Secretary Sebelius Releases New Report: Highlighting WISEWOMAN program

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released the second in a series of
health care success story reports that document innovative programs and
initiatives that can serve as models for a reformed American health care
system. Today's report highlights the Nebraska WISEWOMAN program.
WISEWOMAN is a community intervention program funded by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention that helps prevent heart disease and
stroke by providing screenings and counseling for low-income women. The
report CAN BE VIEWED HERE   

"WISEWOMAN is a great example of a community-based prevention program
that can help keep Americans healthy and out of the hospital," said
Secretary Sebelius. "In Nebraska alone, WISEWOMAN helped 19,000 women
live healthier lives and significantly reduced their risk of suffering a
heart attack or stroke."

The WISEWOMAN program started in 2000; there are now 21 similar programs
across the country. In Nebraska, WISEWOMAN partners with health care
providers across the state to provide low-income, under- or uninsured
women with the information they need to help prevent heart attack and
stroke. The program provides risk factor screenings to low-income women
at clinics throughout Nebraska and refers women at-risk of heart attack
or stroke to experts for additional counseling and care. 

The WISEWOMAN program as a whole has reduced the risk of heart disease,
stroke, and other chronic diseases in over 84,000 women. Nebraska
WISEWOMAN has screened over 19,000 underserved women since its inception
in 2000 and has significantly reduced the incidence of chronic disease
and death. There has been a 5.4 percent reduction in 10-year estimated
chronic heart disease risk and a 7.5 percent reduction in five-year
estimated cardiovascular disease risk. Smoking incidence has also
declined 7.1 percent since the start of the program. 

"WISEWOMAN shows us just how important and successful prevention
programs can be," added Sebelius. "We need to build on the success of
this program and ensure health reform makes prevention and wellness a
fundamental part of our health care system."