Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Women's Health Gets F

Oregon Health and Science University has announced the fifth report card since 2000, and ranks and ranks of the United States, on 26 indicators of health status in women. In 2010, no State has the overall grade "satisfactory" in women's health, and only two states (Vermont and Massachusetts) received "satisfactory minus" grade. Overall, the nation is so far from the targets set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which receives an overall score of "inadequate".

The National Report Card uses status indicators to assess women's health:

* Women's access to health care services (medically underserved area, no abortion provider, no insurance and prenatal care in the first quarter)

* Wellness (screening mammograms, colorectal cancer, Pap smear, cholesterol)

* Prevention (leisure time physical activity, obesity, eating five fruits and Vegi / day, binge drinking, annual dental visits, smoking)

* The main terms and conditions (coronary heart disease mortality, lung cancer death, stroke, death, cancer death)

* Chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, AIDS, arthritis, osteoporosis)

* Reproductive Health (chlamydia, maternal mortality, unwanted pregnancy)

* Mental health (mental health day was not good)

* Violence against women

* Infant mortality rate

Life Expectancy *

* Poverty

* High School Completion

* The pay gap

Scores of these indicators are manifold varies, depending on what state he lives. California and New Jersey was ranked the highest government health policy, and South Dakota, Idaho and policies ranked last.

After the publication of the report card the first time in 2000, advanced nation a series of indicators of women's health such as lower mortality from coronary heart disease, stroke, breast cancer and lung cancer. Smoking has decreased, and women have received screening for cancer of the colon and rectum. This is good news.

The protection of the law and patient care and affordable (ObamaCare) have important health benefits for women. Unfortunately, most of which will not begin until 2014, when the expansion of health care coverage and improvements in preventive care to the entry into force. Family planning services are covered by Medicaid and smoking cessation treatment will be covered.

ACA will also protect women against discrimination and health will not allow insurers to charge a woman more because of her sex. (Being a woman is not a pre-existing condition!). It will also ensure the health, including maternity care and newborn care, mental health and preventive services.

We have a long way in bringing this card from an unsatisfactory report "A". At least tell us where we are today and points the way to what is necessary for women to be healthy. We can not deny that improvements in health policy at the federal and state are essential to move forward.

Also: In rereading this post after a good night's sleep is important to note that I prefer a woman in the United States that approximately 75% of the world. To understand and help the oppressed women around the world to go to Women for Women International.