HHS celebrates National Women’s Health Week, May 12-18

BISMARCK, ND - Every May beginning on Mother’s Day, is National Women’s Health Week. This week, May 12-18, aims to highlight women’s health issues and encourage women of all ages to prioritize their physical, mental and emotional well-being.

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) joins its federal partners in the Office on Women’s Health to encourage women to make sure they are current on preventive health screenings and exams and understand how they can improve their health.

During the pandemic, many women fell behind in preventive medical visits. In 2021, 68% of North Dakota women ages 18-44 had participated in a preventive health visit, down from 72% in 2019.

“Although women are resuming routine wellness visits, there is still an opportunity for more North Dakota women to take a proactive role in their health by seeking out preventive health care,” said HHS Maternal Health Specialist Angela Reinarts. “ND Medicaid and Women’s Way are available to help those unable to afford the cost of cervical and breast cancer preventive health screenings.”

This year’s theme empowers women to take charge of their health and shines a light on health issues unique to women. Each day of the week spotlights a different and timely women’s health topic and provides resources:

Empowering women in their health journey
Safe sexual health
Maternal mental health
Reducing women’s health stigma
Understanding care is there
Reproductive health from puberty to menopause
Women and heart health

ND Medicaid provides 12 months of extended health care coverage to qualifying women to help support their health and well-being after giving birth. Visit hhs.nd.gov/newmoms to learn more.

The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program helps qualifying pregnant women, new mothers, babies and young children under the age of 5 to eat well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy. Learn more at hhs.nd.gov/food-programs/WIC.

Visit hhs.nd.gov/health/women to learn more about other ND Women’s Health Services and resources or call (701) 328-5060.

For more information and resources on this week’s topics, visit www.womenshealth.gov/nwhw.

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