TREA: The Enlisted Association Blog

Women's Health Week

NATIONAL WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK IS MAY 12-18, 2019

TREA CHAPTERS AND MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE

In celebration of National Women’s Health Week, May 12-18, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers (VAMCs) across the country will host events to support women Veterans and connect them with VA’s health care services.

“VA is serving nearly a half million women Veterans and we want to take care of even more,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “Events like these get them through the doors, so they meet VA health providers and learn firsthand about the comprehensive services and quality care VA provides to women who have served.”

Women are among the fastest growing Veteran demographics, accounting for more than 30% of the increase in Veterans who served between 2014 and 2018. The number of women using VA health services has tripled since 2000, growing from about 160,000 to nearly 500,000 today. VA offers a wide range of primary care and specialty services for women Veterans, such as health screenings, preconception counseling, maternity care, menopausal support and more.

VA Medical Centers with dedicated women’s health clinics will celebrate National Women’s Health Week by hosting either an open house or outreach events. Veterans attending these events can speak with health providers about the broad range of services offered at their medical centers and hear from experts on topics such as maternity care and child safe homes. Tours of the clinics and educational materials will be available.

VA is seeking broad public participation and encourages Veteran Service Organization members to participate. News media are welcome to cover these events. TREA members to learn about events at facilities in communities around the country, visit the local VAMC website or contact the public affairs officer directly.

VA encourages women Veterans not currently using VA health care services to enroll and use the benefits they have earned. Call the Women Veteran Call Center for information at 855-VA-Women (855-829-6636) for information or visit womenshealth.va.gov.