, public sites across the nation: 6 are located in 

health education, community outreach, community health centers, 5 in com- and the promotion of women in aca- munity hospitals, 2 in community demic medicine around a common mis- health care organizations, and 1 in an sion: to improve the health status of Area Health Education Center. 

women across diverse ages, races, ethnic 

groups, and backgrounds. ● Purpose: The CCOEs are designed to 

integrate, coordinate, and strengthen ● Goals: To help eliminate disparities in linkages between healthcare programs health care among populations of and activities for women that are already women and between men and women. underway in the community. To serve as demonstration models for 

the nation to provide innovative, com- ● Goals: To serve as demonstration modprehensive, and integrated health care els for the nation to provide innovative, 

systems for women. To establish and comprehensive, and integrated health 

evaluate a new integrated health care care systems for underserved women at 

system. the community level. To help eliminate 

disparities in health care among popula- ● Background: The CoEs develop part- tions of women and between men and 

nerships with state and local govern- women. To integrate community health ments, community organizations, and services at local clinics and hospitals other academic institutions to increase with research and public outreach. women’s access to care and to improve 

the delivery of health care. More than ● Background: This grant cooperative 

half of the CoEs provide services and agreement program follows a similar page 9 model as the CoEs but on a community 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

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level. The CCOE program provides

recognition and funding for community-based programs that coordinate the

delivery of health services for women,

particularly preventive services; training

for lay workers and professional health

providers; community-based research;

ments of being selected as a National or 

Community Center of Excellence in 

Women’'s Health. As of mid-2006, 

three CoEs and three CCOEs were 

chosen to serve as “Ambassadors for 

Change.” 

● Other Requirements: Four other facpublic education and outreach; leader- tors are required: 1) an ability to inte- ship development for women; and grate all of components of the CoE and technical assistance to other communities that want to replicate the CCOE

program. 

CCOE programs; 2) a capability to 

manage and sustain this project; 3) an 

agreement to serve as a technical con-

● Evaluation: In May 2004, an external sultant to other sites; and 4) to maintain 

evaluation report found the CCOE pro- existing partnerships and develop new 

gram to be meeting and at times exceed- ones within their region, neighboring 

ing the goals and objectives set forth by regions, and government-sponsored 

OWH. Six core components: Improving agencies and organizations. 

access to and integrating women’s 

health care services; training for lay and NATIONAL CENTERS OF 

professional health care providers; com- EXCELLENCE IN WOMEN'S 

munity-based research; public education HEALTH (CoEs) REGION VIII 

and outreach; leadership development DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS 

for women; technical assistance to sup- ● First Awarded by: Region VIII, HHS 

port replication of successful models and OWH in 2004. 

strategies. ● Overview of Region VIII: Comprises 

● Publication: A How To Manual on 

becoming a CCOE has been drafted and 

is undergoing internal review. 

Developed to help other community 

entities establish CCOE models at their 

sites. Anticipated release date is Fall 

2006. 

THE CoE AND CCOE AMBASSADORS FOR CHANGE PROGRAM 

Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, 

South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. In 

terms of demographics, women in 

Region VIII are primarily white. 

American Indian women and Latinas are 

the largest minority populations in this 

region. The region is very much a rural 

and frontier area with only a few large 

metropolitan areas. Some key women's 

health issues in Region VIII are heart 

● Developed by: HHS OWH in FY2005 disease, stroke, cancers, access to care, 

● Purpose: To continue the comprehen- mental health, suicide, domestic viosive, integrated models of women's lence, and substance abuse. 

health care developed by the CoEs and ● Purpose: These demonstration projCCOEs. To provide advice and guid- ects, along with existing CoEs, are 

ance to other organizations interested in working to develop effective compredeveloping or implementing these hensive and integrated approaches for 

unique models of care. improving women's health, including 

● Members: Those CoEs and CCOEs the delivery of services. To bring highthat have been chosen to fulfill addition- quality health care to women in Region 

al responsibilities beyond the require- VIII, including minority and underserved women in this rural frontier area. 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

● Sites: As of mid-2006, the three 

Demonstration Projects are the 

University of Utah Health Sciences 

Center, the University of North Dakota 

COMPREHENSIVE WOMEN'S 

HEART HEALTH CARE PROGRAM 

● Grants supported by: HHS OWH in 

FY2005 and FY2006

School of Medicine and Health

Sciences, and the Sanford School of ● Project: Demonstration projects 

Medicine of The University of South

Dakota. 

