Oral

This session focuses on various women’s health topics (e.g., oral health, cervical cancer, general and emotional well-being, and mental health). Partnerships, whether it is between different types of health care providers or between academic institutions and community-based organizations, are vital to addressing these important women’s health issues, particularly those faced by medically underserved and otherwise vulnerable women and girls. Many health issues across a woman’s lifespan are greatly impacted by the interaction between oral and other health conditions such as pregnancy and osteoporosis. The first presentation describes a team approach to providing comprehensive care for women and in doing so, thereby addressing the otherwise fragmented delivery of medical and oral care. Because poor oral health can negatively impact a woman’s overall health, dialogue between medical and dental providers is a critical component of women's health care that needs to be improved. Informed decision making about important women’s health issues such as cervical cancer prevention and control should begin during adolescence. The second presentation describes cervical cancer prevention and control efforts that were supported through an academic-community partnership. The results of a community developed educational program called Females Against Cancer Series that was conducted with 25 mother/daughter dyads will be discussed. The third presentation in this session will discuss the evaluation findings of the Bright Futures for Women's Health and Wellness (BFWHW) Initiative. This initiative targeted improving physical health through the utilization of preventive health services. Emotional well-being topics such as self-esteem, finding balance and purpose, and connecting with others, were also addressed. Mental health is also an important, but often overlooked, dimension of women’s well-being. Although vulnerable populations of women are more likely to be adversely affected by mental illness, this group of women is also least likely to seek and receive mental health services. The last presentation is another academic-community partnership - the New Haven MOMS Partnership, which addressed women’s mental health issues among a sample of low-income, racially and ethnically diverse, pregnant and parenting women. This session addresses multiple dimensions of well-being, including physical, emotional and mental health – all of which are important across a woman’s lifespan.

Session Objectives: 1. Describe how a medical team approach can be used to deliver comprehensive women’s health care. 2. Describe how academic-community partnerships can be used to address important women’s health issues. 3. Describe multiple dimensions of health and well-being across a woman’s lifespan.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH) , Masters Certified Health Education Specialist (MCHES)