Improving Maternal Health
Learn more about our statewide maternal health collaboration that is saving lives and helping women be healthier »
Health Risks for Women
Women have unique health needs and different health risks than men. While some of these risks are similar for both sexes, there are risks exclusive to the female population.
Heart Disease
It’s the number 1 killer for both men and women, and it is the cause for 29 percent of deaths among women. The biggest issue, though, is premature death. Many times the symptoms go unnoticed since they aren’t always the classic symptoms, like chest pain. Women may experience symptoms like jaw pain, shoulder ache, nausea and vomiting. Reduce your risk of heart disease by practicing healthy habits like eating a well-balanced diet and exercising regularly.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is the number one cancer among women and is the second leading cause of death for women.
Risk factors include:
- Increasing age
- Small, thin-boned frame
- Ethnicity (white and Asian women are at a higher risk)
- Family history
- Hormones (infrequent menstrual cycles and estrogen loss due to menopause may increase risk)
- Anorexia
- Diet low in calcium and vitamin D
- Medication use, particularly glucocorticoids or some anticonvulsants
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis largely affects women, and it’s also preventable. Most of bone mass is acquired before 30 years of age. Then, the focus is on maintaining that mass. Consuming calcium and weight-bearing exercises can help prevent bone loss. Risk factors for osteoporosis in women include:
- Increasing age
- Small, thin-boned frame
- Ethnicity (white and Asian women are at a higher risk)
- Family history
- Hormones (infrequent menstrual cycles and estrogen loss due to menopause may increase risk)
- Anorexia
- Diet low in calcium and vitamin D
- Medication use, particularly glucocorticoids or some anticonvulsants
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Depression
Women are twice as likely than men to suffer from depression. It can be brought on by a number of things like giving birth (postpartum) and even around menopause. Other significant life events can also trigger depressive episodes including marital problems, chronic illnesses, substance abuse, prior history of depression and even some medications.
Autoimmune Diseases
About 75 percent of all autoimmune diseases are diagnosed in women. This includes diabetes, thyroid disorders and lupus. Autoimmune diseases are not well understood, and they can be difficult to diagnose. It’s important to keep track of any symptoms that could be related to an autoimmune disorder and ask your doctor to thoroughly investigate.
Blue Primary Care Home
Blue Primary Care Home creates a wellness “home” where patients visit for preventive wellness care, management of chronic health conditions and coordination of care. Blue Primary Care puts you at the center of your care and encourages ownership of health through preventive care facilitated by an annual wellness visit and more frequent follow up visits for those of us with increased risks for chronic conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. Your Blue Primary Care Home is:
- Where you visit each year for your annual Healthy You! wellness visit and screenings
- Where you go throughout the year for care in managing your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol
- Where you go when you require care that needs to be coordinated with another Network Provider or you need to be referred to a Network Specialist or Center of Excellence
Women's Wellness Home
Women’s Wellness Home is an extension of our Blue Primary Care initiative that places the focus of care on prevention and management of health risks through a relationship with a Network Provider who serves in the central role of coordinating care for patients. The Women’s Wellness Home care model expands the focus of care for Network OB-GYNs to include a focus on wellness and personal health ownership by serving as a “home” for wellness and management of health conditions based on an individual plan of care.
Women's Wellness Home Partners
- Oxford Clinic for Women
- Physicians & Surgeons Clinic
- East Lakeland Ob-Gyn
- Lakeland Premier Women's Clinic
- Southern Women's Health
- Jackson Healthcare for Women
- The Woman's Clinic
- Women's Pavilion of South Mississippi