NATIONAL RURAL AND FRONdesigned to improve, enhance, and evaluate comprehensive women’s heart 

health care programs in hospitals, clinics, and community health centers 

TIER WOMEN'S HEALTH COORDI- ● Purpose: To reduce heart disease morNATING CENTERS (RFCCs) tality and morbidity among women. To 

● First funded by: HHS OWH in increase the number of high-risk 

September 2004. women who receive high-quality heart 

● Sites: As of mid-2006, 11 RFCCs are health care services, including educalocated in Arizona, Utah, Tennessee, tion, prevention, screening, diagnosis, 

New Mexico, Colorado, Kentucky, treatment, and rehabilitation. 

Nevada, Wisconsin, Wyoming, New ● Program: Six grants have been awardHampshire. ed. Each grantee is required to offer a

● Purpose: To help eliminate disparities continuum of gender-appropriate heart 

in health care among populations of health care services by integrating five 

women and between men and women. components: Education and Awareness, 

To identify, coordinate, and build upon Screening and Risk Assessment, 

a network of existing resources to pro- Diagnostic Testing and Treatment, 

vide culturally and linguistically appro- Lifestyle Modification and 

priate health services to women and Rehabilitation, and Tracking and 

their families in rural and frontier com- Evaluation. The grantees are also 

munities. No new community resources required to target high-risk women in at 

will be funded from this effort. least one of the following groups: 

women aged 60 years or older, ● Background: HHS created an racial/ethnic minority women, and Initiative on Rural Communities in women who live in rural communities. 

2001 to improve and enhance health These programs will provide the data care and human services for people who necessary to evaluate whether compre- live in rural America. It is estimated that hensive women’s heart health care pro- approximately one-fourth of the total grams are effective in improving heart U.S. population lives in rural areas. disease outcomes in high-risk women. When compared to urban Americans, 

rural and frontier residents have higher NATIONAL FAITH-BASED AND 

poverty rates, tend to be in poorer NATIONAL COMMUNITY 

health, have fewer physicians, and fewer CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE 

other health resources. Rural/frontier PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR 

women are also more likely to suffer HIGH-RISK WOMEN 

from heart disease, hypertension and ● Grants supported by: HHS OWH in 

cancer than urban women residents. FY2006 

page 11 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

● Project: A new grant program focused HIV/AIDS DEMONSTRATION 

on reducing the risk of cardiovascular PROJECTS 

disease (CVD) among high-risk ● Established by: HHS OWH in 2000. 

racial/ethnic minority women, aged 40 

years and older. ● Purpose: To address persistent gaps in 

services for women living with, or at ● Purpose: To reduce cardiovascular risk for, HIV, AIDS, or other sexually disease mortality and morbidity in transmitted diseases (STDs). To develop racial/ethnic minority populations in the successful projects that can be replicated United States through screening, coun- in other communities across the United 

seling, and risk-behavior modification. States. 

● Program: As many as four grants will 

be awarded, with each grantee selecting 

10 faith-based or community-based sites 

where the program will be implemented. The education phase of the program 

will consist of eight bi-monthly sessions 

that will counsel women on all of the 

major risk factors for CVD: smoking, 

diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, obesity, and physical inactivity. The maintenance phase of the program will consist 

of regularly scheduled, interactive maintenance sessions that will be designed by 

program participants. During both phases, participants will be screened for all 

● The Incarcerated and Newly 

Released Women with HIV/AIDS/ 

STDs Program. Demonstration 

projects for incarcerated and newly 

released minority women living 

with HIV, AIDS, and STDs. 

● The Mentoring Partnership 

Program. Partnerships consist of 

organizations that serve as mentors 

or as protégés. Demonstration projects for women- and communitybased organizations to receive programmatic, administrative, fiscal, 

and technical assistance from experisix major risk factors for CVD. enced minority health organizations. 

