Skip to Main Content

Print | Bookmark | Font Size: + |

May 8, 2012

Spotlight Women's Health in May in Recognition of Women's Health Week, and Women's Checkup Day

Mother's Day Sunday, May 13 through Saturday, May 19 is National Women's Health Week — and Monday, May 14 is National Women's Checkup Day. National Women's Health Week brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women's health. This year's observance advises women that "It's Your TimeExternal Website" to make health a top priority. Please join CMS in honoring women during the Month of May by supporting efforts to promote and protect the health, safety, and quality of life of women.

Did You Know?
The leading causes of death in females in the United States are:

All Females, All Ages

  • Heart Disease

25.1%

6. Unintentional Injuries

 3.6%

  • Cancer

22.1%

7. Diabetes

 2.9%

  • Stroke

  6.7%

8. Influenza and Pneumonia

 2.3%

  • Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases

 5.5%

9. Kidney Disease

 2.0%

  • Alzheimer's Disease

 4.3%

10. Septicemia

 1.6%

2007 data. Source – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office of Women's Health websiteExternal Website

Medicare provides coverage for a range of preventive services that can help women prevent disease, manage their health conditions, and detect disease early. As a result of the Affordable Care Act, women and others with Medicare can now receive many preventive services at no additional cost.  Below is a list of some of the preventive services covered by Medicare, subject to certain requirements:

  • Annual Wellness Visit
  • Glaucoma Screening
  • Welcome to Medicare Preventive Visit
  • HIV Screening
  • Bone Mass Measurements
  • Immunizations (Seasonal Influenza, Pneumococcal, and Hepatitis B)
  • Cancer Screenings  such as mammograms, pap tests, pelvic exams (includes a clinical breast exam), and colorectal cancer screenings
  • Screening for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and High-Intensity Behavioral Counseling (HIBC) to prevent STIs
  • Cardiovascular Disease Screening
  • Tobacco-Use Cessation Counseling
  • Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Cardiovascular Disease
  • Screening for Depression in Adults
  • Diabetes Screening
  • Intensive Behavioral Therapy for Obesity

As a provider of healthcare services to people with Medicare and women in particular, this month presents a wonderful opportunity to help women to Take the Pledge! to get healthier by recommending steps to improve their physical and mental health, as well as lower their risks for certain diseases by:

  • Regular exercise/increased activity
  • Healthy food choices
  • Attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress
  • Avoidance of unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet and
  • Taking advantage of appropriate preventive services and screenings

Women are our mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts, wives, friends, neighbors, co-workers, colleagues, and caregivers – Your encouragement can help promote and improve the health, safety, and quality of life for women and just might save their lives.

More Information for Healthcare Professionals:

spacer

26 Century Blvd Ste ST610, Nashville, TN 37214-3685 © CGS Administrators, LLC. All Rights Reserved