Recognizing the critical need for accessible and reliable health information tailored for women, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Women’s Health (OWH) pioneered the “A Time to Care” (TTTC) outreach initiative in 1998. This comprehensive program is designed to empower women by providing them with free, easy-to-understand health education materials. “A Time To Care Program” achieves its mission through extensive outreach activities and strategic collaborations with a wide array of national partners. These partners include prominent women’s health organizations, dedicated health professionals, vital community and faith-based institutions, key industry stakeholders, respected universities, and other government agencies, creating a robust network to disseminate crucial health information.
Leveraging this effective outreach collaboration model, the FDA Office of Women’s Health has successfully launched and managed numerous impactful national outreach campaigns under the umbrella of “a time to care program”. Throughout OWH’s history, these campaigns have addressed a diverse range of critical women’s health topics, some of which are highlighted below. The OWH continues to utilize valuable resources and publications developed from these past campaigns, alongside new materials, to consistently educate the public on vital aspects of women’s health. You can explore these resources further through the Women’s Health Topics and Free Publications For Women sections on the FDA website.
Key Campaigns Under the “A Time to Care Program”
The “a time to care program” has been instrumental in delivering targeted health information to women across the nation through various focused campaigns. Here are some notable examples:
Use Medicines Wisely (1998): Promoting Safe Medication Practices
The inaugural “Use Medicines Wisely” campaign under “a time to care program” aimed to educate women on the importance of safe medication use. A key deliverable was the creation of the “My Medicines” record keeper, a practical tool for women to manage their medications effectively. This resource was translated into an impressive 14 languages and distributed nationwide through a collaboration with 60 national organizations, spearheaded by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS). To further reach Hispanic and Latina women, the program developed the “¡Nunca Más! Novela Health Series [ARCHIVED]” and associated video series, delivering safe medication use information in a culturally relevant and accessible format.
Pink Ribbon Guide – Mammography Matters (1998): Emphasizing Early Breast Cancer Detection
Recognizing the importance of early detection, “a time to care program” launched the Pink Ribbon Sunday Program to educate African American and Hispanic women about the life-saving benefits of mammography for early breast cancer detection. Over time, the program expanded its outreach efforts to connect with an even broader range of women. The updated mammography resource, “Pink Ribbon Guide: Mammography Matters”, continues to be a valuable tool in this ongoing effort, providing essential information and encouraging proactive health practices.
Diabetes Campaign (2002): Raising Awareness for Diabetes Prevention and Management
The “a time to care program” Diabetes Campaign was initiated to increase public awareness regarding diabetes prevention and effective management strategies. The initial phase was a collaborative effort with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS). Building on this foundation, in 2010, OWH launched a specific project focused on educating women about the safe and proper use of diabetes medications and devices, addressing a critical aspect of diabetes management within the “a time to care program” framework.
Menopause Hormone Therapy Campaign (2005): Providing Clarity on Hormone Therapy
In 2005, “a time to care program” addressed the complexities surrounding menopause hormone therapy by launching an educational initiative to inform women about the potential risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy. This campaign involved partnerships with all federal public health agencies and 26 national organizations, resulting in the development of comprehensive educational materials in both English and Spanish, ensuring nationwide accessibility and understanding of this important health topic.
Hispanic Women’s Health Outreach (2007): Connecting with Hispanic/Latino Communities
Recognizing the diverse needs of the population, “a time to care program” actively conducts multiple education and awareness initiatives specifically designed to connect Hispanic/Latino women with vital FDA health and safety information. These ongoing efforts, detailed under Hispanic Women’s Health: Tips for Healthy Living, ensure that health information is culturally relevant and accessible to this significant demographic.
College Women’s Campaign (2008): Reaching Young Women with Health Education
The “a time to care program” extended its reach to younger women through the College Women’s Campaign. This initiative aims to provide young women with greater access to essential FDA health information by partnering with colleges and universities across the country. OWH health publications are disseminated through college health centers, health education programs, wellness centers, and other key campus locations. The campaign’s extensive network includes over 150 institutions, encompassing Women’s Colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Community Colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Schools of Nursing, Schools of Pharmacy, and other post-secondary schools, ensuring broad coverage and impact.
Women in Clinical Trials Initiative (2016): Promoting Women’s Participation in Research
The “a time to care program” also encompasses the Women in Clinical Trials Initiative, a collaborative effort with the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health. This initiative focuses on raising awareness about the critical importance of women – of all ages, races, ethnicities, and health conditions – participating in clinical trials. It also aims to share best practices related to clinical research design, recruitment strategies, and subpopulation analyses. The initiative includes a public awareness campaign, along with valuable resources and workshops tailored for health professionals and researchers, furthering the reach and impact of “a time to care program”.
Through “a time to care program”, the FDA Office of Women’s Health continues to demonstrate its commitment to women’s health by providing crucial information and resources through targeted outreach and collaborative partnerships, ensuring women are empowered to make informed decisions about their health.
