The Iowa Care for Yourself WISEWOMAN Program is helping women around the state receive important health screenings and improve their cardiovascular risk factors.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funds the Iowa Department of Public Health to provide women 40-64 years of age, who are uninsured or underinsured, the opportunity to learn their risk factors for heart disease and stroke and participate in lifestyle programs to reduce those risks. WISEWOMAN partners with the CDC-funded Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to also provide mammograms, Pap tests and other breast and cervical cancer testing for the participants.

“The WISEWOMAN Program is a great resource for Iowa women. The program provides lifesaving cardiovascular screenings and intervention services to women who may not normally be able to afford such services,” says Sonya Loynachan, Iowa WISEWOMAN Program Manager at the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Last year, the WISEWOMAN program screened 632 women for cardiovascular risk factors, such as high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure.  Thirty-seven new diagnoses of hypertension, 40 previously diagnosed, yet uncontrolled cases of hypertension and 4 new diagnoses of diabetes were detected. Seventy-nine participants had high cholesterol, 74 smoked, and 527 were either overweight or obese based on a BMI ≥ 25.

“By identifying these risk factors, women have the opportunity to set goals and make changes in their lives that improve their health and reduce their risks for heart attack or stroke,” states Lori Byrd, the program’s Intervention and Community Resources Coordinator.

Katherine is one such participant who has been able to make significant healthy lifestyle changes.  She participates in health coaching sessions to assist her in setting health goals and the strategies to achieve them.  She also attends Weight Watchers® meetings, which are available to WISEWOMAN participants. Over the last two years in WISEWOMAN, she has changed her diet, increased her activity level, and lost 54 pounds. Katherine states “This program has helped me a lot and has given me confidence. Thank You!”

Regional care coordinators in ten areas of the state enroll participants in the program, provide health coaching and make referrals to healthy lifestyle programs, such as Weight Watchers®.  In addition, participants with high blood pressure may participate in a home blood pressure monitoring program or a medication therapy management program to assist them in getting their blood pressures under control.

The University of Iowa Center for Public Health Statistics (CPHS) in the College of Public Health partners with IDPH by managing the program data for both the WISEWOMAN and the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programs. The CPHS developed and maintains an integrated web-based data collection and reporting system for both programs.  They monitor data and program information, assist in quality improvement, as well as prepare various data analyses and progress reports.  The CPHS validates data for accuracy and submits data to the CDC bi-annually. Dr. Jacob Oleson, Director of CPHS, says, “We are pleased to partner with the Iowa Department of Public Health in these endeavors that provide such outstanding services to improve the lives of women around the state.”