The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #64866

Deborah R. Maiese, MPA, Director, Office of Women's Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10C-09, Rockville, MD 20857, 301-443-8695, dmaiese@hrsa.gov, Claire Brindis, DrPH, Center for Reproductive Health Research and Policy, University of California at San Francisco, 3333 California Street; Suite 265, San Francisco, CA 94143-0936, and Joanne Leslie, ScD, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Box 951772, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772.

Primary and secondary prevention efforts to reduce the incidence and severity of lifestyle-related and chronic illnesses are important national health goals. There has been a growing recognition for more preventive health care for girls and women of all ages to prevent illness, disability, and premature mortality. However, there is still considerable improvement needed to meet Healthy People 2010 targets. One approach to increasing the use of preventive services and to reduce health disparities is to provide consumers, their health care providers, and community organizations with practical preventive health resources appropriate to each stage of the lifecycle. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with other federal and non-federal organizations, has begun an initiative to increase awareness and use of preventive health services for women across the lifespan. The Bright Futures for Women's Health and Wellness Initiative (BFWHW) is based on Bright Futures for Children and Adolescents, which are HRSA-funded health education resource tools for primary care providers, families, and caregivers. The BFWHW Initiative is structured around a lifespan approach beginning with adolescent girls. This presentation will describe current efforts around a 4-component integrative model for the development of patient/provider tools and a community resource kit. The initial set of tools is focused on physical activity and nutrition to address the epidemic of overweight and sedentary behavior. Subsequent tools will build upon lessons learned from short term and long term evaluation efforts.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to:
• 1.Describe the health status of women and adolescent girls across the lifespan in relationship to the Healthy People 2010 targets and report on women's use of clinical preventive health services.
• 2.Introduce preventive health tools for patient/provider discussion of physical activity and nutrition during health care visits.
• 3.Identify physical activity and healthy eating collaborations for women and adolescent girls within the community setting.

Keywords: Women's Health, Prevention

Related Web page: www.hrsa.gov/womenshealth/brightfut.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.