National Women’s Health Week offers chance for checkups

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By Jane Looney

Special to The SUN

This is  National Women’s Health Week.

A nationwide effort, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health  encourages women to call and visit health care professionals to schedule and receive checkups; and promotes regular checkups as vital to the early detection of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health illnesses, sexually transmitted infections and other conditions.

Regular checkups provide a number of benefits to women,” said Kristi Stump, RN, San Juan Basin Health Clinic services manager. “Screenings and routine care can help women lower their risks of many health conditions and can help catch problems early so they can be treated more effectively.” There are 22 preventative screenings for women without copays now thanks to the Affordable Care Act.  “We strongly encourage women to join others nationally in taking the pledge to schedule a checkup during the month of May.”

San Juan Basin Health Department offers women’s services such as annual exams, STI/STD testing and treatment, birth control and immunizations. Free breast exams, pelvic exams and Pap tests (and referral for free mammograms), are available to qualifying women through Women’s Wellness Connection.  For more information or to make an appointment, 264-2409.

Celebrate National Women’s Checkup Day by scheduling a checkup with your healthcare provider and discussing which screenings and tests are right for you and how often you should have them.  For more information about screenings and immunizations you may need, a list of 22 preventative services covered by Affordable Care Act, or San Juan Basin Health services, visit sjbhd.org/reproductive-health.