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Did You Know
Each year cervical cancer kills about 3,700 women. In 2006, over 10,000 women will be newly diagnosed with cervical cancer.
Our Mission
Advance comprehensive women's health in Wisconsin by engaging, educating,
empowering and mobilizing individuals and organizations.

Additional Women's Health Issues

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Body Image

US society equates thinness with both success and happiness, and nearly every American woman, man, and child has suffered and my still suffer from issues of weight, body shape, and self-image.

4Woman.Gov
National Eating Disorders Association

Breast Cancer

At present, breast cancer is the second leading cancer killer of American women claiming the lives of 43,300 women in 1999. However, with increased use of mammography screening and self-breast exams, breast cancers are detected earlier in their development when they are more treatable.

BreastCancer.org
ABCD After Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Breast Cancer Recovery Foundation
Suean G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Gilda's Club

Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women across all racial and ethnic groups in Wisconsin. Cardiovascular disease refers to a variety of diseases and conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels, such as heart attack (coronary heart disease), high blood pressure (hypertension), and brain attack (stroke).

Go Red for Women
American Heart Association Women's Site
Heart Information Network
Women's Heart Institute
CDC Cardiovascular Health Program

Cervical Cancer

In the U.S., it is expected that 13,000 women will develop cervical cancer in 2002; and 4100 women will die of cervical cancer in 2002. This puts cervical cancer as the 12th most common cancer that women develop, and the 14th most common cause of cancer death for women in the U.S. Right now, the most important thing any woman can do to decrease her risk of dying from cervix cancer is to undergo regular Pap testing. The reason that women have had such a drastic drop in cervical cancer cases and deaths in this country has been because of the Pap test and annual screening.

Cervical Cancer Public Education Campaign
WAWH Cervical Health Information

Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in the United States. Women who are victims of domestic violence are more likely to attempt suicide, suffer from depression, anxiety, general chronic pain, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, arthritis, and stomach ulcers. Many pregnant women miscarry as a result of beatings; and many birth defects are caused by assault on the mother during pregnancy. Many women have been infected with HIV by batterers who force them into unprotected sex.

Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Violence Against Women Online Resources
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Taskforce on Family Violence
RaisingHerVoice.org

Environmental Health

Mercury in Fish
Fish are nutrious and good for you to eat. Most fish are safe to eat. But some fish may contain a chemical called mercury which can be dangerous to the body.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, nearly all of Wisconsin’s 15,000 lakes and 57,000 miles of rivers and streams are under a general fish consumption advisory because of elevated mercury contamination levels.

Usually due to a diet high in fish, mercury poisoning poses a threat to pregnant women and children under the age of 15 years old.

DHFS Guide to Eating Safe Fish
A Woman and Child's Guide to Eating Fish from Wisconsin (pdf file)

Hair Loss

Mistakenly thought to be a strictly male disease, women actually make up 40% percent of American hair loss sufferers. Hair loss in women can be absolutely devastating for the sufferer's self image and emotional well being. The psychological damage caused by hair loss and feeling unattractive can be just as devastating as any serious disease, and in fact, can take an emotional toll that directly affects physical health.

American Hair Loss Association
National Alopecia Areata Foundation

Lesbian Health

Lesbians have most of the same health concerns as other women. But lesbians have different ones, too. Lesbians have faced centuries of discrimination that posed a variety of health challenges. Today, with stronger community ties and support from LGBT community and health centers, many corporations, health organizations, and city and state ordinances and statutes, lesbians are more empowered to meet these challenges.

CDC LGBT Site
National Directory of LGBT Community Centers
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association

Mental Health

Approximately one in five Americans suffers from a mental disorder in any given year, and two in three adults with a diagnosed mental disorder do not receive treatment. Research shows that one in five Wisconsinites will be affected by mental illness this year, and nearly two-thirds of those with a diagnosable mental disorder do not get the treatment and support that would help them recover.

Wisconsin United for Mental Health
Mental Health of America Wisconsin
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill - Wisconsin
Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy

Minority Women's Health

Of the 281.4 million persons living in the United States in 2002, 143.4 million (50.9%) are female, and 29.5% of all U.S. citizens are of racial or ethnic minority groups. Of the 143.4 million females, 42.1 million females (or 29.3%) are members of racial and ethnic minority groups. Although these women experience many of the same health problems as White women, as a group, they are in poorer health, they use fewer health services, and they continue to suffer disproportionately from premature death, disease, and disabilities. Many also face tremendous social, economic, cultural, and other barriers to achieving optimal health.

Wisconsin Minority Health Program
womenshealth.gov
WAWH Resources for Women of Color

Oral Health

Many risk factors contribute to mothers having premature, low birth weight babies. Mouting evidence suggests pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be as much as seven times more likely to have a baby that is premature.

Wisconsin Oral Health Coalition
Health Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition - Oral Health & Pregnancy
Baby Steps to a Healthy Pregnancy & On-Time Delivery

Smoking Cessation

Tobacco use is a critical women’s health issue – it is estimated that 20 percent of women smoke nationwide. It is the primary cause of lung cancer, which is the leading cancer killer of women, and is also a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the overall leading killer of women. Smoking cessation is crucial to improving women’s health.

Wisconsin Tobacco Quitline (toll-free) – 1-877-270-STOP

Quit Net
First Breath
Smoke Free Wisconsin
Women Against Lung Cancer
American Legacy Foundation
Whats New
Provide Your Feedback of the WI Women's Health Guide!

Women's Health Policy Summit

Raising Women's Voices for the Health Care We Need

NEW - Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Survey Report

Resources to Access Health Care
WI Women's Health Guide
Recursos En Español

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