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$350,000 in grants to 14 organizations across Illinois, including over $26,000 in grants to Will County

 

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to improve the health of women of reproductive age, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Office of Women’s Health and Family Services has issued $350,000 in competitive grant funding to 14 organizations across the state.  Organizations will use this funding to develop plans to increase the number of women in their community who obtain a wellness check.  While each community is different, plans to increase well-woman visits may include removing obstacles to seeking care, delineating what services are available, and identifying opportunities to educate underserved women about the importance of wellness visits.

 

“Well-woman visits play a critical role in screening, diagnosing, and managing chronic diseases and mental health conditions,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.  “Ensuring women are able to access quality preventive services, such as pap smears, mammograms, and immunizations, is critical to improving health outcomes among women, especially maternal and infant outcomes.”

 

IDPH’s goal is to increase the percent of women ages 18-44 years with a preventive medical visit in the past year.  For women of reproductive age, these visits should include discussion of a reproductive life plan and identification of activities to achieve optimal health prior to pregnancy.  During 2016, 69.2% of women ages 18-44 years had a well woman visit in the past year, translating to 7 in 10 Illinois women.  A variety of factors impact a woman’s ability to receive care including cost, availability of providers, transportation, competing priorities, and health literacy (understanding the importance of preventive care and knowing how to navigate the health care system).

 

Organization City Area/Population Amount
Asian Human Services Chicago Chicago/Asian $27,000
Calhoun County Health Department Hardin Central/Rural $23,805
Cass County Health Department Virginia Central/Rural $23,400
Erie Family Health Chicago Chicago $27,000
Fulton County Health Department Canton Central/Rural $27,000
Henry County Health Department Kewanee Central/Rural $27,000
Illinois Migrant Council Champaign, Rantoul, Rockford, Crystal Lake, Harvard Statewide/rural $23,117
Kankakee County Health Department Kankakee North/Mixed $27,000
Mercer County Health Department Aledo Central/Rural $27,000
Metropolitan Breast Cancer Task Force Chicago Chicago/Urban $27,000
OSF St. Joseph Medical Center Bloomington Central/Mixed $22,392
Perry County Health Department Pinckneyville South/Rural $22,429
Primecare Community Health Chicago Chicago/Hispanic $19,538
Will County Health Department Joliet North $26,640

 

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