Region VIII

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Region VIII Consists of:

• Colorado
• Montana
• North Dakota
• South Dakota
• Utah
• Wyoming

Region VIII Overview

Region VIII comprises Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. IN terms of demographics, women in Region VIII are primarily white. American Indian women and Latinas are the largest minority populations in this region. In addition, this region is very much a rural and frontier area with only a few large metropolitan areas. Some key women's health issues in Region VIII are heart disease, stroke, cancers, access to care, mental health, suicide, domestic violence, and substance abuse.

State of Colorado

Colorado does not have an official Office on Women's Health. The current coordinator also serves as the director of the women's health section which includes the Title X grant program and the breast and cervical screening program. There is a Rural and Frontier Coordinating Center at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. This is a new project for 2005-2006.There is a strategic planning process related to women's health as outlined in the document Healthy Colorado Women: Steps to Success. This report provides data and strategies for improving the health of Colorado women. This document is not available on line.Another unique program is a social marketing campaign to promote adequate weight gain during pregnancy called A Healthy Baby is Worth the Weight. Consumers and providers are both targeted.

For more details on this state's women's health activities, go to http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/cdphehom.asp.

State of Montana

Montana does not have an Office on Women's Health. The current coordinator is the Health Education Specialist in the Men's and Women's Health Section which primarily focuses on the Title X grant program.A strategic planning process for women's health has begun in 2005. The current focus is on coordination and gaps within state health department health programs. Expanding the focus of the strategic planning process in 2006 is anticipated.Many small contracts have been awarded in Montana related to women's health including health fairs for National Women's Health Week, educational programs on osteoporosis, heart disease, and eating disorders, and there is a Pick Your Path to Health project with the Morning Stars Circle of Women.

For more details on this state's women's health activities, go to http://www.dphhs.mt.gov.

State of North Dakota

North Dakota does not have an Office on Women's Health. The current coordinator is the Director of the Title X Family Planning program. Statewide programs focused on women's health include statewide listings of services for women and children, and a newsletter for new mothers.There is a National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health demonstration project at the University of North Dakota.

For more information, go to http://www.und.nodak.edu/dept/womenshealth or http://www.womenshealth.gov/owh.

For more details on this state's women's health activities, go to http://www.health.state.nd.us.

State of South Dakota

South Dakota not have an Office on Women's Health. The current coordinator is the coordinator for the All Women Count program, a WISEWOMAN project. There is a National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health demonstration project at the University of South Dakota.

For more information, go to http://www.usd.edu/med/ruralhealth/coe.cfm or http://www.womenshealth.gov/owh.

For more details on this state's women's health activities, go to http://www.state.sd.us/doh.

State of Utah

Utah does not have an Office on Women's Health. The current coordinator is the manager of the reproductive health program and part of the Title V block grant program. There are several women's health projects currently underway in Utah including a Go Red for Women project and several small contracts for National Women's Health Week.There is a National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health demonstration project at the University of Utah and a Rural/Frontier Coordinating Center at Utah Navaho Health Services.

For more information on both programs, go to http://www.womenshealth.gov/owh.

For more details on this state's women's health activities, go to http://health.utah.gov.

State of Wyoming

Wyoming does not have an Office on Women's Health. The current coordinator is manager of the perinatal systems program and located in the Maternal and Child Health/ Title V program.The state is working on a five-year needs assessment project that includes women's health.There is a Rural/Frontier Coordinating Center at the Wyoming Health Council.

For more information, go to http://www.womenshealth.gov/owh.

For more details on this state's women's health activities, go to http://wdh.state.wy.us/main/index.asp.

Content last updated November 1, 2005.