The remarkable growth of the program at the Center for Women's Health with more than 5,800 visits only 4 years after its inception is a testament to this concept. Education is a key element of the Center. Teaching about health needs and dispelling myths about health care is paramount. For example, one widespread misconception is related to the major cause of death among women. The leading cause of death among women in 1998 was heart disease.
Breast cancer is an excellent example of how the benefit of education works.
Both self-examination and early mammography have had an impact resulting in a small but real decreased mortality from breast cancer. Insurance companies need to be made aware of women's needs. For instance, the least commonly covered tests among employer-sponsored health plans are for depression and osteoporosis. While more and more physicians and patients champion health care screening and preventive measures, the general public lags behind in understanding women's health care needs and the importance of health care education. A key goal is to have physicians, patients, and providers partner to educate and treat women about heart disease, osteoporosis, depression and Alzheimer's disease.