Women's Health Promotion Unit
- A new initiative in women's health care...
- Due to lack of faculty liaison and time constraints, no longer endorsed by the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
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of the
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Ask WHPU
A new initiative to women's health care had been established--but its clinical activities have ceased--in the
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the
Stanford University Medical
Center.
Women in this country continue to face serious threats to their
physical and mental well-being. Despite living, on average, 7 years
longer than men, women suffer poorer health outcomes and greater
disability from disease than do men.
-Department of Health and Human Services
Office on Women's Health
For four years, the Women's Health Promotion Unit (WHPU) has worked
to improve the ways that women care for your physical and emotional
well-being. We served the needs of women through better
self-care, education, and support.
Health
The WHPU took a personal, holistic approach to each woman's health care. Confidential counseling to individually address concerns
and helping to develop skills in self-care were our primary activities.
Education
To help improve the ways women cared for
themselves, the WHPU developed health educational workshops based on
common interests, enabling access to many community resources.
Support
The WHPU provided a support system for women in need of services
beyond those usually available in the medical setting. Support groups
and buddy programs allowed the sharing of questions and experiences
with other women.
GOALS
The WHPU's goals included the prevention of illness and the reduction
of risks posed by lifestyles and the environment. We helped women:
- develop confidence and personal skills in caring for their health.
- take an active role in communicating and in making decisions with
their health care providers.
- better understand their health concerns.
SERVICES (available via the Web)
- Relationship and Emotional Support
- Difficult relationships
- Isolation and lack of social support
- Anger and stress management
- Gynecological Health
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Pelvic pain
- Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Pregnancy and Prenatal Issues
- Prenatal care education
- Substance abuse during pregnancy
- Contraception
- Midlife Health Concerns
- Menopause
- Chronic illness
- Aging
- Midlife pregnancy
- Medical Consumerism
- Finding and using health resources
- Communicating with health care providers
- Other Health Issues
- Nutrition and exercise
- Trauma support
- Parenting and postnatal counseling
- Eating disorders
ENROLLMENT
The WHPU served all interested women.
STAFF
The WHPU was staffed by licensed volunteers appointed as Health
Promotion Specialists in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
The remaining staff consists of a Professor Emeritus of Gynecology and Obstetrics, and a medical student/computer scientist who provides webmaster functions.
FEES
Fees were based on ability to pay, ranging from $1 to $10 for each
consultation. No fees are charged for net-based responses to inquiries.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The WHPU thanks the following organizations for their
past support:
- Associated Students of Stanford University
- The Health Library
- Planned Parenthood
- Stanford Health Services
- Stanford University Women's Center
OTHER WOMEN'S HEALTH RESOURCES
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since Aug 26, 1996.
Last modified: Tue Jan 12 12:51:59 PST 1999
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