National Women's Checkup Day is Monday, May 13

We All Have a Role to Play in Women’s Health

National Women’s Health Week is May 12-18 and National Women's Checkup Day is Monday, May 13. National Women's Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the HHS Office on Women's Health. It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women's health and its importance. Please join CMS in honoring women during the Month of May by supporting efforts in your community 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:

1.            Heart Disease: 24.0%                                                  6.            Unintentional Injuries: 3.5%

2.            Cancer: 22.2%                                                              7.            Diabetes: 2.8%

3.            Stroke:   6.3%                                                               8.            Influenza and pneumonia: 2.3%

4.            Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases:   5.9%               9.            Kidney Disease: 2.0%

5.            Alzheimer’s Disease: 4.5%                                          10.          Septicemia: 1.6%  

         2009 data. Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention Office of Women’s Health website

Medicare-Covered Preventive Services of Particular Interest to Women

Women with Medicare are now covered for many preventive services and screenings that can help them take steps to improve and maintain their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases, including:

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

For More Information:  

• MLN Preventive Services Educational Products for Health Professionals
• CMS Prevention website 
• CMS Immunizations website 
• MLN National Provider Calls and Events website 
• DHHS National Women’s Health Week and National Women’s Checkup Day website