Celebrating Women's Health Month: why it matters

What is Women’s Health Month?

Each year, May is dedicated to Women’s Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the health challenges women face and to promote overall well-being. Dr. Stacee Goedtel Birr, Prevea family medicine physician, knows the importance of prioritizing women’s health and empowering individuals to take charge of their own well-being. “From ensuring that you have a primary care provider to selfcare and mental wellness, Women’s Health Month shines a spotlight on the various aspects of health that impact women worldwide.”
 

Education and prevention

One of the primary goals of Women’s Health Month is to educate women about preventive care and screenings. Regular check-ups and screenings can detect potential health issues early, making treatment more effective and improving outcomes. Whether it’s cervical cancer screenings, mammograms or routine blood tests, these preventive measures are crucial for maintaining your best health. 
 

Women’s mental wellness

Mental health is another important aspect of women’s well-being that is highlighted during Women’s Health Month. Women are more likely than men to experience conditions such as depression and anxiety, yet stigma and shame often prevent them from seeking help. By promoting open dialogue and providing resources for mental health support, Women’s Health Month encourages women to prioritize their emotional well-being and seek assistance when needed. 
 

Self-care

In addition to raising awareness about health issues, Women’s Health Month also emphasizes the importance of self-care and healthy lifestyle choices. “Regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and stress management are all essential for maintaining overall health and well-being”, said Dr. Goedtel Birr. By encouraging women to prioritize self-care and make healthy choices, Women’s Health Month empowers them to take control of their health and live their best lives. 
 

Coming together to raise awareness

Ultimately, Women’s Health Month is a time to celebrate the strength, resilience, and beauty of women everywhere. It’s a reminder that women’s health is not just an individual concern but a collective responsibility. By coming together to raise awareness, advocate for change, and support one another, we can create a world where all women can thrive. So, let’s take this opportunity to celebrate Women’s Health Month and commit ourselves to prioritizing the health and well-being of women today and every day. 

To schedule an appointment with a Prevea physician or advanced practice provider, schedule online at: prevea.com or call (920) 846-8181. 
About HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital
HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital serves Oconto Falls and the surrounding communities as a federally designated critical access hospital with a 24-hour emergency department; inpatient and outpatient surgical and diagnostic services; cancer care; therapy and rehabilitation; wound care; the Almost Home Swing Bed program; and more. It was founded as Oconto Falls City Hospital in 1921 and became HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in 2014 when it joined Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS). As an affiliate of HSHS, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital draws on the history of St. Francis of Assisi as it serves the health care needs of the region in Christ’s healing ministry, caring for all people. HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital also has five rural health center locations in affiliation with Prevea Health in Gillett, Lena, Mountain, Oconto Falls and Suring; and operates HSHS Pharmacies in Gillett and Oconto Falls, and HSHS Prescription Services (remote dispensing sites) in Lena, Mountain and Pulaski. In 2022, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital was named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the U.S. by The Chartis Center for Rural Health. For more information about St. Clare, please visit: www.stclarememorial.org.  
 
About Hospital Sisters Health System
Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high quality, Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our physician practices and 15 local hospitals in two states - Illinois (Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Litchfield, O’Fallon, Shelbyville and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan, and two in Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries,  and Hospital Sisters of St. Francis is the founding institute. For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org. For more information about Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, visit www.hospitalsisters.org.