What are the roles of the Office on women’s health?
In 1991, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) established the Office on Women’s Health (OWH). By informing and advancing policy, educating health care providers and consumers, and supporting innovative programmes, OWH organises women’s health efforts across HHS and addresses major women’s health challenges. Its objective is to provide through policy, education and creative initiatives, the national leadership and coordination to enhance the health of women and girls. The goals include:
To inform and influence policies
To educate the public
To educate health practitioners
To encourage the development of new programmes
Brief history of OWH
The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was founded in 1991 with the goal of improving the health of American women by establishing and coordinating a comprehensive women’s health agenda. OWH focused on expanding women’s health as a specialised subject for government action and attention in the early 1990s, alongside initiatives by partner organisations. Research, health-care preventive and service delivery, public and healthcare professional education, and career growth for women in healthcare and scientific fields were among the topics discussed.
Women’s health is now firmly planted in the national health landscape, due to OWH’s efforts and leadership, and many remarkable successes in women’s health have been made. To meet the needs of women and girls, OWH now focuses on emerging women’s health issues.
Role of the Office on Women’s Health
The aim of the Office on Women’s Health is accomplished through a variety of programmes and activities. The Office also oversees many organisations and committees inside the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as well as with other federal agencies, to coordinate efforts for women’s health.
1. Working groups and committees
The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) coordinates activities for women’s health inside the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as well as with other federal departments through many groups and committees.
HHS Coordinating Committee on Women’s Health (CCWH): The HHS Coordinating Committee on Women’s Health (CCWH) was formed to advise the Assistant Secretary of Health on HHS programmes that would protect and improve the physical and mental health of all women in the United States. The OWH Director chairs the coordinating committee.
HHS Steering Committee on Violence Against Women (VAW): In order to strategically focus departmental collaboration on the issue of violence against women and girls, the HHS Steering Committee on Violence Against Women (VAW) was formed. Members of the Steering Committee connect with colleagues throughout HHS to strengthen the Department’s response to violence against women and girls by investigating and promoting the intersections of research, education, and training.
HHS Working Group on Human Trafficking: The Federal Strategic Action Plan on Services for Victims of Human Trafficking in the United States was developed with input from the Working Group on Human Trafficking. The HHS Working Group on Human Trafficking meets four times a year to coordinate the Plan’s execution, share information, and address additional interagency collaboration activities spanning health and human service systems.
Federal Women’s Health Web Council: The Federal Women’s Health Web Council is led by the Office of Women’s Health. The goal of the Council is to improve the quality and accessibility of women’s digital health information across the federal government. Members examine new media platforms, and exchange resources, best practises, and lessons gained in the creation of federal digital women’s health information.
2. Programs and Activities
The Office on Women’s Health leads a variety of activities and initiatives that inform and advance policy, educate the public and health professionals, and support innovative programmes in order to achieve its mission.
Active Duty and Veteran Women’s Health: It is an initiative to raise awareness of the special health needs of active duty and veteran women, as well as the education and training needs of those who provide care for them.
Breast Cancer Patient Education: This program is meant for breast cancer patients who are considering mastectomy so they are aware of the availability and coverage of breast reconstruction and prosthesis if they choose this option.
Health Information Gateway: It is an online system that informs policies and initiatives by providing state-level health statistics by sex, race, and ethnicity.
HHS Hypertension Innovator Award Competition: It provides innovative blood pressure monitoring and follow-up approaches in pregnant and postpartum women.
HPV VAX NOW Campaign: In Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, a campaign for young adults and their health care providers aimed to increase young adult HPV vaccination rates.
It’s Only Natural: A campaign to raise awareness about the health benefits of breastfeeding among African-American mothers and their families.
Make the Call. Don’t Miss a Beat: A promotion aimed at women to raise awareness of the seven most prevalent signs of a heart attack and to encourage them to contact 911 if they experience any of them.
Maternal Health: The HHS is announcing its vision for making the US one of the safest countries in the world for women to give birth as part of the Administration’s broader efforts to improve health in America.
Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Data and Analysis Initiative: The OWH has signed a $8 million contract with Premier Inc. To improve maternal health data and establish a network of at least 200 hospitals to implement clinical, evidence-based best practises in maternity care.
National Women’s Health Week: The annual hallmark health observance of OWH to encourage women to prioritise their health.
National Women’s Blood Pressure Awareness Week: It is a weel-long event organised by the OWH.
National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day: It is the yearly commemoration of OWH to raise awareness about the effects of HIV and AIDS on women and girls.
Reducing Disparities in Breastfeeding Innovation Challenge: In the United States, researchers are looking for new approaches to boost breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates while also reducing inequities among breastfeeding women.
Stop, Observe, Ask and Respond (SOAR): Combating Human Trafficking Initiative: A training programme for healthcare professionals to learn how to recognise and respond to victims of human trafficking backed by OWH.
Supporting Nursing Moms at Work: Employer Solutions: An online resource that offers businesses low-cost suggestions and solutions for supporting nursing mothers at work.
Women and Opioids: An investigation into the particular prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation difficulties faced by women who overuse opioids, which expands on the Department of Health and Human Services’ comprehensive five-point strategy to tackle the opioid crisis.
The Office on Women’s Health is a leader in the field of women’s health and sex/gender-related issues. The OWH promotes, coordinates, and implements a comprehensive women’s health agenda across all agencies in terms of research, service delivery, and education. They work to enhance the health, wellness, and safety of women throughout their lives, both inside and outside of the US Department of Health and Human Services. They advise HRSA’s Administrator on health issues that affect women throughout their lives; lead cross-agency collaborations with HRSA bureaus and offices, as well as other federal and non-federal partners, to address key issues of concern for women, and consult with organisations and key stakeholder groups to inform HRSA’s investments in women’s health.
Sources:
1. https://www.womenshealth.gov/about-us/who-we-are#:~:text=OWH%20coordinates%20women%27s%20health%20efforts,consumers%2C%20and%20supporting%20innovative%20programs.
2. https://www.hrsa.gov/about/organization/bureaus/owh/index.html
3. https://askjan.org/organizations/Office-on-Women-s-Health.cfm