Division of Women's Health

The Division of Women's Health goal is to improve the health and well being of Kentucky's women. Created by the 1998 General Assembly, the office is authorized and required to:

• Be a reliable source of data and information on women's health
• Recommend measures of women's health and well being for study and reporting; and
• Administer a Women's Health Resource Center focusing on preventive and comprehensive health education.

Above all, we are here to help you make healthier, more informed decisions. If you have a specific question or need help finding a specific health resource, please contact our office at (502) 564-2154.

These are some of the Women's health programs administered by the Division of Women's Health and provided through Kentucky's local health departments:

Abstinence education
Adolescent health and positive youth development
Breast and cervical cancer screening
Family planning and reproductive health
Folic acid supplementation
Preconception care

Please call (502) 564-2154 to learn more about these services.

The Kentucky Breast Cancer Awareness license plate is now available from your county clerk.

Displaying the Breast Cancer Awareness license plate is a wonderful way to pay tribute to the many Kentuckians and others affected by this terrible disease and to raise awareness of the importance of regular screening and early detection.

The cost of the plate is $25 plus an additional $3 county clerk's fee due when the plate is picked up. You may also make an additional, tax-deductible donation to support breast cancer research, screening, treatment, education and awareness efforts in our state.

Legislation passed in 2005 established the Breast Cancer Research and Education Trust Fund as a means to further enhance Kentucky's efforts to reduce the incidence and mortality rate of breast cancer in our state.

Kentuckians can support the work of the trust fund by using a special checkoff option to contribute all or a portion of their Kentucky state income tax returns. Tax refund contributions to the trust fund will be used to advance promising Kentucky programs promoting breast cancer research, education, treatment, screening and awareness.

For more information click FY 09 Breast Cancer Trust Fund grant application

Why do we need an office of women's health?

1. Women spend more money for health care than men and more often influence spending decisions than men. Women spend about 62 percent more in out-of-pocket expenses for health care than men and make more than 75 percent of household spending decisions (Sources: National Conference of State Legislatures 8/22/00 and Women's Health Resource Guide, Eli Lilly and Co., Aug 1998).
2. Women utilize the health care system more than men, accounting for nearly 58 percent of Medicare enrollment nationwide, 62 percent of Medicaid enrollment nationwide, and accounting for 61 percent of all doctor visits (Source: Women’s Health Resource Guide, Eli Lilly and Co. Aug 1998).
3. Women suffer from certain diseases more often than men.
4. Women and men respond differently to medical treatment and exhibit different physiological and mental symptoms of the same disease.

The Kentucky Women's Health Registry is designed to enhance state efforts to track health trends across generations of Kentucky women. The registry will provide a better understanding of the impact of geographic, cultural, socioeconomic and other factors on the health of women in the commonwealth.

Research has shown that women and men respond differently to some medical treatments, present with different symptoms for the same diseases and generally experience health issues in different ways. Women also encounter stressors and other health influences that may affect their health differently than men.

According to Leslie J. Crofford, M.D., director of the UK Center for the Advancement of Women's Health, one of the objectives of the registry is to generate long-term health research data to improve the design and delivery of treatment and prevention options based on Kentucky women's needs. The registry may also help increase women's participation in UK medical research.

Registry participants receive health information and periodic status reports. Clinical trials offered through the registry program offer women access to new drugs and alternative therapies, specialty physicians, support systems and, in some cases, monetary compensation.

All personal information is safeguarded and confidential. Medical researchers must meet rigorous approval and screening criteria to qualify for access to registry information.

Participation in both the registry and associated clinical trials is voluntary.

You may also request a mail-in survey by calling (859) 323-5709 or toll-free (800) 929-2320.