Women's Health Advocates

? What's your why? See what folks shared during our first-ever Women's Health Advocates Kickoff Call yesterday--amazing turnout thanks to our impressive Leadership Team and all of you. Why #womenshealth advocacy and why now? “My WHY is improving the lives of women in mid-life and for my daughters who will be part of the next wave of leaders!” “I'm here because I am energized by others who want to improve health outcomes for women through strategic advocacy!” “My “why” is to ensure that women, specifically Black women, have access to AND can afford treatment.” “Am here because we need to change the structures that weren’t created for/by women.” “My why.... women's health is my life and an imperative for all of our lives and our health, globally.??We all need access to quality medical care.” “There is so much to do!!” “We are trying to maintain funding for women's heart health and advance policies to help women.” “I am here representing My Density Matters so that my story doesn’t become anyone else’s story, which is a late stage diagnosis of breast cancer after an all clear mammogram.?The culprit was breast density.?We can do SO much better, we can and we must!” “My WHY is I would like to advocate for women’s health and more learnings in safety around therapeutics for women.” “My why is being a champion/advocate for Menopause at Work helping companies create support for midlife women.” “Empowering Women. Period.” "Helping people understand their health, knowing how to navigate it and how to advocate for themselves each time they seek care." "Women's health is central to our families, our communities, our nation and our world." "Systems change is only way to improve Black women's health and advocacy is only way to get systems change." "Impacting the health of women." Join the Women's Health Advocates team and make an impact: https://lnkd.in/gVF9Zqgn Join our Steering Committee and shape our strategic direction, messaging and Congressional relationships: https://lnkd.in/gkwXzyy4

We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Rep. Nita Lowey. Our condolences go out to her former staff and loved ones.? In her 32 years of service in Congress, she became the first woman to serve as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. Throughout her career, she championed human rights and women’s rights. Rep. Nita Lowey also served as a Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus and was a founding board member of the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute. WCPI will remember her commitment to our mission and her accomplishments and service. Her dedication to public service will continue to uplift and inspire the next generation of women leaders.?

"Black women in the U.S. died at a rate nearly 3.5 times higher than white women around the time of childbirth in 2023, as maternal mortality fell below?prepandemic levels?overall but racial gaps widened, according to federal health data released Wednesday. In 2021 and 2022, the maternal death rate for Black women was about 2.6 times higher than white women." The CDC report found:? — The maternal death rate for white women dropped from 19 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 to 14.5 per 100,000 in 2023.? — The rate for Black women went from 49.5 to a little above 50, though the report says that increase was not statistically significant. — The rate for Hispanic women dropped from about 17 to about 12. — The rate for Asian Americans fell from about 13 to about 11. Excessive bleeding, blood vessel blockages and infections are leading causes of maternal deaths. And gaslighting, not taking symptoms seriously and requiring additional hoops to get through in order to obtain the appropriate care throughout pregnancy as well as during delivery and soon after, esp for women of color has got to end. Plus, the data on the life-long impact of children losing their mothers is profound and well-documented. We must implement systemic change!

It's International Women's Day 2025!! This is a day to celebrate women and girls around the globe in all that we are and all that we do for our world, our communities, our places of work, our families, and yes, ourselves. It's also a day to imagine a better future, as IWD says: "A gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated." WHI has several important missions aimed at: ????♀?Raising greater awareness about issues impacting women's equality ??Taking a stance to call out inequality while working to forge positive action ????Highlighting and applauding where important gains are being made ??Celebrating women's achievements and accomplishments Use this link to see the list of IWD missions: https://lnkd.in/ek7WjZec Here are a few additional links for you to learn more and to donate if you can to this important cause: https://lnkd.in/e3kyfhUU https://lnkd.in/eSC_7F3t https://lnkd.in/e8YUMerb Happy IHD! #IWD2025?#AccelerateAction

? TODAY: Join us for our monthly Women's Health Advocates call at 12pm ET / 9am PT! Register: https://lnkd.in/ehBBDQBe Same link, same time every month, and always open to all. Join our Steering Committee at https://lnkd.in/gkwXzyy4 and participate in our 12:30pm ET / 9:30am PT call right after this open to all call and help us plan for successful Capitol Hill events on: ?? April 29 - CMS Reimbursement Discrimination and How It Impacts Women's Health ?? May 21 - Sex Matters: Learn How Sex Differences Impact Medical Research, Innovation, Health Outcomes, the Economy and More And upcoming gatherings in: ?? March 24 - NYC ?? March 28 - Boston Join the movement and become an advocate for change!

