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Region VII

Region VII consists of:

• Iowa
• Kansas
• Missouri
• Nebraska

Region VII overview

Region VII is comprised of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. With the exception of Missouri, most of the states in this region have relatively low populations when compared with other regions of the country. The female population is mostly white, and all of the states have 10 percent or less of their female population comprised of women of color. Some key women's health issues in Region VII are: access to care, cardiovascular disease, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, mental health services, substance abuse services, breast cancer, health education needs, and language and culture as barriers to services. T here is a Center of Excellence in Women's Health at the University of Missouri — Kansas City Medical School, in Kansas City, MO. and 2 Community Centers of Excellence, Greeley Health Services in Tribune, Kansas and Northeast Missouri Health Council, Inc. in Kirksville, Missouri.

For more detailed statistics on the health status of women in Region VII, visit: http://www.womenshealth.gov/quickhealthdata.

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State of Iowa

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has an Office on Women's Health. The current part-time IDPH women's health coordinator is Janet L. Peterson, RN, MHA. A document summarizing women's health programs, "IDPH Women's Health-Related Programs Summary", can be viewed at the IDPH website under the Publications section at www.idph.state.ia.us/resources.asp. Additionally, IDPH and Iowa State University Extension co-developed a unique website dedicated to resources for women's health and other family health topics. A HHS women's health grant was instrumental in funding this site. The website is www.womenshealthiowa.info. This site provides a wide range of topics including reproductive health, parenting, mental health, A to Z topics, live interactive help and more.

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State of Kansas

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) does not have an official Office on Women's Health; however there is a women's health coordinator. The current coordinator is Janet Neff, the director of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program. The state sponsors several women's health programs including: the Early Detection Works program and the breast and cervical cancer early detection screening program. This program emphasizes the importance of breast self exams, mammograms and clinical breast exams. The disability program focuses on preventing secondary conditions and promoting the health of people with disabilities. Five priorities have been identified. One of the 5 is violence and abuse of people with disabilities, primarily women. During 2002-2004, KDHE collaborated with the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV) and the Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living (KACIL) to bring awareness, education, and technical assistance to communities throughout Kansas regarding violence against people with disabilities and the resources available to address this issue. For more details on this state's women's health activities go to www.KDHEKS.gov and www.preventionworkskansas.com

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State of Missouri

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has an official Office on Women's Health and a full-time dedicated women's health coordinator. The current coordinator is Tuck VanDyne; she serves as the chief. The state has several women's health projects within the Show Me Healthy Women program, including the WISEWOMEN and Breast and Cervical Control Project. These programs address breast and cervical as well as cardiovascular disease and prevention, particularly among low-income women. Missouri developed a state strategic plan to prevent violence against women. The Missouri Women's Health Council developed a Denim Day toolkit to spread awareness of a new national branding campaign to step forward and take a stand against rape.The Office on Women's Health and the Missouri Women's Health Council developed Setting a New Direction, A Strategic Framework for Missouri Women which was rolled out at community based event and widely distributed in the states. It identifies priorities needs of Missouri's women and makes action recommendations. For more details on this state's women's health activities, visit www.dhss.mo.gov/WomensHealth.

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State of Nebraska

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has an official Office on Women's Health and a full-time dedicated women's health coordinator. The current coordinator is Kathy Ward, who serves as the Administrator for the Office of Women's Health. The state has several women's health programs including: Every Woman Matters and the WISEWOMAN program. Every Women Matters focuses on breast and cervical cancer and the importance of early detection through screening. WISEWOMAN focuses on cardiovascular disease and the importance of early detection of heart disease and breast cervical cancer, particularly among low-income women. The Colorectal Screening Program will be integrated into Everywoman Matters. It focuses on prevention and early detection of colon cancer. For more details on this state's women's health activities, visit www.hhss.ne.gov/hew/OWH.

Content last updated January 1, 2008.

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