HEALTHY LIFESTYLES: WOMEN’S HEALTH IN OUR COMMUNITY
June 2005 Conference, Buttonwood Park
A National/Regional Perspective: Laurie Robinson, MTS, Women’s Health Coordinator, Region 1, Office on Women’s Health, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Demographics are changing, with more diversity and longer lives for women.
· They outlive men by about 7 years, and are more likely to be widowed, alone, poor, developing diseases that impact life, earning less, more likely to work part time, more anxiety/depression, autoimmune disorders.
· Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women, with lung cancer being the leading cancer death.
· More women experience violence and are the fastest growing group with HIV.
· Most disparities are among women of ethnic minorities.
· Overall, New England ranks well on the health indicators nationwide.
Women’s health tends to be based on reproductive health, and women were often excluded from clinical trials of illnesses such as heart disease. Women’s health is also based on economics, relationships, biological and genetic factors. Recent studies of women include post-menopausal health and major disease conditions, gender differences, brain differences, pharmacological differences in processing drugs, pain differences and differences in heart attack symptoms.
Recommendations:
· Accountability by governors and health officers for women’s health
· Health insurance for girls ages 11-21
· Need to look at physical/sexual abuse, use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, eating disorders/obesity, unsafe sex, flu and respiratory conditions, falls, depression, health attack, incarcerated women, violence and mental health, stress/depression and heart disease, creation of support systems especially as we age.
Did You Know That….
· People who had good relationships had longer lives despite diseases when compared with those who lacked the support and had the same diseases.
· This fall, the GNBHHSC will provide events for community women clients.
Breast and Cervical Cancer: Outreach and Education in Massachusetts: Heather Nelson, PhD (ABD), MPH, Director of Community Services, Women’s Health Network, MA DPH
The Women’s Health Network is part of the National Breast & Cervical Cancer early detection program, and provides free screenings for low income women, contracting with other organizations. Only 23% of eligible women are being served, so they are doing an outreach program.
Findings from Community Analysis:
· Commonalities – Uninsured working women (coverage is too expensive or not offered at work)
· Barriers – Can’t take time off work for an appointment, can’t afford child/elder care, can’t afford travel expenses
· Challenges – Mammogram services are provided in Dartmouth, and retention is difficult
New Bedford:
· 7.9% unemployment rate
· 40% live below the 200% federal poverty line
· 40% Portuguese ancestry
· 8% sub-Saharan African
· Growing Mayan population from Guatemala who speak an unwritten language (Kee-chay)
Women and Heart Disease: Carole Lehoullier, RN, Cardiac Rehab Nurse Clinician, Southcoast Hospitals Group, Charleton
Heart disease is
· Number one killer of American women
· The first symptom in ½ of all heart attacks is death
· 1 out of 5 women have Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
· CVD kills more women than men
Process of arteriosclerosis:
· Inflammatory response
· Vessels harden and block
· A heart attack happens when the artery is blocked or plaque breaks off
Types of CAD:
· Stable angina (warning sign)
· Unstable angina (tissue injury)
Risk Factors and Prevention
· Age
· Gender (estrogen is a protector until after menopause)
· Heredity
· Smoking
· Stress – Relaxation, take walks or exercise
· Diet – eat low fat, low cholesterol, high fiber, plenty of fruits and vegetables, watch portion size, diet, avoid saturated fats, transfats
· Homocystene is a new risk factor that increases risk, harms the lining of arteries – Folic vitamins and fruit/vegetables help
· Lack of exercise/sedentary lifestyle (twice as likely to suffer CVD) – 30-60 minutes, 3-5 times per week, strength training, cardiovascular training, make it fun
· High Blood Pressure (above 120/80)
· Diabetes
· Overweight – Exercise, diet/portion control. Obesity is increasing in children, 2/3 of Americans are overweight, 30% are obese
· High Cholesterol
Heart Attack Warning Signs
· Chest discomfort
· Pain in other areas
· Shortness of breath
· Nausea/vomiting
· Feeling of impending doom
· Diaphoresis (sweating)
What to do – Stop what you’re doing, rest, take nitroglycerine if you have it, call 911, and chew a baby aspirin
Stroke Warning Signs
Numbness
Confusion
Dizzy
Sudden severe headache
Trouble seeing/speaking
Call 911 – They can dissolve the clot in the emergency room
Did you know that…
· Women who are members of social groups can come together to screenings, but it’s more difficult to reach women who are not connected
· American Cancer Society has a Road to Recovery where volunteers provide rides to appointments. Reach to Recovery is for cancer survivors.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Patricia Andrade, MD, General Surgery Practice, Special Focus in Breast Care, New Bedford
Women tend to their own selves last. The following are issues:
Population and Migration – Considered a land of opportunity, United States has both legal and illegal migration, with many cultural differences. Statistics:
|
Massachusetts |
New Bedford |
|
Population: 6,349,097 |
90,768 |
|
51% women |
52% women |
|
84% white |
78.9% white |
|
5.4% black |
4.4% black |
|
6.8% Hispanic |
10.2% Hispanic |
|
.2% Asian |
.6% Asian |
|
|
Median Income: $27,569 20% below poverty 37.8% non-english language spoken at home |
Access: Fall River/New Bedford
22% of 40-64 year olds are uninsured
73.5% of employed are uninsured
46% females are uninsured
Affordability
Insured v. Uninsured
· 82.4% 42% (office visits)
· 37% 33.9% (ER visits)
· 42% 21% (2 or more visits for chronic illness)
· 62.1% 51% (received needed care)
Most impacted by prevention
· Acute Illness
· Chronic Illness
· Cancer – New case rates: In males, 33% are prostate, 32% lung; in females, 32% are breast, 25% lung. There are no good screenings for lung cancer. Chest x-rays and spiral CT scans are done. Recommendations are clinical breast exam annually after age 20, mammogram after age 40 annually, MRI for diagnostic of screening, cervical exam 3 years after the onset of sex, but no later than 30, every 2-3 years after 30 if 3 consecutive exams are negative, DNA HPV cytology every 3 years, at 70 or after a hysterectomy when patient lacks cervix and has benign pathology cease screening.
· Disability
Also: Collaboration, advocacy and legislation