DHHS NEWS RELEASE
CARSON CITY – The Nevada State Health Division’s Women’s Health Connection program was recently awarded the Public Health Program of the Year by the Nevada Public Health Association. Women’s Health Connection received the award in recognition of its significant contributions it has made to improve the public health of women in the state.
The program is significant because it can help save lives from one of the most common causes of death among women. In 2011, the dedicated collaboration of staff, community health care providers and Access to Healthcare Network screened over 8,000 women. Of those 8,000 screenings, 78 cases of breast cancer and 21 cases of cervical cancer were diagnosed.
The Women’s Health Connection at the Nevada State Health Division is continually striving toward program enhancement to deliver quality services to women in most need. Early detection saves lives, and for those diagnosed early, chance of survival is greatly enhanced.
The Women’s Health Connection Program was established 15 years ago from a grant made possible through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to provide quality early detection breast and cervical cancer screening and continues today to receive annual funding of approximately $2.4 million. Since its inception, the Women’s Health Connection has provided routine screenings and diagnostic procedures for tens of thousands of eligible women.
To be eligible to participate, a woman must be over 40 years old, not receive Medicaid or Medicare Part B, not be a member of an HMO, be underinsured or uninsured and fall within 250 percent of the federal poverty level. To find out if you’re eligible, or to receive a list of participating providers, call Access to Healthcare at 1-877-385-2345.