Both mentors and protégés receive ● Project Goal: For program participants 

to increase their level of physical activity 

and establish or maintain a healthy 

weight over the course of the program. 

funding. Establishes mentorships 

between minority health organizations and women’s organizations, or 

between minority health organizations and AIDS service organiza- PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE tions (ASOs), or both. Through AGAINST WOMEN IN IMMIGRANT mentoring, small organizations COMMUNITIES PROGRAM become better prepared to operate ● Funded by: HHS OWH in FY20005 their agencies and implement suc-

● Project: Funds will be directed to 

activities designed to deliver services 

that target immigrant women populations affected disproportionately by violence against women. The services will 

be appropriate for women living in 

immigrant communities as well culturally and linguistically appropriate. 

cessful HIV/AIDS programs independently. 

● HIV/AIDS Prevention for Women 

Living in the Rural South Program. 

Demonstration projects for womenbased, community organizations to 

provide accurate and comprehensive 

education on HIV prevention. 

These projects address myths and 

page 12 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

page 13 

false information about the disease, 

issues of stigma, healthy behaviors, 

and denial. 

● Program Evaluations: A three-year 

evaluation of these programs was developed by HHS OWH in FY2005. 

A PILOT PROGRAM: INTERGENERATIONAL APPROACHES TO 

HIV/AIDS PREVENTION EDUCATION FOR WOMEN ACROSS THE 

LIFESPAN 

● Funded by: HHS OWH in 

FY2005/2006 

● Projects: Awardees develop and pilot 

programs that educate racial/ethnic 

minority women of all ages-across the 

lifespan-about preventing HIV/AIDS. 

These approaches must be specific to 

the needs of minority women who are 

grandmothers, mothers, daughters, and 

aunts. To reach three generations of 

minority women requires strategies that 

are built upon caring, trusting familial 

relationships. 

● Goals: For minority women to elect to 

know their serostatus; to increase their 

knowledge about preventing 

HIV/AIDS; and to gain skills in communicating about health, and sexual 

health in particular, to other women of 

all ages. 

HIV PREVENTION PROGRAM 

FOR WOMEN LIVING IN THE U.S. 

VIRGIN ISLANDS 

● Established by: HHS OWH 

● Audience: Women living in the U.S. 

Virgin Islands 

● Program Goals: To provide these 

women with accurate and comprehensive information about 1) preventing 

HIV/AIDS, and 2) healthy behaviors 

they can adopt to improve their mental 

and physical health. 

HIV PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR 

WOMEN LIVING IN PUERTO RICO 

● Established by: HHS OWH 

● Audience: Women living in Puerto 

Rico who practice high-risk behaviors 

for acquiring HIV. 

● Program Goals: To increase access to 

care for women living with HIV, to 

increase their knowledge about protective behaviors, and to reduce their sense 

of isolation. Education strategies address 

women-specific issues about 

HIV/AIDS, stigma, shame, and access to 

care. 

IN COMMUNITY SPIRIT: HIV 

PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR 

AMERICAN INDIAN/ ALASKA 

NATIVE WOMEN LIVING IN 

RURAL AND FRONTIER AREAS 

● Funded by: HHS OWH, beginning in 

FY2005. 

● Program Goals: To develop 

educational strategies for preventing 

HIV/AIDS in these women. To increase 

their awareness of HIV/AIDS and the 

increasing impact of these conditions on 

women and girls. To integrate the traditions, values, culture, and spirituality 

indigenous to these communities into 

HIV/AIDS prevention efforts. 

HIV PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR 

YOUNG WOMEN ATTENDING 

MINORITY INSTITUTIONS, 

HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES 

AND UNIVERSITIES, HISPANIC 

SERVING INSTITUTIONS, 

AND TRIBAL COLLEGES AND 

UNIVERSITIES 

● Funded by: HHS OWH in 

FY2005/2006 

● Program Goals: To demonstrate the 

need for targeting HIV/AIDS prevention programs to college-age minority 

women. To increase this population's 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

understanding of their increased vulnerability for acquiring HIV/AIDS. To promote the practice of ABC-Practice 

Abstinence, Be Faithful, Use Condomsin this population. 

BREASTFEEDING 

DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS 

● Funded by: HHS OWH in August 

2005. 

● Project: Seven community-based projects for 2006 were funded during 

National Breastfeeding Awareness 

Month in August 2005. Nine breastfeeding coalitions and community-based 

projects were funded for World 

Breastfeeding Awareness Month and 

related events in 2006. These projects 

raised awareness in the media and 

through local events of the importance 

of new mothers exclusively breastfeeding newborns for the first six months. 

