Purpose

1. Law
2. Tennessee Code
3. Health, Safety and Environmental Protection
4. Department of Health
5. Office of Women's Health Act of 2000
6. Purpose

The office of women's health is designated for the following purposes:

1. To continue to educate and advocate for women's health by establishing appropriate forums, programs, and initiatives designed to educate the public regarding women's health issues with an emphasis on preventive health and healthy lifestyles;
2. To assist the commissioner in identifying, coordinating, and establishing priorities for programs, services, and resources the state should provide for women's health issues and concerns relating to the reproductive, menopausal, and post-menopausal phases of a woman's life with an emphasis on post-menopausal health;
3. To serve as a clearinghouse and resource for information on women's health by maintaining a current list of applicable resources and referring persons to the proper locations for obtaining such information. Information shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
   1. Diseases that significantly impact women, including heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis;
   2. Menopause;
   3. Mental health;
   4. Substance abuse;
   5. Sexually transmitted diseases; and
   6. Sexual assault and domestic violence;
4. To collect, classify, and analyze relevant research information and data conducted or compiled by the department or other entities in collaboration with the department, as well as to provide, except as prohibited by law, interested persons with information regarding research results;
5. To develop and recommend funding and program activities for educating the public on women's health initiatives, including, but not limited to, the following:
   1. Health needs throughout a woman's life;
   2. Diseases which significantly affect women, including heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis;
   3. Access to health care for women;
   4. Poverty and women's health;
   5. The leading causes of morbidity and mortality for women; and
   6. Special health concerns for minority women;
6. To make recommendations to the commissioner regarding programs that address women's health issues for inclusion in the department's annual budget and strategic planning;
7. To seek funding from various entities to carry out the purposes of this part;
8. To conduct public educational forums in conjunction with other public health events and conferences in the state to raise public awareness and educate citizens about women's health issues; and
9. To coordinate the activities and programs of the office with other entities that focus on women's health or women's issues.

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