BC/EFA Annual Report 2004 - Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

BROADWAY CARES/EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS
PHYLLIS NEWMAN WOMEN’S HEALTH INITIATIVE
The Actors’ Fund established the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative (PNWHI) in 1996 to provide a safety net for women
in the entertainment industry coping with critical health concerns. The Women’s Health Initiative dedicates a range of resources
solely to addressing the health needs and concerns specific to women, providing direct services and financial assistance to many
women who are often without health insurance. In 2004, the Initiative helped 356 clients confront breast, cervical and ovarian
cancers, domestic violence, chemical dependency, mental health concerns, and other conditions.
The comprehensive nature of the Women’s Health Initiative’s case management approach encompasses employment, economic,
and other factors that impact each client’s ability to fight for her health with maximum success. Caseworkers are effective at helping
women deal with difficulties triggered by medical conditions and the subsequent challenges around financial, psychological and
family issues. They also stay involved with clients on an ongoing basis and provide the support and referrals they need to best cope
with these pressing issues. Counselors offer vital assistance in treatment and recovery, applying for benefits, filing insurance claims,
coordinating childcare, and devising financial plans.
Support groups offered by PNWHI provide a place where women can come together to offer and receive support around issues
ranging from managing chronic physical and mental health conditions to aging in the industry, as well as anti-violence and family
issues. The Women’s HIV Outreach and Education Program offers comprehensive services for women in the entertainment industry
concerned about safer sex, HIV, or other sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, the Women’s Health Initiative provides an
extensive resource library, and access to a vast network of women’s healthcare providers, research studies, and other resources.
In 2004, PNWHI clients received social services ranging from case management to individual counseling, to assistance in
applying for benefits and coordinating childcare, and were provided with $219,000 in essential financial assistance. An impressive
227 mammograms and 104 gynecological exams were provided at no charge to women in “in the business” without adequate health
insurance at The Actors’ Fund’s Hirschfeld Free Clinic at The Aurora on West 57th Street and Tenth Avenue. BC/EFA provided
$450,000 to support the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative in fiscal year 2004 – up from $210,500 in 2003.
“HAPPILY THE MAMMOGRAM WAS NEGATIVE. NOW THAT I AM
EMPLOYED, PLEASE ACCEPT THE ENCLOSED AS A DONATION TO HELP
ANOTHER WOMAN HAVE A MAMMOGRAM. THANK YOU FOR FUNDING
SUCH A WONDERFUL SERVICE. NO ONE SHOULD USE LACK OF
INSURANCE AS A REASON NOT TO BE EXAMINED.”
ACTORS’ FUND WOMEN’S HEALTH INITIATIVE CLIENT
the actors’ fund of america
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