ADDRESSING PRE-DIABETES IN 

FAMILIES 

● Funded by: HHS OWH in 2005 

through 2006 to four small businesses. 

● Purpose: To increase awareness of the 

importance of physical activity and good 

nutrition in preventing pre-diabetes, 

diabetes, and obesity. To develop and 

implement interventions, programs and 

materials that will effectively address 

pre-diabetes in families to reduce the 

risk of intergenerational development of 

diabetes and its resulting complications. 

● Goals: Programs were designed to reach 

women and family members most at 

risk in developing type 2 diabetes: 

minorities, people who are overweight, 

4. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS 

MINORITY HIV/AIDS INITIATIVE 

● Established: 1998. The initiative 

itself and funding was announced by 

and people who are inactive. Healthy 

behaviors were emphasized, including 

regular exercise and a healthy diet, to 

reduce obesity and the incidence of 

chronic diseases, such as diabetes. 

● Background: Diabetes is a serious 

chronic disease that can be managed 

through lifestyle changes and medication. Nearly 21 million Americans have 

diabetes and another 41 million have 

pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes is a condition 

in which blood glucose levels are higher 

than normal but are not high enough for 

a diagnosis of diabetes. People with prediabetes are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and for heart disease and stroke. 

TARGETING OBESITY IN YOUNG 

WOMEN TO PREVENT THE 

DEVELOPMENT OF TYPE II 

DIABETES 

● Funded by: HHS OWH in 2006 

through 2007. Five organizations will be 

awarded grants. 

● Purpose: To develop programs targeting obesity in young women, especially 

ages 16-24. To develop programs that 

will encourage behavioral change and 

promote healthy habits around daily 

physical activity, portion control, and 

good nutrition. To reach young women 

in an age group that is rarely targeted for 

obesity interventions. 

● Background: This grant program was 

developed in response to HHS-wide 

objectives, particularly, emphasizing 

healthy living and preventing disease, 

illness, and disability. 

the White House and HHS, in 

collaboration with the Congressional 

Black Caucus. 

page 14 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

page 15 

● OWH Role: In the context of this 

initiative, OWH provides guidance and 

advice to HHS on HIV/AIDS as it 

relates to women’s health. OWH also 

integrates the initiatives' goals into its 

other HIV/AIDS programs. 

opportunity to discuss and explore the 

social context of women's lives as well as 

the risks and vulnerabilities specific to 

women and girls. To serve as a tool to 

promote discussion, share information, 

provide education on how to prevent 

● Background: Racial/ethnic minority infection as well as how to live with the 

communities are disproportionately and disease. 

more severely impacted by HIV/AIDS ● Background: A number of national 

than are other U.S. populations. They and global observances are held every 

also experience significantly higher year to help people understand and fight 

morbidity and mortality rates. Women the HIV/AIDS pandemic. HHS sup-

(and minority women in particular) rep- ports these observances, which help 

resent a growing number of individuals raise awareness and distribute informaliving with AIDS. Consequently, AIDS tion about HIV/AIDS. 

is one of the leading causes of death for ● Resources: In support of these obser- women aged 25-44. vances, HHS hosts a website on 

● Purpose: To address the severe and 

ongoing health crisis of HIV/AIDS in 

racial and ethnic minority communities 

through increased funding and outreach. 

Funds target programs to enhance effective HIV/AIDS efforts in three categories: technical assistance and infrastructure support, increasing access to 

HIV/AIDS prevention and health care, 

and building stronger community linkages to these needs. 

HIV/AIDS Observance Days through its 

Office of Minority Health Resource 

Center (http://www.omhrc.gov/ 

hivaidsobservances/women/materials.ht 

ml). The site offers copyright-free materials that can be used to educate, motivate, and mobilize local communities in 

the fight against HIV/AIDS. 

RESOURCES ON VIOLENCE 

AGAINST WOMEN 

● Provided by: HHS OWH 

NATIONAL WOMEN AND GIRLS 

HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY ● Accessible: Through the website of the 

National Women's Health Information ● First Observance: March 10, 2006. Center (NWHIC) at http://www. 

● Sponsored by: HHS OWH womenshealth.gov/violence/ or through 

● Partners with: HHS Office of a toll-free telephone call to 1-800-994-

HIV/AIDS Policy, The HHS Leadership 9662 (TDD: 1-888-220-5446). 

