WISEWOMAN – Heart Health for Uninsured and Under-insured Women

The Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for WOMen Across the Nation program – known as WISEWOMAN – consists of 15 CDC-funded programs established in 13 states and 2 tribal organizations. Through these programs, WISEWOMAN provides screening for heart disease and stroke risk factors and lifestyle interventions for many low-income, uninsured, or under-insured women aged 40–64.

Heart disease is a major health problem for women. According to CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for American women. One in five women has some form of heart or blood vessel disease. WISEWOMAN provides uninsured and under-insured women with opportunities, skills, and knowledge to help them adopt a heart healthy lifestyle and prevent heart disease and stroke.

WISEWOMAN programs operate on the local level in funded states and tribal organizations. Eligible women receive standard preventive services including blood pressure and cholesterol testing. Most programs also screen for diabetes. Women are not just tested and referred but can also take advantage of lifestyle interventions that target poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and smoking. Examples of what is offered include healthy cooking classes, walking clubs, and quit-smoking classes. The interventions may vary from program to program, but all are designed to teach the skills needed for making lasting, healthy lifestyle changes.

The WISEWOMAN program was established in 1993. Legislation authorized expansion of the services offered through CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) to include screenings and interventions for chronic disease risk factors. Women must be 40-64 years old and participate in NBCCEDP to be eligible for WISEWOMAN. While NBCCEDP is available in all US states, territories and tribal organizations, the WISEWOMAN program is currently only available in 13 states and 2 tribal organizations; see Program Locations.

For More Information

• CDC's WISEWOMAN
• WISEWOMAN FAQs
• Resources Every Woman Can Use
• CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)