UCPeople - a journal for the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) community: Information & Referral: Focus on Women’s Health

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Information & Referral: Focus on Women’s Health

Many States have designated May as Women's Health Month. Women with disabilities have many of the same health concerns and needs as all women—such as needing routine breast and cervical cancer screens or treatment for the flu or an infection. They also might have special health concerns related to their disabilities or illnesses.

However, there are barriers—both physical and attitudinal— that keep women with disabilities from getting screening and preventive care that can compromise their health. Many of the health disparities identified through research on women with disabilities may be traced back to problems in accessing health care or lack of providers who are informed about health in the context of disabilities.
According to the Center for Research on Women with Disabilities (CROWD), women with disabilities are often denied reproductive and other types of health care, or given substandard care compared to women with uncomplicated health care needs. Several studies have documented the lack of health insurance among women with disabilities.

Does your community have accessible healthcare services for women with disabilities?

You can help by educating health care providers on how they can better serve women with disabilities. The following websites provide information and materials on access to health care for women with disabilities: