What Women Should Do

Avoiding tobacco, increasing physical activity, making informed nutritional choices, and regularly visiting their health care provider, will ensure that Wisconsin women are included in the vision of "healthy people in healthy Wisconsin communities." Women’s use of the health care system exceeds that of men by 25 per cent, and even more when health services associated with pregnancy and birthing are considered. Consequently, when changes to the health system are made, it is essential that the health care needs of women are considered throughout the planning and change process. Primary health care in B.C. requires health system change. It has been identified as a priority for the province, based on data and results from many jurisdictions, including leading-edge primary health care rojects in British Columbia. As a result, both the provincial and federal governments have committed resources to improve primary health care services. The basic premise for ensuring long-term health is that the best opportunities to improve health occur when health care services are focused on prevention, integration and patient involvement.