NJ program boosts health care for disabled women
New Jersey announced a new initiative Monday, backed by a state grant, to help address the inequities often found in sexual and reproductive health care for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The initiative will be led by the Rowan-Virtua Regional Integrated Special Needs (RISN) Center in South Jersey, but state officials said it will provide training and resources that should help women across the state.
“Individuals with intellectual disabilities have the same gynecological health issues as people who don’t have a disability, but are less likely to get these health care needs met,” said Wendy Aita, a clinical psychologist and co-director of the Rowan-Virtua Center, which is in Sewell, in Gloucester County.
“Sometimes this is related to the stigma associated with sexuality or the misconception that individuals with disabilities don’t need to have reproductive health care exams,” Aita said. “Sometimes it’s related to a health care provider’s lack of training or experience with people who have intellectual disabilities.”
This initiative is supported by funding from the state Human Services Department’s Inclusive Healthy Communities program, which seeks to reduce health care disparities between New Jerseyans with and without disabilities, said Monday’s announcement from the state.
The grant program “aims to enhance accessibility and health, and that includes ensuring women with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive the same equitable access to vital health care services,” said Kaylee McGuire, deputy commissioner for aging and disability services in the state Human Services Department.
Efforts will include reducing stigma around sexuality education, addressing sexual trauma and promoting patient autonomy in health care decisions, the state said.
Among the specific elements of the initiative:
Pap Camp
These free sessions allow women with intellectual disabilities to meet with health professionals and learn about reproductive health and what happens during a gynecological exam. The goal is to reduce fear, explain consent and help them better communicate with doctors, officials said. More information is available at the Rowan-Virtua Pap Camp website.
“Individuals with intellectual disabilities have the same gynecological health issues as people who don’t have a disability, but are less likely to get these health care needs met.”
Wendy Aita Clinical psychologist and co-director of the Rowan-Virtua Center, which is in Sewell, in Gloucester County
Accessible resources
The center has created easy-to-understand materials on women’s health, including “pamphlets, videos, and an interactive workbook, ensuring that vital information is available in formats that cater to various learning styles and abilities,” the state said.
Medical training
Rowan-Virtua is developing specialized training to help doctors and other health care workers learn how to care for patients with disabilities, including communicating effectively and accommodating unique needs such as sensory sensitivities.
Empowerment and consent
The initiative prioritizes helping people with IDDs learn to make informed decisions about their health and to advocate for themselves.
“We can improve health care for people with different abilities by including them in their own health care decisions,” said Jennifer LeComte, medical director of the RISN Center. “We see every appointment as an opportunity to educate and empower patients and their caregivers to advocate for themselves.”