Assemblywoman Dr. Margie Donlon (D, Tinton Falls) is not only a practicing physician; she is the first female physician serving in the New Jersey Legislature.
So, when she spoke last week on a panel at the Healthcare Institute of New Jersey’s HerHealth event, her words carried extra weight.
She noted that New Jersey is a leader in certain areas of women’s health, citing an example of legislation ensuring that insurance companies pay for menopause support.
But she said a bigger issue needs attention – changing the way we see women’s health.
“We need to avoid siloing women’s health in specific areas,” she said. “We need to start looking at women’s health as a continuum throughout the lifespan.”
Her fellow panelist, Assistant Commissioner Iris Jones of New Jersey’s Office of Women’s Health, announced a project for improving how women receive treatment.
“We are designing a women’s health hub,” she said. “It’s a trusted space where women and families will be able to come for health information and connect to resources that will support them in understanding that information as well as accessing healthcare.”
The hub is intended to simplify the treatment process, with innovative technology informing patients of what resources they’re qualified for in New Jersey. By eliminating the need to consult multiple professionals about which resources to seek, the hub should make families more likely to follow through with treatment, she said
And following through on personal health can be hard for a busy woman. Jones knows this firsthand.
“I tend to get my kids to all of their doctor and dental appointments, and make sure the dog gets to the vet,” she said, “but then I will move my mammogram three times because I’m just too busy to get it done.”
