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U S Department of Health and Human Services www.hhs.govOffice of Public Health and Science
WomensHealth.gov - The Federal Source for Women's Health Information Sponsored by the H H S Office on Women's Health
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Health Professionals: Your Role in Women's Health
Health Professionals: Your Role in Women's Health Icon

Health Professionals:
Your Role in Women's Health

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As a health care professional, you know that women’s health is often very different from men’s health. Not just in the obvious ways, such as reproduction or pregnancy, but also in how frequently conditions occur and how they are treated.

Unfortunately, many women aren’t aware of these differences. They may still think that heart disease is a man’s condition and isn’t an issue for them. They also may not be aware that they are twice as likely to suffer from depression or anxiety disorders as men. Or that most cases of diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis occur in women.

That’s where you come in. You can educate your patients about the special risks they face. You also see things that no one else sees. The bruises and history of broken bones that may indicate domestic abuse. The mood changes and problems sleeping that can come with depression or anxiety. You can help women become more aware of these and other symptoms that may indicate a problem. You can do this during a general checkup, if you have the resources.

This section of womenshealth.gov is specifically for you, the health care professional. It contains a wealth of resources to help you keep up with the latest in women’s health research. It also gives you a way to quickly find accurate and specific information. There are also resources you can print out and share with your patients. With this section, you can empower your female patients and give them the information they need to become better health consumers.

Content last updated December 1, 2008.

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