Happy Women’s History Month! Did you know that in 1987, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9, which designated March as Women’s History Month? It is a time when we unite to pay tribute to women worldwide and celebrate their incredible impact on the healthcare industry. For March, AFPSA is highlighting women in the industry who served as advocates, trailblazers, and inspirations for future generations in healthcare.
Women have been innovators in the healthcare industry since the 19th century. In 1849, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman in the United States to receive a MD degree. Her journey in the healthcare field began after a friend mentioned that she felt as though she would have received better care under a female doctor. That feeling is something that a lot of women might experience at some point in their life
The Washington Post highlighted a 2021 study that indicates a compelling trend involving more than 1.3 million patients which revealed that women were 32 percent less likely to die if they were treated by female surgeons. That same study also found that men were less likely to die if they were treated by a female surgeon. That is not to say that women are better equipped to treat patients in healthcare, it just happens to shed light on the essential role of gender diversity in providing effective health care.
Without Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing, the death rates during the Crimean War would have not been significantly reduced. She helped improve the quality of hospital care and sanitary conditions. She also established the St Thomas’ Hospital, a teaching hospital in London.
As a provider of health insurance, we recognize the importance to women of access to essential healthcare services including infertility treatments, mental health services, and wellness benefits. Mary E. Switzer, a trailblazer in healthcare insurance and disability rights in the United States, worked to improve access to healthcare insurance and advocated for individual rights. We can also thank Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler who fought for improved healthcare access and reforms. Additionally, she promoted health equity in underserved communities.
Today, women continue to make remarkable strides in healthcare. We have women like Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha who fights to improve the water crisis in Flint Michigan and Dr. Catherine Racowsky, whose made significant contributions to the advancement of assisted reproductive tech and infertility treatments.
We understand the importance of effective health care services. Whether you are trying to start a family, screened for cancer or need access to mental health support Foreign Service Benefit Plan is designed to ensure that you have access to the care that you need. AFSPA is here to help!
Happy Women’s History Month!
