National Women's Health Network
Encyclopedia
The National Women's Health Network (NWHN) is a non-profit women's health
advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C.
. It was founded in 1975 by Barbara Seaman
, Alice Wolfson
, Belita Cowan, Mary Howell
, M.D., and Phyllis Chesler
, Ph.D. The stated mission of the organization is to give women a greater voice within the healthcare system. NWHN is financially supported by 8,000 members, and does not accept contributions from the tobacco and medical industries. The NWHN researches and lobbies federal agencies on such issues as AIDS
, reproductive rights, breast cancer
, older women’s health, and new contraceptive technologies. The Women's Health Voice, the NWHN's health information program, provides independent research on a variety of women's health topics. Access to their services, as well as various fact sheets, position papers, outside resources, and their newsletters can be found on their official site
, Alice Wolfson
, Belita Cowan, Mary Howell
, M.D., and Phyllis Chesler
, Ph.D. as a lobby group for women's health advocacy. It quickly expanded to become a clearinghouse for women's health information as well, and continues to provide women with objective health information from a feminist viewpoint. http://www.nwhn.org/about/index.cfm?content_id=30§ion=About
In its first year, the NWHN organized the first ever protest against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 1975, organizers opposed to the FDA approval and lack of oversight of synthetic estrogen
s such as DES and high-dose estrogens in combined oral contraceptive pills carried signs reading "Feed Estrogen to the Rats at the FDA" and "Women's Health, Not Drug Company Wealth." After the protests and the Nelson Pill Hearings
, Patient Packaging Inserts (PPIs) listing side effects were instated for oral contraceptives—the first PPIs in U.S. history. http://www.womenshealthnetwork.org/about/first_fda.php
, endometriosis
, cervical cancer
, fibroids, menopause
and hormonal therapy, mammograms, abortion
, and hysterectomy
. Every publication is from an objective, feminist perspective without endorsing any specific treatment plan or method.http://nwhn.org/healthinfo/index.cfm?section=health
, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, PharmedOut
, and SisterLove, Inc.
Content consists of independently researched articles on current events, health policy, awareness campaigns, informational topics, and medical updates. Articles in the Voice have spoken out against many government actions including the FDA’s re-approval of silicone gel breast implants.http://nwhn.org/newsletter/article1.cfm?newsletterarticles_id=177 The newsletter also includes a Young Feminist section, written by current interns or other young professionals in the health activist field. http://nwhn.org/newsletter/index.cfm?section=newsletter&year=2008
Women's health
Women's health refers to health issues specific to human female anatomy. These often relate to structures such as female genitalia and breasts or to conditions caused by hormones specific to, or most notable in, females. Women's health issues include menstruation, contraception, maternal health,...
advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
. It was founded in 1975 by Barbara Seaman
Barbara Seaman
Barbara Seaman was an American author, activist, and journalist, and a principal founder of the women's health feminism movement.-Early years:Seaman, whose parents, Henry J...
, Alice Wolfson
Alice Wolfson
Alice Wolfson, a Barnard graduate and former Fulbright Scholar, is a veteran political activist in women's reproductive health issues, a lawyer, and a co-founder of the National Women's Health Network....
, Belita Cowan, Mary Howell
Mary Howell
Mary Catherine Raugust Howell was a physician, psychologist, lawyer, mentor, musician and mother. She was the first woman dean at Harvard Medical School and led the fight to end quotas and open medical schools to women.-Biography:Dr. Howell was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota...
, M.D., and Phyllis Chesler
Phyllis Chesler
Phyllis Chesler is an American writer, psychotherapist, and professor emerita of psychology and women's studies at the College of Staten Island...
, Ph.D. The stated mission of the organization is to give women a greater voice within the healthcare system. NWHN is financially supported by 8,000 members, and does not accept contributions from the tobacco and medical industries. The NWHN researches and lobbies federal agencies on such issues as AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
, reproductive rights, breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
, older women’s health, and new contraceptive technologies. The Women's Health Voice, the NWHN's health information program, provides independent research on a variety of women's health topics. Access to their services, as well as various fact sheets, position papers, outside resources, and their newsletters can be found on their official site
History
The NWHN was founded in 1975 by Barbara SeamanBarbara Seaman
Barbara Seaman was an American author, activist, and journalist, and a principal founder of the women's health feminism movement.-Early years:Seaman, whose parents, Henry J...
, Alice Wolfson
Alice Wolfson
Alice Wolfson, a Barnard graduate and former Fulbright Scholar, is a veteran political activist in women's reproductive health issues, a lawyer, and a co-founder of the National Women's Health Network....
, Belita Cowan, Mary Howell
Mary Howell
Mary Catherine Raugust Howell was a physician, psychologist, lawyer, mentor, musician and mother. She was the first woman dean at Harvard Medical School and led the fight to end quotas and open medical schools to women.-Biography:Dr. Howell was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota...
, M.D., and Phyllis Chesler
Phyllis Chesler
Phyllis Chesler is an American writer, psychotherapist, and professor emerita of psychology and women's studies at the College of Staten Island...
