Women's Health USA 2006

Health Services Utilization

Preventive Care

Counseling, education, and screening can help prevent or minimize the effects of many serious health conditions. In 2003, females of all ages made just over 537 million physician office visits, compared to only 368 million made by males. Of visits made by females, 18.7 percent were for preventive care, including prenatal care, screenings, and insurance examination.

Mammograms and Pap smears are two preventive services that are especially important to women’s health. Routine Pap smears, which detect the early signs of cervical cancer, are recommended within 3 years of initiation of sexual activity, or by age 21. Mammography is recommended every 1 to 2 years for women aged 40 and older to screen for breast cancer. In 2003, 6 percent of all office visits made by women aged 18 or older included a Pap smear, and 4.6 percent of all office visits made by women 40 and older included a mammogram. An office visit including a Pap smear was most common among women aged 18 to 24 years, while an office visit with a mammogram was most common among women aged 50 to 59 years.

Vaccination is another important preventive measure that women can take to protect their health. Vaccination for influenza is generally recommended for young children, older adults, and adults with certain health conditions. In 2004, 65.9 percent of women aged 65 and older reported receiving a flu vaccine in the past year. Pneumonia vaccine is also recommended for older adults and people with certain health conditions. In 2004, almost 60 percent of women aged 65 and older reported ever receiving the vaccine. Recently, Hepatitis B vaccination was recommended for everyone under age 18 and people with certain health risks. In 2004, almost 60 percent of women aged 18 to 24 years of age reported ever having received at least one dose in the three dose series; rates were highest among non-Hispanic Whites and women of other races, and lowest among Hispanics.

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Women's Health USA 2006 is not copyrighted. Readers are free to duplicate and use all or part of the information contained on this page. Suggested Citation: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Women's Health USA 2006. Rockville, Maryland: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2006.