Prioritizing women’s health – this month and always
Women have a unique and complex set of health needs that require regular care and attention. Yet, too often, women put the well-being of their families ahead of their own. That’s why May is an important time to highlight two national observances that serve as reminders to prioritize women’s health: Women’s Health Awareness Month and National Women’s Health Week.
National Women’s Health Week, observed this year from May 11-17, always begins on Mother’s Day. Led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health, the week aims to empower women to take charge of their health and focus on preventive care.
Tanureet Kochar, M.D., is a dual board-certified internal medicine and geriatric physician at The Wright Center for Community Health. Dr. Kochar serves as core faculty of the Internal Medicine Residency and Geriatric Fellowship programs at The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education.
At The Wright Center, we’re proud to support women through every stage of life with integrated, patient-centered services that make it easier to stay on top of wellness. Our regional community health centers offer a comprehensive range of physical, dental, and behavioral health services under one roof, helping women manage their health alongside their busy lives. We encourage our patients to think of us as their medical home – a trusted partner in lifelong care.
Our women’s health services include:
- Gynecological checkups
- Pelvic and breast exams
- Cervical cancer screenings
- Well-woman visits
- Bone density testing
- Family planning
- Immunizations
- Pap smears and HPV testing
- STI testing and treatment
- Hormonal testing
We accept all insurance plans, including Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and many private carriers. For those without insurance, our team of enrollment assisters can guide you through coverage options, and our sliding-fee discount program helps ensure quality care remains accessible and affordable for everyone.
Preventive care is one of our top priorities. To help patients avoid chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers, we offer Lifestyle Medicine and Obesity Medicine programs. These services provide personalized support from dietitians, counselors, and other health professionals to help patients build sustainable, healthy habits.
We also understand that a woman’s role as a caregiver often extends to her children. That’s why we offer exceptional pediatric care, from newborn checkups and immunizations to school physicals and developmental guidance – helping parents support their children’s well-being from infancy through young adulthood.
Lastly, I want to recognize the vital work of our Healthy MOMS (Maternal Opiate Medical Support) Program. In collaboration with local partners, this initiative supports pregnant women and new mothers in recovery from substance use disorders. Through a combination of medication-assisted treatment, behavioral health care, case management, and social services, the program aims to support both mom and baby through the child’s second birthday.
Research shows that when expectant mothers begin recovery services early, they significantly reduce the risk of their newborns developing neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) – a painful and potentially serious withdrawal condition in infants exposed to drugs in the womb.
At The Wright Center, women’s health is a priority year-round. During this month of awareness, we encourage all women to take the time to prioritize their own well-being – because caring for yourself is one of the most powerful ways to care for others.