Campaign on AIDS, the Office of ● Resources: This specialty section 

Minority Health, other federal/region- online provides information on all types 

al/state/local government agencies, aca- of violence against women, including 

demic institutions, faith-based organiza- specific resources for each type of viotions, community groups, associations lence and information on how to get 

of health professionals, hospitals, and help. 

many other organizations around the 

country LUPUS EDUCATION AND 

AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ● Goals: To raise awareness of the 

increasing burden of HIV/AIDS on U.S. ● Funded by: HHS OWH in FY2006. 

women and girls in particular, but also ● Project: OWH has partnered with a 

on women worldwide. To provide an number of organizations to plan pro-
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

page 16 

grams that have helped the public and NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING 

health care providers develop a better AWARENESS CAMPAIGN 

understanding of lupus. The lack of ● Developed by: HHS OWH in 2000. 

understanding about this disease often Ongoing activities. contributes to misdiagnoses or late diagnoses that can result in disability or ● Background: In 2000, OWH and the 

death. Consequently, OWH will con- U.S. Surgeon General published the 

tinue to collaborate with organizations first-ever government policy on breastthat can provide state-of-the-art medical feeding, the HHS Blueprint for Action on 

information for scientists, researchers, Breastfeeding. The Blueprint recommends 

health care providers, patients and their that women exclusively breastfeed for 4 

families, and the community. to 6 months, preferably for 6 months. 

The full text of the policy can be ● Purpose: To provide educational semi- found on the NWHIC web site at 

nars to women who have been diag- www.WomensHealth.gov/breastfeeding. nosed with lupus and their families. To

provide the most current medical infor- ● Project: Conducting a public health

mation to health care providers, marketing campaign on breastfeeding

patients, and caregivers. To address the

issue of support services, including the

navigation of public health and social

was among the recommendations in the 

Blueprint. In 2002, OWH launched a 

public health marketing campaign to 

service departments. make the act of breastfeeding normal, 

desirable, and achievable. In June 2004, ● Activities: In FY2006 and FY2007, an education campaign was initiated by OWH will develop and implement a DHHS and the Advertising Council. It sustained lupus awareness and education ended in April 2006. campaign aimed at reaching health care 

professionals and the general public, ● Goals: The campaign raised awareness 

with an emphasis on reaching women at

greatest risk for developing lupus,

specifically, women of color and other

underserved populations of women.

of the goal to have new mothers breastfeed exclusively for six months and their 

child’s (children’s) reduced risk for certain illnesses and conditions such as ear 

Three organizations will be selected to infections, diarrhea, respiratory infecincrease awareness and knowledge of tions and childhood obesity. The major 

lupus, its symptoms, diagnosis, and aim of the campaign is to reach the 

Healthy People 2010 breastfeeding goals: treatment. 

that 75 percent of new mothers breast- ● Background: Lupus affects 1.4 million feed their child (or children) at birth, 50 Americans, most often manifesting in percent breastfeed at 6 months, and 25 women between the ages of 15 44. This percent breastfeed at one year. In a autoimmune disease is two to three recent issue of the Journal of Human times more prevalent in women of color Lactation (21:175,183, 2005), NWHIC than in white women. was rated the #1 breastfeeding website 

among 40 breastfeeding websites. 

● Results of Campaign: Significant 

increases in awareness of breastfeeding, 

knowledge of the benefits of exclusively 

breastfeeding newborns for the first six 

months, and comfort with seeing mothers breastfeed in public. More than two-
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

page 17 

thirds of all men and young women 

(between the ages of 18 and 34) are 

comfortable with breastfeeding in 

public. 

disease begins to increase. The campaign 

warns women about heart disease and 

provides tools to help them take action 

against its risk factors. 

WOMEN'S HEART DAY CAMPAIGN ● The Red Dress as a Symbol: The campaign's launch put the issue of women ● Campaign led by: Sister to Sister and heart disease in the national spot- Everyone Has a Heart Foundation. light with the introduction of the Red 

● Partners: HHS OWH is in its fifth 

year of partnering with the National 

Institutes of Health's (NIH) National 

Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 

(NHLBI); CVS Pharmacies, local hospitals; and health organizations to sponsor 

the annual Women’s Heart Day 

Campaign. 

