The overarching goal of the Women’s Health Services Program (WHSP) as established by Amended Substitute House Bill 119 (126^th Ohio General Assembly), is to improve the health and well-being of women, infants, children and families by assuring health care access for a vulnerable population of low-income women.  

Women’s health care exists as a continuum across life.  The goals of care are to maintain healthy lifestyles and minimize health risks; specific objectives vary as to the stage of life.  For each stage, comprehensive medical examinations are an ideal time to not only render care but to offer preventive services.  Opportunities for screening in women’s health target conditions such as reproductive tract cancers, breast cancer, sexually transmitted diseases (STD’s), sexual coercion,  domestic violence, substance abuse and poor birth outcomes.  Elimination of unhealthy lifestyles and prevention of chronic diseases, including cancer, may have an impact not only on long-term health of women but also on the reduction of conditions influencing the health of the next generation of children and adults, such as low birth weight infants.  

The inter-relationship of poor birth outcomes with pre-pregnancy health is reflected    in the infant mortality rate (IMR).  The IMR is indicative of the overall state of maternal health and the quality and accessibility of primary health care.  Because nearly half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, a figure that is  higher for adolescents (90 percent), pre-pregnancy planning is important, particularly for vulnerable populations.    

 

Programs are focused on the target population of clients who are at the greatest risk for poor health outcomes. These are clients who have incomes at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level and who are either uninsured or underinsured. Significant health disparities occur across segments of the population including differences by race/ethnicity, gender, education or income, disability, geographic location and special population groups. Many of the diseases or conditions accounting for the most disparate gaps in health status are preventable. Clients within this population, including those that work in full-time positions, often have no health insurance, insurance that does not cover needed services, insurance premiums that are cost-prohibitive or a high deductible.  All of these factors create barriers to care.  Most low-income female clients 18 years and older are ineligible for Medicaid unless they are pregnant or less than 60 days post-partum. 

All WHSP grants must be comprehensive, collaborative and assure access to health care.  Services must be available on the sliding-fee scale based on the federal poverty level for all clients; be provided in underserved areas; expand  existing programs to achieve a comprehensive balance of services; and address health disparities (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, education or income, disability, geographic location and special population groups).  WHSP projects should include and are limited to the following:

• Pelvic exams and lab testing.
  
• Breast exams and patient education on breast cancer.
  
• Screening for cervical cancer; screening and treatment for STD’s and HIV screening; voluntary choice of contraception, including abstinence and natural family planning.
  
• Patient education and pre-pregnancy counseling on the dangers of smoking, alcohol and drug use during pregnancy.
  
• Education on sexual coercion and violence in relationships; and prenatal care or referral for prenatal care.

Twenty-one local health departments are currently funded to provide Women’s Health Services.  In 2007, this project provided prenatal and postpartum care to 1,862 prenatal patients and reproductive health care to 14,537 clients in more than 30,000 visits.

The requirements of this program are found in the Ohio Administrative Code 3701-68-01 (Women’s Health Services Program), and are available on the Ohio Department of Health’s Website http://www.odh.ohio.gov (click on Rules and Regulations, then click on Final Rules; then click on 3701-68; then click on 3701-69-01 for  program guidance).
                                                         

Program Contact Information:  
Judith Hauser, Health Planning Administrator
Telephone:     (614) 644-1107
Fax:                 (614) 564-2443

E-mail: Judith.Hauser@odh.ohio.gov

Mailing Address:
Ohio Department of Health
Bureau of Child and Family Health Services
246 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43215


Last Updated: 01/29/09