Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #103405

Diana Cheng, MD, Medical Director, Women's Health; Center for Maternal and Child Health, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 201 W. Preston Street, Room 317, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-767-6719, ChengD@dhmh.state.md.us and Priti R. Patel, MD, MPH, Preventive Medicine Resident, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, assigned to Center for Maternal and Child Health, Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, 201 W. Preston St., Rm 317, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Background: Women of reproductive age often experience a gap between healthcare needs and services received. Although these women will typically seek healthcare for pregnancy or family planning, their need for services that promote wellness beyond reproductive health is often ignored. System integration of various healthcare services at a single point of entry may enhance the delivery of care for underserved women. Methods: The Women Enjoying Life Longer (WELL) Project was initiated by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Following a local needs assessment, screening and other preventive services were added to family planning centers in Eastern Baltimore County. WELL Project activities were evaluated, focusing on the implementation and early impact of services, and patient and staff perceptions. Results: The Baltimore County Family Planning Program serves women who traditionally have difficult access to healthcare. Most clients have incomes at or below the Federal Poverty Level and are uninsured; one-third are African-American. The WELL Project added preventive health services to three family planning clinics that serve approximately 1,500 women annually. Services introduced include: nutrition and physical activity counseling, adult immunizations, smoking cessation management, as well as screening and referrals for substance abuse, domestic violence, and chronic disease. Patient volume at WELL clinics has increased dramatically during the project period. Surveyed patients responded positively to services offered and identified many of the services as ones they would not have otherwise received. Further results of the WELL evaluation will be presented, as well as a description of the integration process.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss potential strategies to improve access or enhance the delivery of women’s health care;
• Describe features of a clinical women’s health model;
• Identify potential strengths and limitations of a women’s health integration project.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.