For many women, the demands of work, family, and a busy life often leave them with little time to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
That’s why in 1999, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health inaugurated National Women’s Health Week (NWHW), which officially ran from May 11 -17. Many organizations also officially recognize National Women’s Health Awareness Month throughout May.
And, of course, women’s health issues are important year-round.
According to Dr. Cherrie Morris, Chief Physician Executive and Vice President for Lee Health Women’s Services and Specialties, these observances serve as an important reminder for women to prioritize their well-being and embrace a proactive approach to their health.
“The observance highlights the unique health challenges women face and encourages them to take charge toward improving their physical, mental, and emotional health,” Dr. Morris says.
What challenges do women face in healthcare?
Women face specific health challenges that are different from men, including issues related to reproductive health, pregnancy, and menopause, Dr. Morris notes. Also, women have a higher susceptibility to certain diseases, like autoimmune disorders.
“These gender specific conditions can lead to delays in diagnosis, symptoms being dismissed or undertreated, and situations being misunderstood,” she says. “For example, women’s physical health symptoms are sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as stemming from mental health issues when they are actually symptomatic of an underlying chronic condition.”
Women face various stigmas in healthcare, including weight-related biases that can negatively impact communication with providers, potentially leading to overlooked concerns or inadequate preventive screenings. Additionally, women—particularly women of color—face healthcare disparities that can lead to delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatments, and poorer health outcomes.
What is Lee Health doing to address these issues?
Dr. Morris says Lee Health is currently positioning itself as an educational resource platform specifically for women’s health issues.
The goal, she says, is to “provide reliable information on topics like cardiac health, endometriosis, pelvic pain, polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility, mental health, and postpartum depression.”
Lee Health is also working to improve access to affordable healthcare services, including preventive screenings and mental health services. Dr. Morris acknowledges that women use more outpatient services than men, but often have less time for appointments. As such, she intends to make healthcare more convenient through expanded telemedicine services and virtual visit capabilities, easier appointment scheduling, and ensuring affordability for all women regardless of economic status.
Streamlining patient access, particularly through digital tools like MyChart, can significantly enhance convenience as well, Dr. Morris notes.
Finally, the nurses with Lee Health Women’s Services partner with local organizations to provide women in underserved communities with essential healthcare services and resources.
“As an example,” she says, “our prenatal clinics in these areas are staffed by certified nurse-midwives so that all pregnant women and their babies receive the care they deserve.”
What role do community partnerships play?
Community partnerships are essential for providing comprehensive care, according to Dr. Morris. She highlights organizations like Healthy Start, which builds trust with underserved communities and provides resources like prenatal services, postpartum care, newborn services, car seats, and diapers to those in need.
Beyond operational improvements, fostering community connections is crucial, Dr. Morris notes. Healthcare organizations should strive to make patients aware of local resources, mentorship programs, emotional support networks, and assistance for families in crisis.
Programs like Better Together, which help single mothers and families in need, demonstrate the importance of integrating community partnerships into healthcare planning, she says.
“Partnering with and promoting community programs like Healthy Start and Better Together helps address social determinants of health and provide support beyond clinical care,” says Dr. Morris. “These are valuable community partnership resources that can further improve outreach and patient support. Ultimately, comprehensive healthcare access requires a balance between digital efficiency, provider availability, and strong community engagement.”
Looking ahead: Lee Health’s vision for women’s healthcare?
Dr. Morris believes a multifaceted approach to women’s healthcare should encompass education, access to care, and community resources. As Lee Health Women’s Service Line continues to expand its comprehensive care and personalized treatment options, she envisions:
• A centralized platform for reliable health information
• Improved scheduling systems for convenient, coordinated care
• Better access to affordable services
• Integration with community resources
• Enhanced digital access with provider resources to support it
“Ultimately, we want to provide comprehensive care for women across generations, working past biases, disparities, and stigmas to help women be active participants in their healthcare journey,” she says.
Lee Health Women’s Service Line
Lee Health provides comprehensive women’s health services, encompassing obstetrics and gynecology, maternity care, and breast health services, delivered with compassion and personalized attention.
Our specialists deliver comprehensive women’s healthcare services, incorporating preventative medicine, routine examinations, and advanced diagnostic testing to ensure optimal care across all life stages.
We invite you to read more about our programs, essential tests, resources, and everything you need to stay informed and healthy.
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