, Ph.D. as a lobby group for women's health advocacy. It quickly expanded to become a clearinghouse for women's health information as well, and continues to provide women with objective health information from a feminist viewpoint. http://www.nwhn.org/about/index.cfm?content_id=30§ion=About
In its first year, the NWHN organized the first ever protest against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 1975, organizers opposed to the FDA approval and lack of oversight of synthetic estrogen
Estrogen
Estrogens , oestrogens , or œstrogens, are a group of compounds named for their importance in the estrous cycle of humans and other animals. They are the primary female sex hormones. Natural estrogens are steroid hormones, while some synthetic ones are non-steroidal...
s such as DES and high-dose estrogens in combined oral contraceptive pills carried signs reading "Feed Estrogen to the Rats at the FDA" and "Women's Health, Not Drug Company Wealth." After the protests and the Nelson Pill Hearings
Nelson Pill Hearings
In 1970, Barbara Seaman brought the dangers of combined oral contraceptive pill use to the attention of Senator Gaylord Nelson with her book The Doctors Case Against the Pill...
, Patient Packaging Inserts (PPIs) listing side effects were instated for oral contraceptives—the first PPIs in U.S. history. http://www.womenshealthnetwork.org/about/first_fda.php
The present
- The NWHN petitioned the FDA in August, 2006 to cease sales of estrogen testosteroneTestosteroneTestosterone is a steroid hormone from the androgen group and is found in mammals, reptiles, birds, and other vertebrates. In mammals, testosterone is primarily secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of females, although small amounts are also secreted by the adrenal glands...
combination treatments.
- The NWHN Board of Directors includes Susan F. Wood, who served as Assistant Commissioner for Women’s Health and Director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Women's Health (OWH) from November 2000 through August 2005, when she resigned on principle due to the continued delay of approval of the emergency contraceptive, Plan B. http://www.nwhn.org/about/index.cfm?content_id=70§ion=About
Values
- There is worth in women’s personal accounts of their experiences, and health policy should echo women’s diverse experiences.
- The normal changes that women experience over their lifetimes should not be over treated.
- Every woman should have access to quality healthcare.
- Information given to women to direct their health decisions should be motivated by evidence rather than profit.
- Government has the responsibility to provide for the health and welfare of all people.
- Scientific analysis that takes into account systems of oppression and power is valuable to all.
Raising Women's Voices
The National Women’s Health Network helped found Raising Women’s Voices, a national initiative that advocates affordable healthcare for everyone. Raising Women’s Voices wants to ensure the national discourse on healthcare reform takes the needs of women into account. Other founding members include Mergerwatch and the Avery Institute for Social Change. Raising Women’s Voices includes a list of 26 principles including:- High quality health care for all.
- Ensure provision of the full range of reproductive and women’s health services. Such services should include, but are not limited to, maternity care, pre- and post-natal care, contraception, abortion, treatment and prevention of sexually transmitted infections, and fertility treatment;
- Include comprehensive dental care for both children and adults.
- Actively address and work to eliminate racial, ethnic, gender and class disparities in health care access, as well as disparities due to immigration status, disabilities and sexual or gender identity. http://www.raisingwomensvoices.net/index.html
Fact sheets and position papers
The NWHN publishes independently researched fact sheets and position papers on a variety of women’s health topics including breast cancerBreast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
, endometriosis
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovaries. The uterine cavity is lined by endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones...
, cervical cancer
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is malignant neoplasm of the cervix uteri or cervical area. One of the most common symptoms is abnormal vaginal bleeding, but in some cases there may be no obvious symptoms until the cancer is in its advanced stages...
, fibroids, menopause
Menopause
Menopause is a term used to describe the permanent cessation of the primary functions of the human ovaries: the ripening and release of ova and the release of hormones that cause both the creation of the uterine lining and the subsequent shedding of the uterine lining...
and hormonal therapy, mammograms, abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
, and hysterectomy
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus, usually performed by a gynecologist. Hysterectomy may be total or partial...
. Every publication is from an objective, feminist perspective without endorsing any specific treatment plan or method.http://nwhn.org/healthinfo/index.cfm?section=health
The Women's Health Voice
The National Women's Health Network publishes a bimonthly newsletter, the Women’s Health Voice. The Voice has been in circulation since 1976, but was known as the Network News up until 2001. The Voice includes articles by NWHN board members, staff members, and contributors from diverse organizations and institutions. Recent contributors have included the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, Georgetown UniversityGeorgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, PharmedOut
PharmedOut
PharmedOut is a Georgetown University Medical Center project founded in 2006. It is directed by Dr. Adriane Fugh-Berman. The stated mission of the organization is to empower prescribers and other healthcare professionals to identify and counter inappropriate pharmaceutical promotion practices...
, and SisterLove, Inc.
Content consists of independently researched articles on current events, health policy, awareness campaigns, informational topics, and medical updates. Articles in the Voice have spoken out against many government actions including the FDA’s re-approval of silicone gel breast implants.http://nwhn.org/newsletter/article1.cfm?newsletterarticles_id=177 The newsletter also includes a Young Feminist section, written by current interns or other young professionals in the health activist field. http://nwhn.org/newsletter/index.cfm?section=newsletter&year=2008