Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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FAQsOn This Page:
WISEWOMAN stands for Well–Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation. Many health programs include testing for cholesterol and blood pressure, but not all provide lifestyle education or testing at no or low cost—WISEWOMAN does. Through WISEWOMAN, qualified women receive testing and may receive educational programs that help women lower their risk for heart disease. These programs help women adopt healthy eating patterns and encourage women to be more physically active. Classes, quitlines, and counseling to help women deal with stress or quit smoking are offered. WISEWOMAN aims to help women know their risk for heart disease and develop a heart healthy lifestyle. Why should I join the WISEWOMAN program? Heart disease is a major health problem for women. In 2003, heart disease claimed the lives of more women than all forms of cancer combined, according to the American Heart Association. More women than men will die within 1 year after a heart attack. Heart disease and stroke are big problems among minority women. More women than men die of stroke each year. WISEWOMAN offers services to prevent heart disease and other major health problems, including diabetes and weight gain. How can I join the WISEWOMAN program? Is it available in my state? Contact the WISEWOMAN program in your state. If your state is not listed, a WISEWOMAN program is not located within your state. What can I do to get a WISEWOMAN program in my state? Contact your state congresswoman or congressman and express your interest in getting a WISEWOMAN program in your state. Who can join the WISEWOMAN program? Women with a low income who are between the ages of 40–64 and are enrolled in the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) are qualified for WISEWOMAN. Does the CDC WISEWOMAN program participate in community or organizational health fairs? Unfortunately, no. The CDC WISEWOMAN program staff does not
participate in community or organizational health fairs. Many of our state
programs either hold or participate in community health fairs in an effort
to recruit women for the program. However, the CDC WISEWOMAN program staff
does provide program information materials for health fairs and any other
health information function. Who benefits from WISEWOMAN services? Many women benefit from WISEWOMAN services. WISEWOMAN aims to identify a woman's risk for heart disease through blood pressure and blood cholesterol testing. Then, a health care provider informs the woman of her heart disease risk by explaining the results. Once a woman knows her risk level, she is able to reduce her risk factors for heart disease through lifestyle change classes and activities. Preventing heart disease, the number one killer of women, saves women's lives. Friends or family of women that take part in WISEWOMAN also benefit. Women who are heart healthy live longer, happier lives and are able to enjoy the company of their friends and family—without the bother of heart disease. Since low or no cost services are provided, these women and their families can save money. State health departments or health care providers also save money because these services are partially paid for through the WISEWOMAN program. WISEWOMAN funds pay for blood pressure and blood cholesterol testing at WISEWOMAN program sites or locations. Extra testing is provided at low or no cost, based upon each program's available services. Women who are tested and found to have very high blood pressure or blood cholesterol may be referred for needed services. Sometimes these services are paid for. Contact the program of interest for more information. How did the WISEWOMAN program start? When? Congress established The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) in 1991. In 1993, Congress allowed CDC to set up WISEWOMAN as a demonstration program within the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). Congress can see if it is practical to offer additional preventive services. Also, the benefits of such services for low–income and uninsured women can be measured. The CDC funded three WISEWOMAN demonstration programs in 1995. As of 2004, CDC funds 15 WISEWOMAN programs across the country. What is the relationship between the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program and WISEWOMAN? What is the difference between NBCCEDP and WISEWOMAN programs? The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)
and WISEWOMAN were born at different times from the same "parent" (the
same public health act) and are considered "sister" programs. This chart shows the difference between the two programs:
What interventions are used in WISEWOMAN programs? A description of WISEWOMAN materials that are designed specifically for participants are available. These include guides on how to make better choices for healthy living. Healthy eating information includes recipes, food buying and cooking tips. Information on safe and easy ways to be more active and fit is also shared.
Tests are conducted by the health care provider such as blood pressure and the amount of cholesterol in the blood. The results from each yearly screening visit are reviewed by the health care provider and reported to the CDC to see if they improve. Questionnaires help measure changes in healthy eating and physical activity levels as a result of participating in WISEWOMAN sessions. Lab tests are used to show changes in risk factors while questionnaires reveal behavioral changes. How are WISEWOMAN programs implemented? States or other recognized or approved organizations carry out WISEWOMAN services in local communities. Program directors choose locations within these communities based on a number of factors. Selected sites receive funds that allow services to be provided. Usually the locations are a public health department or a doctor's office. Women are able to get their cholesterol and blood pressure tested and receive educational materials or counseling. What programs currently exist? Currently, 21 programs exist in the United States: California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, SouthCentral Foundation, SEARHC (Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium), South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Oregon, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Utah, and South Carolina. Are there plans in the future to expand? The WISEWOMAN program has funded 21 state and tribal programs for the new 2008–2013 funding cycle. The success of the WISEWOMAN program has been documented in the June 2004 issue of the Journal of Women's Health. The program continues to make significant progress towards eliminating health disparities and responding to the preventive health care needs of low-income women. Expansion plans for the WISEWOMAN program are contingent upon additional Congressional funding. Authorizing and Related Legislation How can I find out about those opportunities? We have had many requests for a WISEWOMAN program to be implemented in additional states, showing that there is a strong demand out there for this kind of a program. The WISEWOMAN Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for 2008–2013 was made public in late January, 2008 on the grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov) website. As a result, 21 state and tribal programs have been selected (see program locations). The CDC WISEWOMAN program staff encourages interested states to write their congresswoman or congressman expressing the desire for a WISEWOMAN program in their states. Authorizing and Related Legislation
Where can I find scientific publications on
WISEWOMAN? See Publications for a list of publication references.
Page last reviewed: June 26, 2008 Content source: Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion |
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A
WISEWOMAN takes care of her health. She also knows that half of all
women may develop heart disease and takes steps to keep her heart healthy.
This includes having her blood pressure and blood cholesterol checked,
watching what she eats, being physically active or exercising, and
choosing not to smoke.