Dress as the national symbol for women 

and heart disease awareness. It underscored the message that “heart disease 

doesn’t care what you wear.” Mrs. Bush 

is an official spokesperson for the campaign, further enhancing its widespread 

publicity. 

● OWH Activities: OWH has advised 

● Campaign Activities: Includes an 

Executive Women's Breakfast, a health 

screening event on Capitol Hill, and an 

extensive media campaign to increase 

awareness of heart disease among 

women. 

NHLBI on the campaign’s products. 

OWH has also funded the development 

of the online speakers kit, the Heart 

Truth conference display for medical 

meetings, the placements of transit system billboards in some areas, local com-

● Major Campaign Event: Women’s munity news releases, and heart-related 

Heart Day Health Fair, held on the events in every region of HHS. 

third Friday of February in 14 cities For Your Heart WEBSITE 

nationwide. In 2006, this dynamic, 

interactive health fair included 

exhibitors, free screenings, healthy 

cooking and fitness demonstrations, 

children's activities, giveaways such as 

airline tickets and cruises, and panel discussions on topics such as stress, heart 

disease, fitness and nutrition. 

HEART TRUTH EDUCATION CAMPAIGN FOR THE PUBLIC 

● Developed by: HHS OWH in 1998. 

Website launched in 1999. 

● Project: An interactive website that 

offers cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention information for women. Based 

on information that women supply, For 

Your Heart provides them with personalized information on exercise, nutrition, 

weight management, smoking, diabetes, 

cholesterol, blood pressure, menopause, 

● Partners: HHS OWH is a founding 

partner of the Heart Truth Campaign, 

launched in 2003 by NIH's National 

Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 

(NHLBI) and WomenHeart, the only 

organization founded by and for women 

survivors of heart disease. 

and other factors that affect their risk for 

heart disease and stroke. For Your Heart is 

unique in that it is the only online tool 

that offers individually tailored prevention information for women according 

to their race/ethnicity, age, menopausal 

status, and CVD risk factor profile. 

● Goal: To raise awareness among 

women 40 to 60 years of age that heart 

disease is the #1 killer of women. It is at 

these ages that a woman's risk of heart 

● Purpose: To give women the knowledge and tools they need to reduce their 

personal risk of heart disease and stroke. 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

page 18 

● Accessible: At http://www.womenshealth.gov/ForYourHeart/ through the 

website of the National Women’s 

● In Partnership with: Girl Scouts USA 

and Affiliated Councils from the HHS 

OWH Regions listed above 

Health Information Center. ● Project: HHS OWH has supported an 

BodyWorks OBESITY PREVENTION education project between HHS and 

TOOLKIT Girl Scouts USA, which is based on the 

Department’s Steps to a HealthierUS. ● Developed by: HHS OWH This project focuses on encouraging 

● Audience: An intergenerational program for mothers and daughters that 

encourages healthy eating and physical 

activity. The BodyWorks Kit for the prevention of overweight/obesity focuses 

on the entire family in order to help 

prevent obesity in girls. The materials 

provide action steps for mothers to take 

in promoting and instituting health, 

diet, and physical activity at home. 

physical activity and healthy lifestyles for 

all U.S. girls ages 11 to 17 years. Projects 

lasted 6 weeks, during which time the 

participants increased their 1) level of 

physical activity; 2) knowledge about 

nutrition and strategies for selecting 

healthy foods; and 3) knowledge about 

the hazards of tobacco and its effect on 

their health. 

● Targeted Audience: Girls ages 11-17 

● Project: A toolkit designed to prevent 

and reduce the incidence of overweight 

and obesity in adolescents, with a focus 

on girls. The project includes recommendations by advocacy organizations 

and selected experts within the obesity 

community, both within and outside of 

the federal government, who served on 

who participate in Girl Scout Councils, 

Girl Scout Councils, and Girl Scouts 

USA. In 2006, HHS OWH Regions I, 

II, III, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X will 

be represented. 

● Result: Each of the participating HHS 

OWH Regions was represented by one 

council. The total number of partici- an Obesity Steering Committee that 

was convened in the spring of 2001. 

