March is Women’s History Month, and our state’s history will show that 2024 the WalletHub report on the best and worst states for women ranked us 43rd out of 50 states. For Life Expectancy from Birth, we ranked 38th. For the Quality of Women’s Hospitals, we ranked 34th; for Women’s Preventative Health Care, we ranked 33rd. For women with health insurance, we ranked 49th.
Seeking expert insight, I reached out to Dr. Karla Booker, FACOG FAAFP, a highly respected board-certified OB/GYN with decades of experience in our community. When I asked Dr. Booker about our overall ranking of 43rd and her thoughts, she explained that she wasn’t surprised and that the general populace needed to be more aware.
Dr. Booker rightly points out that the states in the Bible Belt, including ours, place values on people, including women. The conversation on the value of people in our country, particularly concerning women's health, is yet to be had. The Bible Belt in our country aligns with the Diabetes, Cancer, and Obesity Belt, underscoring that religious faith doesn’t necessarily translate to valuing good health. Our community needs to come together to address these issues.
In our state, even women who have insurance experience the quality of women’s hospitals, ranked 34th in our state. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 allows states to extend Medicaid coverage to pregnant people from 60 days to one year postpartum. This is a State Plan Amendment that states have to opt into and would benefit our state as we have one of the worst maternal mortality rates in the nation. Booker says that the expansion would not have passed if not for the election of Ossoff and Warnock. She reiterates the need to vote in every election.
When asked what women can do to take control of their own health, she shares that food is for fuel and not a reward.
For the complete Wallet Hub Best and Worst States for Women
For more information about Dr. Karla Booker
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