By: Gwendolyn Lavalais, MD – Gift of Life Medical Director
March is a momentous month for women! With observances like Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8), this month honors the significant contributions of women across the world. The 2025 International Women’s Day theme: “Accelerate Action” is especially empowering because it reminds us that transformational changes are possible with positive steps forward.
Speaking of positive steps, I am very proud of the efforts Gift of Life makes to meet the needs of Southeast Texas women who are uniquely vulnerable to medical barriers. We can only solve the problems we understand! This month, let’s accelerate action and compassion by learning more about 5 healthcare challenges confronting Southeast Texas women every day.
1. Lack of Health Insurance
Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the United States, with 20% of women lacking coverage. In Gift of Life’s seven-county service area, more than 11,000 women are uninsured. Research shows that this results in fewer preventive services, like mammograms, pap tests, and routine checkups, which increases late-stage cancer diagnoses. This is why Gift of Life’s mission is so important!
2. Financial Hardship
Did you know that low-income populations have higher negative health outcomes and mortality rates? When compared with state averages, Southeast Texans have lower incomes and higher rates of poverty. Countless local women struggle to afford out-of-pocket costs for check-ups and screenings, forcing them to postpone or cancel vital care. Poverty can be a devastating, self-perpetuating cycle.
3. Transportation Concerns
Gift of Life’s service area is largely classified as rural, where limited public transportation and declining vehicle ownership make attending medical appointments, accessing services, or picking up medication a considerable challenge. This is especially true for women, who are less likely to own a car. Simply not having a ride can have such dire consequences!
4. Provider Shortages
Many Southeast Texas counties are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), indicating an insufficient number of healthcare providers to meet demand. Women living in HPSA counties face fewer healthcare options, longer wait times, and delayed diagnoses and treatment. Patients suffer when transportation limitations and provider shortages collide.
5. Limited Health Literacy
Health literacy is more than reading and writing! This term refers to the skills people and organizations need to find, exchange, understand, and utilize information to make healthy, educated decisions. Over a third of American adults possess limited health literacy, contributing to increased hospitalization and ER visits, lower use of preventive services, like mammograms, and a reduced ability to correctly manage medication. Sadly, these alarming health outcomes disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including minorities, seniors, women, and children. Education, awareness, and understanding are essential components for a thriving community.
The Good News
Research shows that investing in women’s healthcare leads to stronger families, healthier communities, and increased economic growth. By collectively working to eliminate the barriers that reduce the well-being of Southeast Texas women, we will create a brighter future for our entire community. Gift of Life is committed to empowering women through free cancer screenings, education and support – but we can’t do it alone!
Please join us in improving women’s health and raising awareness of these issues with your support.
