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Happy 4th of July!
As we get ready for barbecues, beach trips, and fireworks to celebrate this Independence Day, we thought the upcoming holiday would be a perfect opportunity to highlight some of the health issues facing women in the military and women veterans. This population has unique preconception health care needs, and it is vital for health care providers and health professionals to be aware how these needs can best be met. We are also featuring Healthy Women, Healthy Futures, an exciting interconception care project making a real difference in the lives of women in Oklahoma. We hope you'll find the information and resources in this newsletter helpful. Please forward the newsletter to friends or colleagues who might be interested, and don't hesitate to contact us with ideas for future features. |
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Preconception Care for Women in the Military and Women Veterans
Since 1973, the share of women in the military has grown dramatically, from 2% to 14% in 2010. Eight percent of the estimated 22 million US veterans are women; among post-9/11 veterans, nearly one in five is a woman. It is important for health professionals to consider military service whenimplementing preconception health care. Health care providers need to assess and consider the potential health risks of military
service, as women veterans may have higher risk in areas including chronic medical and mental health conditions, homelessness, and other risk factors that may be related to military service.
We highly recommend the ACOG Opinion on Health Care for Women in the Military and Women Veterans ( Obstetrics and Gynecology Number 547 Committee Opinion, December 2012) as a starting place and resource for understanding the issues surrounding preconception care for this population. The article includes background information on women in the military and an overview of health care benefits available to military women and veterans. It also focuses on the role of OB/GYNs in providing health care to this population. Steps to ensuring the highest quality of care for these women include: - Assess women for history of military service and inquire about Veteran status
- Understand reproductive health risks of military service
- Be knowledgeable about family planning and contraceptive considerations for deployed women and women Veterans
- Screen for interpersonal violence, including military sexual trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder
- Promote a research agenda that studies the effect of military status on reproductive health
- Engage with the local Veterans Health Administration Facility
Each step is discussed in detail in the article; in addition, the list of references provides a wealth of resources and information for those interested in finding out more about this important topic.
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Healthy Women, Healthy Futures
The University of Oklahoma College of Nursing
Healthy Women, Healthy Futures (HWHF) is an interconception program offered to low-income mothers in Tulsa, OK. The program collaborates with Educare and the Community Action Program of Tulsa to facilitate women's access to medical homes and comprehensive primary care. Culturally relevant
group health classes are provided for one hour each week in English and Spanish by HWHF Nurse Educators. Health navigation (case management) is provided in collaboration with the Tulsa Health Department and includes home visitation.
At program admission the woman, Nurse Educator, and Health Navigator develop an individualized health plan, including a reproductive life plan, which is reviewed every six months, and revised as needed. Individualized disease self-management education is provided by Nurse Educators for those with a chronic condition. HWHF is in its fifth year and has served over 170 participants. Each participant enrolls in the program for two years. HWHF has an average retention rate of 88% over the past four years. HWHF has changed lives. Participants are assessed at program admission and twice each year to determine the program effectiveness. Program evaluation measures participants' health knowledge, emotional and physical health, lifestyles, and birth outcomes. Quantitative and qualitative feedback is included. Program outcomes include improved health knowledge, and statistically significant improvements in both physical and mental health. Analysis of HWHF cost benefit demonstrates an approximate $3 savings for each program dollar spent.
Click here for more details about this program, including information about outcomes. You can also visit the HWHF website, contact the Project Director, and hear what this program has meant to the women involved in their own voices:
 | | Voices |
 
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Resources for Women in the Military and Women Veterans
Many thanks to Dr. Laurie Zephyrin, National Director for Reproductive Health at the VA, for her help and contributions to this newsletter! |
About the Newsletter
Thanks for reading! Is your organization doing exciting work to promote preconception health? We would love to feature you in an upcoming newsletter! Email pchhcnews@gmail.com for details, or if you have any questions about the newsletter.
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| In The News | Articles focusing on women in the military and women veterans have been popping up in the news over a variety of topics lately. These are just a sample of some of the discussion-worthy pieces out there:
Slide Show: An Army of Women and the End of the Combat Ban
(The New Yorker)
Trauma Sets Female Veterans Adrift Back Home (NY Times)
How Men Can Help Women Succeed in the Military
(The Atlantic)
The Ongoing Battle to Remove Military Sexual Assault Prosecution From the Chain of Command
(RH Reality Check)
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Preconception Health in the 2013 SACIM Report
| | The most recent report from the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality (SACIM) provides recommendations for DHHS action and a framework for a national strategy. Strategic Direction #1 addresses preconception health directly, calling for action to improve the health of women before, during, and beyond pregnancy! The entire report is available here. |
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New Research:
Men & Pregnancy Intentions
| | A fascinating and important new study by Laura Lindberg and Kathryn Kost of the Guttmacher Institute looks at birth planning and happiness about birth of their children among US men. 'Exploring U.S. Men's Birth Intentions' is currently available for purchase online, and will appear in an upcoming issue of the MCH Journal. |
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Newsletter
| This e-newsletter is archived. Find back issues of the newsletter and more information about improving preconception health and health care here.
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