Be your own health ally—and a health ally for women in your life

The numbers are in: Women are driving healthcare and wellness for their families, with 80% being the primary healthcare decision makers for their households.

If you’re a woman making these decisions for your family, it’s important not to forget about your own health. Equity gaps in women’s health have not helped—in fact, a 2019 study of health data from 6.9 million Danish people found that across hundreds of diseases, women on average were diagnosed four years later than the age at which the conditions were recognized in men.

You have the power to advocate for your own health and help close these gaps, and having allies goes a long way. You can take control of your health and help the women in your life prioritize theirs by focusing on preventive care like health screenings and finding resources available through organizations like Labcorp. Labcorp is a leader in women’s health—with world class diagnostic services in preventive care and wellness, chronic disease management, family planning, cancer risk prediction and diagnosis, and we offer personalized care through the leading women’s health digital app, Ovia Health.

We can all be allies of women’s health. Here are some ways you can be your own health ally—and an ally for the women in your life.

Find a primary care provider (PCP)

If you don’t have a PCP, you’re not alone. According to a study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), 25% of Americans don’t have a PCP. Having regular appointments with a PCP for preventive care increases your chances for a longer, healthier life. That’s why it’s so important to find a PCP who’s right for you – the following tips can help:

• Ask friends and family. What do they like about their doctor? What keeps them going back?
• Know what’s in-network. You may save money by finding a PCP that accepts your insurance
• Think about your location. Traveling long distances to your doctor may be expensive and inconvenient—consider one closer to you
• Know what’s important. Consider first and foremost your personal health priorities when choosing a PCP

Once you’re at your appointment, be sure to ask questions that can help you plan for a healthy future. Here are some to consider:

• What vaccinations do I need for work, travel and everyday life?
• Does my family health history put me at risk for certain diseases?
• What lifestyle changes can I make to lower my risks?
• When should I schedule my next visit?

You can also access preventive care from a number of other sources, including:

• An OB/GYN
• A retail store walk-in clinic
• A telehealth provider

Ultimately, you want your access to care to be convenient—taking the stress out of finding care is an empowering way to be an ally for your health.

Learn more about the importance of scheduling a wellness visit here.

Learn more about routine health screening

Staying current on your checkups and screenings is an incredibly powerful way to advocate for your health. Based on your age, there are recommended screenings to assess your overall well-being.

Check out our list of recommended, routine tests based on your age and discuss them with your doctor. Those at higher risk for certain types of diseases or cancers may require additional screening:

• Women ages 18-39
• Women ages 40+

Or visit our Count On You site for even more information about recommended screenings and how routine testing is the cornerstone of preventive medicine.

Prefer to skip the upfront visit? Explore ondemand.labcorp.com to learn about testing options that allow you to perform specimen collection at home or at a local Labcorp location. We offer a variety of screenings and tests, from general wellness screening to sexual health, fertility and pregnancy-related testing.

Take advantage of free educational resources

Wherever you are on your health journey, there are plenty of educational resources available to you at no cost. Whether you’re curious about annual wellness exams, sexual health testing, family planning or pregnancy, hereditary cancer testing or anything in between, Labcorp offers a wide variety of resources—including videos, checklists and more—all designed to help you take charge of your health.

You can also consider digital health platforms like Ovia Health, which offers you personalized content for your health journey, connects you to health experts and offers a wealth of information on topics like fertility, pregnancy, parenting, menopause and more.

Be your own health ally and help others

We encourage you to put your health first by taking steps like finding a primary care provider, talking to your doctor about annual tests and screenings that are right for you and taking the time to learn more about resources that are available to you no matter where you are on your health journey.

Women’s health is at the heart of Labcorp. We aspire to be the lab that supports women's needs across every stage of life. We’re here to support your journey—every step of the way.