Although there are no research results available yet that provide best practices for developing community-based women's health centers, academic providers have a strong track
record in this area. Since 1996 HHS's Office of Women's Health has funded women's health programs at 15 academic centers that have shown progress in integrating clinical services,
health education and research under a common women's health umbrella. Successful outreach programs have included:
- The Health Tip Card project, which incorporated the Depression Tip Card, recognized by Tipper Gore as part of the Vice President's Mental Health Campaign. The project
provides culturally sensitive preventive health education. - Partnership efforts to increase breast cancer awareness and early detection among Haitian women.
- Use of women's health advisory councils to provide advice on what is needed to improve health services to women from the consumer, provider and researcher perspectives.
- Use of focus groups to develop the first tool to measure women's satisfaction with primary care.