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In 2004, legislation creating section 381.04015, Florida Statutes, was passed, creating an Officer of Women's Health Strategy within the Department of Health for the purpose of improving the overall health status of women in Florida through research, awareness, and education. This legislation also charged the Officer of Women's Health Strategy to organize an Interagency Committee for Women's Health.
The legislation identifies key state agency partners to include, but not be limited to, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Education, the Department of Elder Affairs, the Department of Corrections, the Office of Insurance Regulation of the Department of Financial Services and the Department of Juvenile Justice.
In addition the legislation directs that:
- Women's Health issues shall be taken into consideration in the annual budget planning of the Department of Health, the Agency for Health Care Administration, and the Department of Elder Affairs
- The inclusion of gender consideration and differential impact shall be one of the criteria when assessing research and demonstration proposals for which state funding is being sought from the Department of Health, the Agency for Health Care Administration, and the Department of Elder Affairs
- Board or advisory bodies that fall under the purview of the Department of Health, the Agency for Health Care Administration, and the Department of Elder Affairs shall be encouraged to seek equal representation of women and men and the inclusion of persons who are knowledgeable and sensitive to gender and diversity issues.
Purpose of the Interagency Committee for Women's Health
1) To integrate women's health program in current operating and service delivery structures.
2) To set priorities for women's health.
Composition of the Interagency Committee for Women's Health
The members of the Interagency Committee are invited to serve on the committee by the Officer for Women's Health Strategy. Members are invited because of their knowledge and expertise and ability to influence changes in policies and practices that will improve the health of women in Florida. Members include key state agency partners specified in the law, other state agency partners, public and private organizations, and health consumers.
Structure of the Interagency Committee for Women's Health
The Interagency Committee meets on a quarterly basis. In addition, members are invited to serve on standing subcommittees. The standing subcommittees are the:
- Conference Planning Subcommittee is charged to provide content and process expertise in developing a Governor's Conference on Women's Health.
- Public Awareness and Education Subcommittee is charged to promote public awareness and education on the health needs of women, guide the development of a web-based clearinghouse on women's health issues and resource, and develop ideas to recognize Women's Health Month.
- Strategic Initiatives Subcommittee is charged to address other legislative mandates in the statute including without limitation: the development of a Statewide Women's Health Plan; consideration of women's health issues in annual budget planning; gender considerations when assessing research and demonstration proposals under consideration for state funding; equal representation of women and men and in the appointment of board and advisory bodies. Membership on this subcommittee must include the Department of Health, the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Elder Affairs and is open to other interested members.
- Ad-hoc committees may be formed for special projects or needs.
Members of the Interagency Committee for Women's Health are expected to:
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