Report card highlights need to improve women’s health, eliminate racial disparities. Oregon is ranked #26 in the country and received a final grade of C in the 2014 Women’s Health Report Card released today by Oregon Action and The Main Street Alliance of Oregon.
The report card provides an important measure of the state’s record on women’s health as politicians court women voters ahead of the November elections and continue to debate how to combat persistent racial disparities in health.
“All women deserve access to quality, affordable health care and family planning services,” Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, said after reading an advanced copy of the report. “Cancer screenings, immunizations, and reproductive care can help prevent more serious health problems that, if left untreated, will ultimately lead to higher health care costs. No one should go without seeing a doctor or health care provider because of inability to pay. Although the report shows progress, we still have work to do until all Oregonians and Americans – women, men and children – can access the care they need. Better access will lead to a healthier population, which will strengthen our communities and our economy.”
The 2014 Women’s Health Report Card for Oregon is available here: www.bit.ly/HealthReportCard
“This report card shows Oregon has an average record on women’s health. Though this is better than a failing grade, it’s not nearly good enough for women and the families that depend on them, and especially for women of color,” said Darlene Huntress, Executive Director of Oregon Action. “These grades should serve as an urgent call to action for Oregon leaders. It’s time to get past political gridlock and take concerted action to improve women’s health. Legislators must take steps that invest in community-based outreach and health coverage enrollment strategies targeted toward low-income women and communities of color.”
Oregon’s final rank and grade focus on three areas: health coverage for women, women’s access to health care, and women’s health outcomes. On coverage, Oregon ranked 24th in the country, a grade of C. On access to health care, Oregon ranked 30th, a grade of C-. And on health outcomes, Oregon ranked 25th, a grade of C.
“Oregon has an opportunity to improve its overall record on women’s health, catch up with other states that are performing better, and be a leader on eliminating race-based disparities,” said Stephen Michael, State Director of The Main Street Alliance of Oregon. “But if state lawmakers drag their feet, we’re only going to fall further behind other states. Women who are denied health care, and the families who depend on them, will pay the price.”
Looking at women’s health by race, the report card finds Oregon is doing an even worse job meeting the needs of women of color, who are uninsured at higher rates and also face worse health outcomes than women overall, adding urgency to the debate over eliminating racial disparities.
“Politicians must put aside partisan bickering, advocate for women, and take action to improve women’s health by moving forward with a proactive health equity agenda,” said LeeAnn Hall, executive director of theAlliance for a Just Society, which produced the report card. “Our families, our communities, and our economy depend on women – women must be able to depend on Oregon to deliver on the promise of quality, affordable health care.”
The 2014 Women’s Health Report Card uses the latest available data from government sources to rank Oregon among the 50 states on 30 measures (and more than 50 individual data points) relating to women’s health issues. It generates state rankings and grades, analyzes race-based disparities, and includes specific recommendations for state action to improve women’s health.
Darlene Huntress
Executive Director, Oregon Action
(503) 983-3258
Stephen Michael
State Director, Main Street Alliance of Oregon
(503) 610-6726
Kathy Mulady
Communications Director, Alliance for a Just Society
(206) 568-5400