The Toolkit provides resources and 

pants was 431, and more are expected as 

the councils submit their data. After one 

more year of funding, the results of each action steps for parents of adolescent year will be compared. girls to increase healthy eating habits and 

physical activity. REGIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH 

● Targeted Populations: This kit is par- COORDINATORS 

ticularly relevant to minority popula- ● Funded and supported by: HHS 

tions because these children are at high OWH, in each of the 10 regions of 

risk for overweight and obesity. OWH DHHS across the United States and its 

is collaborating with the Indian Health territories 

Service to produce a version of ● Activities: OWH regional staff have BodyWorks that is targeted exclusively to played a significant role in educating the Native American population. OWH health professionals and consumers plans to adapt and translate selected across the country regarding women’s pieces of the toolkit into Spanish for the health issues: 

Latino population. ● Disseminating information on 

STEPS TO HEALTHIER GIRLS national initiatives, treatment proto-

● Funded and supported by: HHS cols, funding opportunities, drug 

OWH Regions II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, approvals, and more.

VIII, X, since September 2005. ● Convening meetings with their state
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

and territorial women’s health rep- ● 2007 Minority Women's Health 

resentatives to share health news and Summit (Listening Sessions) 

data. ● Tribal Consultations 

● Distributing thousands of brochures ● Medicare Modernization 

and other publications to health 

professionals and consumers. ● Check-Up Day (led by the HHS 

Office on Minority Health); ● Presenting current women’s health 

information at meetings, confer- ● Take Time to Care (a program of the 

ences, and health fairs Food and Drug Administration); 

● Helping develop curricula that focus ● The Heart Truth. A National 

on special population issues such as Awareness Campaign for Women 

prison peer-education, female geni- About Heart Disease 

tal cutting, and peer-counseling pro- ● Rescue and Restore efforts 

grams to encourage breastfeeding. (Administration for Children and 

● Participating in the development of, 

and providing training for, OWH’s 

Quick Health Data Online. This database helps decision makers at the 

federal, state, and county levels plan 

Families); 

● Comprehensive Women’s Health 

initiatives (Health Resources and 

Services Administration); 

● Obesity initiative (an NIH program health initiatives and interventions. of the National Institute of Diabetes ● Developing assessment tools for and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) 

communities on women's health. 

Border Women's Health Institute ● Advising HHS Regional Health 

Administrators on women's health ● Funded and supported by: HHS 

priorities. OWH in Regions VI and IX of the 

Public Health Service. Regions also provide technical assistance 

to their constituents that have resulted 

in innovative, gender-based approaches 

to mental health, domestic violence, 

female genital cutting, HIV/AIDS, 

breastfeeding, and leadership issues in 

academic settings. Other activities of 

OWH's regional staff include the following: 

● Partners: HHS Office of Minority 

Health, HHS Office of Global Health 

Affairs, and the Mariposa Community 

Health Center 

● Targeted Audiences: Promotoras (Lay 

Health Workers) working with Spanishlanguage populations, program administrators of Lay Health Worker-based pro-

● National Women’s Health Week grams, women’s health program administrators, and border program adminis- ● National Women’s Check-Up Day trators. 

● WOMAN Challenge ● Project Focus: Since July 2004, OWH 

● National Women and Girls has supported the development and 

HIV/AIDS Awareness Day implementation of a Border Women’s 

● Steps to Healthier Girls (with Girl Health Institute. The institute provides 

Scouts USA). training to improve leadership skills and 

advocacy capabilities of lay health work- ● Body Works Initiative ers/promotoras who reside on either side 

page 19 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

of the U.S.-Mexico border. It promotes REGIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH 

a holistic approach to health promotion COORDINATORS 

and disease prevention through the lifes- ● Region I: CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT pan for women in border communities. Laurie Robinson, M.T.S. 

● Results & Evaluations: A Spanish curriculum was developed in Year One. In 

Year Two, a successful pilot program 

was established. The pilot took place in 

Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, with 24 promotoras and their supervisors along with 

Women’s Health Coordinator 

John F. Kennedy Federal Bldg., Room 

2126 

Boston, MA 02203 

Tel: (617) 565-1071 

Fax: (617) 565-4265 

womenshealth.gov 14 facilitators. Individuals came from E-mail: Laurie.Robinson@hhs.gov 

1-800-994-9662 Sonora, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, ● Region II: NJ, NY, PR, Virgin Islands and Chihuahua. At the end of the insti- Sandra Estepa, M.S., C.S.W. TDD: 1-888-220-5446 tute, evaluations showed that participants had the highest level of confidence 

in their ability to develop an 

action/advocacy plan for their communities. The largest changes occurred in 

the participants’ confidence in their 

ability to formulate appropriate strategies to implement community change, 

build consensus and formulate a vision, 

implement an action plan, and deal with 

conf lict as an opportunity for change. 