?????? Please welcome Dr. Mitzi Krockover, MD —physician, women’s health champion, femtech investor, and host of the podcast “Beyond the Paper Gown.” For women navigating the complexities of healthcare and seeking evidence-based information about their wellbeing, Krockover’s voice offers clarity, expertise, and advocacy. If you’ve ever felt confused by medical jargon, overwhelmed by healthcare decisions, or simply curious about the forces shaping women’s health today, this podcast deserves a spot in your listening queue. “Beyond the Paper Gown cuts through the noise surrounding women’s health with candid, credible conversations that look past the examination room and into the systems that impact our bodies and lives. Krockover approaches these vital topics with both clinical precision and genuine warmth, asking: How can women become better advocates for their own health? What factors beyond the doctor’s office influence our wellbeing? Episodes feature illuminating discussions with clinicians, scientists, advocates, policymakers, and innovators who are reshaping women’s healthcare. Together, they untangle the science, politics, and culture affecting women’s bodies, offering listeners practical strategies to stay healthy and make informed decisions about their care. Krockover’s path reflects her deep commitment to women’s health. As a physician trained in internal medicine, she pioneered new approaches to women’s healthcare as the Founding Medical Director of the Iris Cantor - UCLA Women's Health Education & Research Center a Center of Excellence by the Department of Health and Human Services. She later expanded her impact as Vice President of Women’s Health at Humana Inc., developing programs that improved women’s health outcomes at a population level. Today, she invests in femtech companies, mentoring entrepreneurs who are often women solving problems for other women based on their own health experiences. ??What makes “Beyond the Paper Gown” distinctive is its holistic perspective. Krockover doesn't just explain medical conditions—she examines the research gaps, policy decisions, and innovations that shape how women experience healthcare. As the Founder and CEO of Woman Centered, LLC she brings her extensive experience to each episode, creating content that's simultaneously rigorous and accessible. Her leadership extends to her board service with the Institute for Mental Health Research, the Black Women's Health Imperative and Springboard Enterprises Women's Health Innovation Council , reflecting her commitment to addressing health disparities and advancing women’s wellbeing across multiple fronts. Whether you’re seeking to understand a specific health condition, curious about emerging femtech solutions, or looking for strategies to advocate for yourself in medical settings, “Beyond the Paper Gown offers valuable insights delivered with compassion and expertise. #PodcastHers #SHEQONOMI #WomensHealth #BeyondThePaperGown

In my latest NBC News, I highlighted the new CDC data revealing a decline in maternal mortality rates, except among Black women. #MaternalHealth #CDCData #HealthDisparities #doctorbayo #Blackmaternalhealth #healthadvocate #healthliteracy

I am EXTREMELY excited to share our long-awaited research on the $reimbursement$ disparities between female and male reproductive system surgery. Read at link below and please share. https://lnkd.in/eJeEJvAX In short--female patients are literally worth less money to the US healthcare system when they need Gynecologic Surgery than when a man needs an EQUIVALENT Urologic surgery. Think a vaginal biopsy vs. a penile biopsy--the penile biopsy is always going to be worth more dollars. This has predictable, downstream effects on how well we can take care of female patients. If they are worth less money, their surgeries get postponed, cancelled, or not even allowed to happen in certain surgicenters because they are not profitable. You need an endometriosis excision that takes 4 hours and requires laparoscopy? An orthopedic surgeon can earn that same amount of money in 30 minutes. So you can see why hospitals would not want to give their surgical time, anesthesia time, and equipment away to treat Gynecologic issues. Why does this happen, you may ask? Its baked into the CMS billing codes, which has a cap for all of medicine. When this system was put forth in the 1990s with the social security act, Ob/Gyn was left behind--undervalued and given a very small portion of the total pie. Since the budget is capped, upping the value requires lowering the value of something else. Make women's health be worth more money while lowering something else? It never happened, and it never will happen unless the system is changed from within, which we are working on. Our research shows: Significantly Lower RVUs for Female-Specific Procedures: Among the procedures analyzed, RVUs were, on average, 30% higher for male procedures, with some disparities reaching as high as 142.8%. Lower Reimbursements in Facilities: In facilities, procedures on male patients often received reimbursements averaging 25.6% more than those for female patients. For example, reconstruction of the urethra was reimbursed at a maximum difference of $772.96 more for males than females. Greater Disparity in Minor Procedures: Minor procedures on female patients were particularly undervalued, with 84% of these procedures receiving significantly lower RVUs than equivalent male procedures. Differences in Urinary Tract Procedures: For urinary tract procedures, 75% of those performed on male patients received higher RVUs and reimbursement rates, averaging 49.1% higher than those for females. This means that female urethras are literally worth less than male ones. Stagnation in Reimbursement Progress: Between 2003 and 2023, there was NO statistically significant progress in closing these gaps, meaning male-specific procedures consistently received an average RVU 31-34% higher than female-specific procedures. Liz Powell Jodi Neuhauser The New York Times The Washington Post Emily Ramshaw theSkimm