The New York State Department of Health recognizes National Women's Health Week, observed May 12-17, by encouraging women across the state to prioritize their physical, mental and emotional well-being and take advantage of resources that support health at every stage of life.
“National Women’s Health Week is an important reminder for women to take time to consider their own health and well-being,” State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. “I encourage every woman to take time this week to focus on her well-being. Investing in women’s health is investing in a stronger, healthier future for us all.”
"The New York State Department of Health is committed to ensuring all women have access to high-quality, inclusive and affirming care," Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne said. "During this week, we recognize and honor the dedicated health care professionals and community leaders who work to deliver compassionate, stigma-free services to women every day."
The State Department of Health has advanced comprehensive policies and programs that support the health and autonomy of women in New York State. In 2024, Commissioner McDonald signed a standing order for contraception, allowing individuals to obtain hormonal contraception without first visiting a doctor. This builds upon the Department's commitment to protect people of reproductive age following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
The Department is committed to addressing systemic inequities and racism in health care, creating safer birth experiences for all New Yorkers, maintaining access to reproductive health services, and providing resources to women and their families.
Governor Kathy Hochul kicked off a statewide campaign to raise awareness of New York’s first-in-the-nation paid prenatal leave policy, which took effect on January 1, 2025. The policy allows workers to take paid leave for any pregnancy-related medical appointments.
As of March 1, 2024, New York State Medicaid covers doula services for pregnant, birthing, and postpartum people. Doulas support pregnant and postpartum people to improve health outcomes of the populations served. Doulas provide physical, emotional, educational, and non-medical support for pregnant and postpartum people before, during, and after childbirth or the end of pregnancy. To support access to services, the Department maintains a directory of doulas enrolled to provide covered services to Medicaid members. The Doula Expansion Grant Program will allow the Department to award $250,000 to community-based organizations for the recruitment, training, certification, support, and/or mentoring of community-based doulas.
New York Medicaid and Child Health Plus (CHPlus) extended postpartum health coverage from 60 days to a full year following pregnancy. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the benefit extension, allowing New York State to provide pregnant enrollees with 12 months of postpartum coverage, regardless of immigration status or how the pregnancy ends.
The New York State Family Planning Program supports more than 160 clinic sites across the state to provide accessible, confidential family planning services to all, including low-income and uninsured individuals. Family Planning Programs provide low-cost, high-quality services such as pregnancy testing and options counseling, contraceptive methods (birth control), reproductive life planning and counseling, preconception health services, testing for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, routine screening for breast and cervical cancer, health education, and referrals. Family planning clinics provide services in a way that does not discriminate against any client based on religion, race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics, number of pregnancies, or marital status.
The New York State Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides breastfeeding support, nutrition education, referrals to other services, and nutritious foods to over 450,000 women, infants, and children each month. Participation in WIC is associated with longer pregnancies, earlier prenatal care, and improved dietary intake for pregnant and postpartum participants, among other positive health outcomes. WIC welcomes parents and other caregivers, including grandparents and foster parents. Appointments are available in person or by phone. "Wanda," WIC's virtual assistant, is available in English and Spanish to help people learn about the WIC program and connect with a local office.
The Department continues to work to prevent and control cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV, asthma, cancer, and related risk factors for these diseases, which are commonly cited as causes of disability and death for women, both nationally and in New York State. The Department’s Division of Chronic Disease Prevention implements programs focused on women’s health, including funding several grantees to offer a Post-Treatment Support Services for Breast Cancer Survivors program. This program consists of support groups and one-to-one peer mentoring to breast cancer survivors who are transitioning from active treatment to post-treatment care, with an added focus on supporting survivors who are Black to help address disparities in breast cancer outcomes. The New York State Cancer Services Program offers free breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening, diagnostic testing, and referral to treatment to eligible uninsured and underinsured people, including women.
Women's Health Week is an opportunity to highlight the health needs of all people who were assigned female at birth, regardless of their gender identity or gender expression, and all people who identify as women. Transgender men and those who identify as non-binary who were assigned female at birth may still be at risk of health complications like cervical cancer or breast cancer. Transgender women need access to affirming health care services that meet their needs.
As these communities may not be aware of these potential health risks or mistrust traditional health care providers, in 2023, the Department implemented a pilot Transgender Clinical Scholars Training Program to recruit and train health professionals to deliver transgender primary care and other services to members of the transgender community. The Department has also highlighted the various health needs of transgender and non-binary New Yorkers.
The Department's AIDS Institute's Division of HIV/STD/HCV Prevention Women's Services Initiative and Communities of Color Initiative support programs that provide a comprehensive range of HIV/STI/HCV prevention interventions and related services for women and young women of color through the implementation of proven high impact prevention strategies and innovative interventions.
Explore Women’s Health Resources:
The Women's Health information page can be found here.
Women's Health Issues can be found here.
The New York State Department of Health Cancer Community Programs List can be found here.