Womem’s Health Coordinator 

26 Federal Plaza, Room 3835 

New York, NY 10278 

Tel: (212) 264-4628 

Fax: (212) 264-1324 

E-mail: Sandra.Estepa@hhs.gov 

● Region III: DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, 

WV 

Rosa F. Myers, A.R.N.P., M.S.N. 

Women’s Health Coordinator 

150 South Independence Mall West, ● Next Steps: Among other activities, 

the launching of a community, borderwide, binational training initiative in 

2007, which will include additional 

states: Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, 

Coahuila, California, Baja California. 

Modifications have been made to the 

draft curriculum as a result of feedback 

from the pilot. The final Spanish version 

is in the process of translation into 

English and will be available on CD. 

Suite 436 

Philadelphia, PA 19106-3499 

Tel: (215) 861-4637 

Fax: (215) 861-4623 

E-mail: Rosa.Myers@hhs.gov 

● Region IV: AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, 

NC, SC, TN 

Annie Brayboy Fair, M.P.H., M.S.W. 

Women’s Health Coordinator 

Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center 

More information on the Regional

Women’s Health Coordinators can be 

found on the NWHIC website at

http://www.womenshealth.gov/owh/reg/.

61 Forsyth St., S.W., 5B95 

Atlanta, GA 30303-8909 

Tel: (404) 562-7904 

Fax: (404) 562-7899 

E-mail: Annie.Fair@hhs.gov 

● Region V: IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI 

Michelle Hoersch, M.S. 

Women’s Health Coordinator 

233 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1300 

Chicago, IL 60601 

Tel: (312) 353-8122 

Fax: (312) 353-7800 

E-mail: Michelle.Hoersch@hhs.gov page 20 
OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES 

womenshealth.gov 

1-800-994-9662 

TDD: 1-888-220-5446 

● Region VI: AR, LA, NM, OK, TX

Charlotte Gish, C.N.M., M.S.N.

Women’s Health Coordinator

1301 Young Street, Suite 1124

Dallas, TX 75202

Tel: (214)-767-3523

Fax: (214) 767-3209

E-mail: Charlotte.Gish@hhs.gov 

● Region X: AK, ID, OR, WA

Marian Mehegan, D.D.S., M.P.H.

Women’s Health Coordinator

2201 Sixth Avenue, M/S RX-29

Seattle, WA 98121

Tel: (206) 615-2024

Fax: (206) 615-2481

E-mail: Marian.Mehegan@hhs.gov

● Region VII: IA, KS, MO, NE ● OWH Central Office 

Joyce Townser, R.N., M.S.A.

Women's Health Coordinator

601 E. 12th Street, Room S1801

Kansas City, MO 64106

Tel: (816) 426-2926

Fax: (816) 426-2178

E-mail: Joyce.Townser@hhs.gov

Sharon Ricks, MA 

Advisor for Regional Women's Health 

Issues 

Department of Health and Human 

Services 

DHHS Office on Women's Health 

200 Independence Ave. S.W., Rm.712E 

● Region VIII: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, Washington, DC 20201

WY Tel: (202) 690-7651

Laurie Konsella, M.P.A. Fax: (202) 401-4005

Women’s Health Coordinator sharon.ricks@hhs.gov

1961 Stout Street, Room 498

Denver CO 80294-3538

Tel: (303) 844-7854

Fax: (303) 844-2019

E-mail: Laurie.Konsella@hhs.gov 

● Region IX: AZ, CA, HI, NV, 

American Samoa, Guam, Marshall 

Islands, Micronesia, Northern Mariana 

Islands, Palau 

Kay A. Strawder, J.D., M.S.W.

Women’s Health Coordinator

50 United Nations Plaza, Room 327

San Francisco, CA 94102

Tel: (415) 437-8119

Fax: (415) 437-8004

E-mail: Kay.Stawder@hhs.gov

Current as of October 2006 

page 21