The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH)’s Office of Women’s Health and Community Health (OWHCH) is continuing its “Listen to H.E.R.: Hearing, Empowering, Responding” town hall series, with the next town hall taking place in Pineville.

The town hall will be held on Tuesday, August 29 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Pineville Main Street Community Center, 708 Main St.

It is the fourth of nine town halls charged with raising awareness of the new OWHCH, promoting the many health services and programs available to residents, and collecting women’s health needs to inform the office’s priorities and future programming. The first town hall was held in Baton Rouge on March 21.

This town hall serves to assess the diverse health needs of women in Louisiana, promote accessible resources and inform stakeholders and the public on OWHCH initiatives. Attendees will be able to participate in health screenings, listen to personal testimonies from special guests and more.

Community members can register online for the event at no cost here.

“Hearing directly from the community allows us to give a voice to women’s health needs across their lifespan, as well as access to healthcare, mental wellness and preventative care,” said OWHCH Assistant Secretary Dr. Torrie Harris, PH, MPH. “Progress comes from actively listening to women and responding in a way that makes them feel seen and heard in healthcare, where traditionally they may not have always felt that they were.”

“What a wonderful opportunity we have now, with the organization of the OWHCH, to positively impact the lives of women as we focus on listening to their voices across our state,” said newly appointed Region 6 Medical Director Dr. Christina Lord, MD, FACOG. “I am honored to be part of this developing conversation, and encourage women in CenLa to attend this town hall Tuesday to tell us what we can do to help.”

Created during the 2022 Legislative Session, OWHCH provides an agency-wide focus on women’s health outcomes through policy, education, evidence-based practices, programs and services. The office aims to be a clearinghouse, coordinating agency and resource center for women’s health data and strategies, focusing on issues such as needs throughout a woman’s life; chronic or acute conditions; access to healthcare; how poverty impacts women’s health; leading causes of morbidity and mortality; and health disparities.

Operationalizing the Office of Women’s Health and Community Health is one of 17 key initiatives outlined in LDH’s FY23 business plan, “Invest: Teaming Up for a Stronger LDH and a Healthier Louisiana.”

Visit ldh.la.gov/womenshealth to learn more about OWHCH and stay up to date on its activities.