Last week’s blog post, “Why Doctors Can’t Stay Out of Politics—Especially Now,” prompted many insightful questions from you about what steps individuals can take considering the ongoing changes in U.S. healthcare policies. With the current uncertainty surrounding healthcare funding, access to services, drugs, and vaccines, due to the shift in priorities under the new administration, I wanted to provide some concrete steps you can take over the next 6-12 months to ensure your health remains a top priority.
Immediate Actions for Your Health
Schedule a Comprehensive Health Assessment
Now is the perfect time to check in with your doctor. Schedule a full physical exam, including essential screenings like blood pressure checks, cholesterol, blood glucose levels, and bone density. If you haven’t had a mammogram recently, be sure to get one. Early detection and preventative care are critical.
Review and Update Your Medications
Meet with your healthcare provider to review your current prescriptions. Make sure you’re up to date on menopause hormone therapy (MHT), antidepressants, or any long-term medications you might rely on. Given the possibility of disruptions in healthcare access, it’s a good idea to stock up on at least a 90-day supply if possible.
Check Your Vaccine Status
Make sure you’re up to date on vital vaccines like the flu, Covid-19, pneumonia, and shingles vaccines. If you need any catch-up shots, discuss them with your healthcare provider and consider getting them soon to avoid future disruptions.
Stay Informed About Policy Changes
Stay updated on potential changes to healthcare policies that could affect your care. Resources like American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), and Families USA offer timely policy insights.
How You Can Help Influence Healthcare Policy
In addition to taking care of your personal health, we all have the power to advocate for change and ensure that our healthcare system prioritizes the needs of women, especially those of us navigating menopause. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Reach out to Your Representatives: Use tools like 5calls.org to quickly find contact information for your state and Federal representatives. Call or email them to voice your concerns about the future of Medicare, Medicaid, women’s health funding and research prioritization, and safety and access to medications and vaccines. The power of your voice is critical in shaping policy.
Support Healthcare Advocacy Organizations: Many organizations are already on the front lines of protecting women’s health in the face of shifting policies.
Engage in Local Action: Your voice matters locally as well. Attend town halls, participate in marches or rallies, or get involved in local initiatives to support healthcare access. Share stories of how these policy changes are negatively impacting you, your family and friends, and the greater community. This type of grassroots advocacy can have an outsized impact.
Educate Others in Your Community: Share the knowledge you gain from staying informed with others in your community who may be more vulnerable or less able to navigate healthcare changes on their own. Whether it’s helping someone with a complicated insurance process or advocating for a neighbor’s healthcare access, small acts of solidarity can make a big difference.
Help Those in Vulnerable Populations: Support others in their communities who may be more vulnerable to changes in policy, such as low-income women, people of color, and those without stable healthcare access since cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. You can volunteer at local shelters, clinics, or community outreach programs and/or donate to organizations that support women’s health or health access for underserved populations.
By taking these actions, you can ensure your own health is safeguarded and be part of a larger movement to protect women’s health across the country. The uncertainty ahead might feel daunting, but by staying proactive, prepared, and engaged, we can continue to prioritize our well-being in these challenging times.
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