Poster

Health disparities exist for almost every subgroup of the female population at some time across the lifespan. There are numerous sociocultural and socioeconomic barriers to seeking health care for minority women, women with comorbidities and female veterans. This poster session will discuss how disparities among minority women are often a result of oppression, stress, lack of education, geographical location, and low socioeconomic status and must be addressed through culturally appropriate policies and interventions. This session will also explore areas of health care that have neglected to recognize the impact certain diseases and lifestyle factors have on women. Stroke, intimate partner violence and conditions like interstitial cystitis create opportunities to highlight risk factors and encourage increased research. Motherhood is a vital component to the lives of most women, resulting in an immense time and energy commitment to their families. Presenters will highlight the implications this commitment often has on maternal self-care and family preparedness. As leaders of communities and families, women will play a vital role in any emergency preparedness activity; several potential disasters will be presented, necessitating the development of a preparedness curriculum for women.

Session Objectives: 1. Identify socio-cultural factors that may inhibit women from seeking health services. 2. Articulate recommendations for health service providers who work with female populations facing multiple health disparities. 3. Recognize the need for greater intervention efforts for women dealing with under recognized health conditions. 4. Describe how mothering and care-giving demands can be addressed in health promotion programs. 5. Describe the correlation between specific health conditions and stress, trauma, oppression, health care barriers and socioeconomic disadvantages. 6. Develop a plan of outreach to women in order to enhance community preparedness.