Posted: 5/3/2023
May is Women’s Health Month
Parkland Health is encouraging women to give themselves permission to pause and put their health first. A recent survey commissioned by the Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention (AWHP) found that nearly half of American women skip preventive care services like check-ups, cancer screenings and vaccinations, often due to time constraints. The report also found that social and environmental factors often contribute to disparities in preventive care.
Cross-culturally, women tend to be the primary providers of care for family members with chronic medical conditions or disabilities, including the elderly. This responsibility, on top of childcare and work responsibilities, can often lead to women putting themselves last when it comes to their own primary and preventive care, resulting in late detection of chronic illnesses.
Parkland providers want to encourage women to take proactive steps to improve their health by holding a community event designed specifically for women.
“Making your health a priority is not selfish, it’s an act of love and the foundation of a good life,” said Marjorie Quint-Bouzid, DPA, RN, NEA, BC, Senior Vice President of Women & Infants’ Specialty Health at Parkland.
Parkland will host its first Permission to Pause Women’s Health Event on Saturday, May 6. The collaboration with Dramatic Results Salon & Day Spa aims to create a comfortable space for women to simply put themselves first. Health resources, live music, food, spa amenities and more will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 111 S. Cedar Ridge Dr., Duncanville, 75116.
Parkland services that will be offered at no cost include:
- Blood pressure screening
- Blood sugar screening
- Women’s health education
- Behavioral health education
- Tips for healthy eating
- Breast health education and assistance with scheduling future mammogram appointments
- Parkland Financial Assistance
“Too often, Black women put their own health at the bottom of their ‘to-do list.’ If at least one woman leaves this event feeling lighter and more supported with the proper resources and education to start prioritizing her health, we have accomplished our goal,” said Angela Morris, Senior Director of Community Relations at Parkland. “Permission to pause means giving yourself grace and relieving yourself of everyday responsibilities in order to go inward and listen to your own body.”
For more information on services at Parkland, please visit parklandhealth.org