CAMPAIGN TO ESTABLISH LOUISIANA OFFICE OF WOMEN'S HEALTH
Background
LCHE champions women’s health by addressing disparities through policy advocacy and community engagement. Organized in 2020, the Campaign to Establish the Louisiana Office of Women’s Health is LCHE’s most prominent women’s health initiative– an effort designed to concentrate resources and policy efforts toward improving health outcomes and eliminating disparities unique to women, especially pertaining to maternal health.
Through the Campaign to Establish the Louisiana Office of Women’s Health, LCHE’s efforts in spearheading the campaign along with collaborating with various organizations, LCHE’s activism led to the creation of the first Louisiana Office of Women’s Health. The Office of Women’s Health and Community Health (OWHCH) was established under a bill passed by the Louisiana Legislature on June 18, 2022. The office exists to improve women’s health outcomes and acts as a coordinating agency and resource center for women’s health data and strategies. The office’s capacities for carrying out these charges remain limited by funding challenges and budget restraints, as well as limiting language contained in the legislation. For more information on LCHE’s concerns about funding for the office and language contained in the enacted legislation that limits support only to certain women in Louisiana, click here.​​
The newly established Office of Women’s Health and Community Health (OWHCH) is a noteworthy step forward towards addressing women’s health needs. Significant work remains to make the office a catalyst for addressing intersecting injustices and improving women’s health outcomes in Louisiana. Performance goals must be clearly defined so that the office has a roadmap to follow in improving women’s health. The office’s work should also involve meaningful community engagement and collaboration so that those most impacted by gender disparities have a voice in how those disparities are addressed. The Campaign to Establish the Louisiana Office of Women’s Health remains committed to championing, celebrating, and collaborating to successfully pursue pathways to equity in women’s health initiatives.
On October 16th, advocates gathered at the LSU Women’s Center for the Office of Women's Health Celebration in recognition of the establishment of a new office. During the celebration, advocates for women’s health engaged in a panel discussion on “where we go from here” now that the Office on Women’s Health was being created. More specifically, the panel emphasized the importance of community and civic engagement and holding policymakers accountable for fulfilling the purpose of the Office and ensuring that health outcomes of Louisiana women improve.
This event brought many advocates and supporters together to honor and reflect on the journey for equitable health. While recognizing that the establishment of this office is indeed a monumental milestone in the journey to improving Louisiana women’s health outcomes, advocates emphasized that it does not end there.
The Office on Women's Health Celebration hosts were the Louisiana Center for Health Equity, League of Women Voters of Louisiana, American Association of University Women, National Congress of Black Women, The Preemie Mom Coach and 10,000 Women. This celebration has been made possible through our proud sponsor, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan (UHC). UHC has been on this journey with us from the very beginning.
Check out our video honoring the journey to establishing the Louisiana Office on Women’s Health and highlights of the celebration of the Office on Women’s Health here.
Louisiana Women's Health Day 2024
The Louisiana Center for Health Equity (LCHE), along with our Campaign to Establish the Louisiana Office on Women’s Health planning team partners, hosted the Women’s Health Day & Retreat 2024 on Thursday, May 16th. Women from across the state gathered to celebrate women, wellness, and culture at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. Attendees had opportunities to visit vendors, meet legislators, and network. The event included activities and resource tables in the Capitol Rotunda, lunch, a seminar at LDH, and advocacy activities to raise awareness about women's health.
As Women's History Month draws to a close, individuals across the political spectrum unite in celebrating the remarkable contributions and achievements of women throughout history. This annual observance serves as a poignant reminder of the pivotal role women have played in shaping our society, advancing progress, and championing equality. Despite significant strides, women still face systemic barriers and entrenched biases that hinder their full participation and recognition. This month serves as a call to action to address these challenges and strive for a future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and fulfill her potential.
2024 Women's Equality Day Webinar
Whole Woman: Healthy Minds, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Communities
The 2024 Women’s Equality Day Webinar 'Healthy Women, Healthy Families and Healthy Communities' was held on Monday, August 26, 2024. Advocates for women and women's health joined together for an evening of informative presentations and discussion regarding the outlook on women’s health in Louisiana. This exciting program was a sequel to the panel presentation given at LCHE’s Women’s Health Day last May. A virtual event, this webinar was held to promote awareness about women’s health, empower and energize women, and move Louisiana toward the improvement of maternal health
outcomes by advancing education and advocating for much needed policy change. The event also celebrated the 104th anniversary of women’s suffrage, which is commemorated annually on August 26th. Suffrage colors are purple, gold and white. Attendees dressed beautifully in these bright hues to show their support for the continuing fight for full gender equality across our state and country in recognition of this historical day!