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About WISEWOMAN
Capitalizing on Opportunities
to Improve the Health of Women
Background
 WISEWOMAN
consists of 15 CDC funded WISEWOMAN projects in states and tribal
organizations. Through these 15 projects, WISEWOMAN provides screening and
lifestyle interventions for many low-income and uninsured women.
Currently, CDC funds 15 WISEWOMAN projects in 15 states and tribal
organizations. Special projects and related studies at Prevention Research
Centers are also CDC-funded to determine which interventions most
effectively prevent or delay cardiovascular disease and other chronic
diseases among uninsured and financially disadvantaged women.
CDC Program Activity
CDC's state-based National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection
Program offers an established framework that provides the opportunity to
target other chronic diseases among women, including heart disease, the
leading cause of death among women. Women who are eligible for the
National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) are
also eligible for WISEWOMAN. Although more than half of all deaths from
heart disease and stroke occur in women, heart disease in women is often
diagnosed at an advanced stage. Addressing risk factors such as elevated
cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diabetes,
and smoking greatly reduces a woman's risk of cardiovascular
disease-related illness and death.
Services Provided
WISEWOMAN provides these additional services:
- Screening for chronic disease risk factors.
- Dietary, physical activity, and smoking cessation interventions.
- Referral and follow-up as appropriate.
Evidence of Success
- As of 2004, more than 21,000 low-income women have participated in
the
WISEWOMAN program.
- WISEWOMAN program participants are more likely to return for regular
health screenings.
- Ten percent of smokers have quit.
- Women’s blood pressure has decreased, as well as their cholesterol
levels.
Opportunity
The WISEWOMAN Program has currently reached the maximum number of
projects at 15 as authorized by legislation. The success of the WISEWOMAN
program has been documented in the June, 2004 issue of the Journal of
Women’s Health. The program continues to make significant progress towards
eliminating health disparities and responding to the preventive health
care needs of low-income women. Expansion plans for the WISEWOMAN program
are contingent upon Congressional authorization beyond fiscal year 2004.
Related Information
*One or more documents on this Web page is available in Portable Document
Format (PDF). You will need Acrobat Reader
(a free application) to view and print these documents.
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