Empowering Women: A Guide to Women’s Health & Wellness

By David Wise

By Philmar Mendoza Kabua, BSN

Women’s health is about more than reproductive care — it’s a commitment to improving one’s overall health at every stage of life. From puberty and pregnancy to menopause and healthy aging, each stage brings new health needs and presents an opportunity to reflect and take charge of one’s health and well-being.

Preventive Care

Preventive care is one of the most powerful tools for staying healthy at any stage of life. Regular check-ups, screenings and vaccinations can find health issues early, when they are easier to treat and manage. Here are some important steps to take:

Getting vaccinated for HPV can start as early as age nine for both boys and girls to prevent certain types of cancers.

Cervical cancer screening, including Pap smears and HPV testing, should start around age 21.

Mammograms are recommended starting at age 40 to detect breast cancer early.

Regularly checking blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar can help prevent chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease.

Routine vaccinations, including flu, COVID-19, RSV and measles, can prevent serious illness and protect others.

Reproductive Health

Reproductive health is central to women’s health care needs. Access to contraception, prenatal and postpartum care, and reproductive health education helps women make empowered choices to support a healthy lifestyle. Sexual health education also promotes safe practices to help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI). Here are some key services for reproductive health:

Routine STI testing for sexually active people.

Family planning conversations to explore goals for pregnancy and decide if or when the time is right.

Education for building healthy relationships to support positive mental health outcomes.

Healthy Habits

Creating healthy habits is key to supporting women’s health. Here are some tips for a healthy lifestyle:

Eat a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins to reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Stay active to reduce stress, manage weight and support heart health.

Avoid smoking and limit alcohol use, as both can increase the risk for serious health problems.

Prioritize sleep by getting at least seven hours every night.

Prioritize mental health by staying connected with loved ones, doing enjoyable things or by talking to a therapist or counselor.

The UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation offers several programs across Arkansas to support women’s health, including CenteringPregnancy, Healthy Start and Mobile Reproductive Health.

CenteringPregnancy is a group prenatal care program where pregnant women can share concerns, experiences and advice. It also connects pregnant women with a health care provider.

Healthy Start promotes positive birth outcomes and improves the health and well-being of both mothers and babies by providing tailored prenatal and health services. Clients are assigned a Community Health Worker to guide them through pregnancy and afterwards, offering clinical navigation, education and one-on-one case management services.

Mobile Reproductive Health involves UAMS Mobile Health Units traveling across Arkansas to bring essential women’s health, reproductive, and prenatal care services directly to communities.

Philmar Mendoza Kabua is a nurse educator at the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation, with more than 15 years of working in clinical and public health settings. For more information about the UAMS Institute for Community Health Innovation, visit communityhealth.uams.edu.