Oral

Policy affects women’s health and disparities in women’s healthcare on multiple levels. This session will include discussions on the many factors that lead to political and social challenges for women, including the influence of FDA approval and celebrity spokespersons for diet aids on female body image and quality of life issues. The consideration of health outcomes and the needed services of the female population will be discussed in regards to the political barriers that can prevent research from being translated into community programs. Limitations in female representation in government or health caucuses and the implications these forums have on female health disparities are examined, and problems with health care access and insurance coverage are revealed. Research will be presented to demonstrate that access to comprehensive reproductive care, including infertility treatment, is a policy issue that impacts racial minorities disproportionately.

Session Objectives: 1. Recognize potential policy solutions for dietary supplement use and availability. 2. Describe key limitations involved when addressing women’s health issues at the county, state and federal levels. 3. Identify racial/ethnic disparities in health services in the United States. 4. Suggest policy changes to positively influence women’s health.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing