TRICARE Preventive Health Benefits Women Should Know

Eating well, exercising often, and getting enough sleep are habits that can help you live your healthiest life. And when it comes to feeling and staying well, getting preventive health care is also a must.

Walk-in Contraception Services at Military Medical Treatment Facilities

Policy Number: 6025.09

Establishes DHA's procedures for implementation of walk-in contraception services at all Military Medical Treatment Facilities, for Active Duty members of the Armed Forces and for eligible beneficiaries of the Military Health System on a space available basis.

Working Together to Improve Black Maternal Health

“Black Maternal Health Week is a reminder that so many families experience pain, neglect, and loss during what should be one of the most joyous times of their lives. It is an urgent call for action,” states a proclamation signed by President Joe Biden in observance of Black Maternal Health Week 2023, observed April 11-17.

MHS Video On Sexual Assault in the Military

Ms. Seileen Mullen, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, stopped by DHA headquarters to discuss everyone's role in preventing sexual harassment and assault and DHA's unique role in treating patients after sexual trauma. Sexual assault is a real problem within our military. Everyone in the military community can play a role in preventing this crime and creating a zero-tolerance atmosphere that supports survivors. Visiting the Safe Helpline website for more information or to talk to a counselor. https://safehelpline.org/

Blanchfield Army Community Hospital Mom & Me Program Provides Specialized Support to Military Families

There was a party recently during Blanchfield Army Community Hospital’s breastfeeding support group, Mom & Me. Group moms and babies gathered round in support and a dinosaur birthday cake was nearby. The Mom & Me program connects and provides breastfeeding mothers with lactation consultants.

U.S. Army Colonel Says it’s OK to Take a Knee with Breast Cancer

U.S. Army Col. Theresa Lewis, a registered nurse, spent the last 29 years taking care of soldiers. “I was a private at Fort Stewart and my dream was to return to Fort Stewart to retire there.” She did come back to Fort Stewart as the deputy commander of nursing of Winn Army Community Hospital.

PrEP: Learn About the Highly Effective Drug to Prevent HIV

HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis drugs, otherwise known as PrEP, are powerful weapons against HIV. Through education and raising awareness of HIV exposures, the risks of getting the disease are lower than ever.

Frequently Asked Questions on Reproductive Health Care

On Oct. 20, 2022, the Secretary of Defense released a memorandum, “Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care,” directing the Department take a series of actions to ensure Service members and their families can access non-covered reproductive health care. On Feb. 16, 2023, the Department of Defense released those directed policies, which will be effective no later than 30 days from Feb. 16, 2023.

DOD Releases Policies to Ensure Access to Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care

The Department of Defense has released the directed policies on command notification of pregnancy, administrative absence for non-covered reproductive health care, and travel allowances for non-covered reproductive health care.

Command Notification of Pregnancy

This policy clarifies when a Service member’s pregnancy status is shared with commanders, standardizes and extends the timeframe for Service members to inform their commanders about a pregnancy, and reinforces that commanders must always exercise objectivity and discretion when handling reproductive health care issues.

Travel for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care Services

This regulation ensures Service members and eligible dependents are eligible for travel and transportation allowances to access non-covered reproductive health care services when timely access to non-covered reproductive health care services is not available within the local area of the member’s permanent duty station, temporary duty location, or the last location the dependent was transported on authorized government orders.

Overview: Ensuring Access to Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care

These policies reflect our commitment to taking care of our people and ensuring that the entire Force remains ready and resilient. These policies ensure Service members are able to access non-covered reproductive health care regardless of where they are stationed.

Administrative Absence for Non-Covered Reproductive Health Care

This policy provides Service members the ability to request an administrative absence from their normal duty stations in order to access, or accompany a dual-military spouse or dependent to access, non-covered reproductive health care without being charged leave.

USU, Canadian Armed Forces Host Military Women’s Health Workshop

Women make up nearly 20% of the the United States Armed Forces, so having more females in healthcare professions creates a much more effective force. That's why the Uniformed Services University and Canadian Armed Forces Health Services collaborated recently to advance research on women’s health issues and to optimize care for women in uniform.

Uniformed Services University Professor Develops Self-Diagnosis, Treatment Kit for Common Female Infections

It's a major research advancement in women's health and females serving in the U.S. military may soon have access to it. See how a new, self-diagnosis and self-treatment kit can help deployed women overseas or in austere environments.