Imperative President Calls IOM Recommendations of Preventive Services, “A Major Gain for Black Women – All Women”

Imperative President Calls IOM Recommendations of Preventive Services,
“A Major Gain for Black Women – All Women”

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 20, 2011 – Today, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) eight preventive health services and screenings that support women’s overall health and wellness. The Black Women’s Health Imperative (Imperative) applauds these recommendations and urges HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to move quickly to accept these recommendations as a part of our country's health care overhaul under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA).

At the request of HHS, an IOM expert panel identified critical gaps in preventive services for women and determined that health insurers should cover these services for women at no additional cost, including the full range of FDA-approved contraceptive methods, sterilization procedures, HPV screening and HIV testing.

These recommendations are seen as a “major gain for Black women and all women” by the Imperative, the nation’s only organization devoted solely to advancing the health and wellness of Black women and girls.  

"The IOM recommendations are a major gain toward addressing the gaps in women’s health and reducing health disparities among underserved communities," President and CEO of the Black Women's Health Imperative Eleanor Hinton Hoytt said.  "Preventive care has shown to be effective in improving the health of women.”

Hinton Hoytt, who testified in front of the IOM Committee on Preventive Services for Women on November 16, 2010, further stated: “We have been anxiously awaiting these recommendations. This is a bold step taken by IOM. Many of these services have been out of reach for Black women. Many Black women may now have choices that they never had in the past. With prevention coupled with outreach and education, I am hopeful that some of the health inequities Black women face will begin to dwindle.”

For the Institute of Medicine report brief and recommendations, click here.

###

The Imperative is the only organization devoted solely to advancing the health and wellness of America’s 19.5 million Black women and girls through advocacy, education and leadership develop. Founded as the National Black Women’s Health Project in 1983 by celebrated health activist Byllye Y. Avery, the Imperative promotes optimal health for Black women across their lifespan – physically, mentally and spiritually.