An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Emergency Procedures Due to Extreme Weather >>> Emergency procedures are in place in multiple states due to Hurricane Helene. >>Learn more 
Local News | Dec. 28, 2022

Women's Health Equity is a Real Focus for DOD, Mullen Says

By JANET A. AKER

Health equality for women in service and women beneficiaries is and will remain a top priority for the Department of Defense, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Seileen Mullen made clear during a recent podcast.

Talking to the Army Wife Network on Nov. 30, Mullen said women have unique needs, including reproductive care and gender-specific care issues, because they differ from men in cardiovascular health, mental health, and musculoskeletal injures, among other medical issues.

"We've made that a real focus and part of my portfolio and my issue," Mullen said.

Women are the fastest growing percentage of the armed services at about 18% of the total, and women make up 4.7 million DOD beneficiaries, she pointed out.

Mullen discussed the DOD's recent focus on contraceptive and reproductive care during the podcast.

Family Planning or Deployment Planning

She spoke about the recent directive requiring walk-in contraceptive services at military hospitals and clinics and the variety of contraceptive choices that are available through the Military Health System.

"That is very critical because you either want to plan your family or plan your deployment," Mullen said.

On Sept. 27, the Defense Health Agency issued the requirement that military hospitals and clinics offer full-scope, walk-in contraceptive services. By January 2023, DHA hospitals and clinics will specify the location and hours of operation for walk-in services, providing same-day access with no appointment or referral needed.

2020 RAND study that was published in 2022, informed much of the increased focus on women's health, Mullen said.

That study–the first on military women's health in 30 years– highlighted the need for women's health services "which are becoming some of the top clinical service delivery lines in the MHS," she said.

She also pointed to the DOD's memo on ensuring access to reproductive health published on Oct. 20.

In that memo, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III directs the military to "conduct a comprehensive contraception education campaign to enhance service members' awareness of the resources available to them and their families, including emergency contraception."

"That education campaign will also highlight the fact that the Department of Defense has eliminated TRICARE co-pays for medical contraceptive services, including intrauterine devices," the memo states.

"We're removing that copay to make it that much easier for women in the military to get services such as IUDs and contraceptive implants," Mullen said.

She let the audience know about two mobile apps that help female service members and their families decide on family planning and deployment readiness, the Decide and Be Ready mobile app, and the Deployment Readiness Education for Service Women (DRES) mobile app, respectively.

The military is also conducting pilot programs with doulas, who help women through pregnancy and childbirth, and lactation consultants.

The websites www.health.mil and www.tricare.mil are both great sources of information on women's contraceptive and reproductive information, Mullen said.

Empowerment is Key

The podcaster asked Mullen what empowerment means to her, a question she asks every guest.

"Empowerment is autonomy," Mullen responded. "I think we are each capable, fully realized human beings who know what's best for ourselves and the best decisions for ourselves and for our families."

"I believe we should be allowed as often, and as frequently as possible, to express autonomy," she added.

"We are people who are smart. We know what we would like to do, and we know what's right to do," she said. "I think that autonomy to do those actions is what empowerment means to me."

Woman wearing Army t-shirt holds weight. Text reads, "NO PAIN NO GAIN MYTHS: DHA Public Health."

Military Health Expert Clarifies ‘No Pain No Gai...

Local News
Sep. 30, 2024

Department of Defense active duty service members require medical treatment for injuries almost 5 million...
Read More
Airmen prep a cargo net on the floor of a warehouse before putting it onto a aircraft sized cargo pallet at Incirlik Air Base.

Defense Health Agency Medical Logistics Team Mai...

Local News
Sep. 12, 2024

MEDLOG is a premier shared service provider promoting uniformity, efficiency, and joint interoperability of...
Read More
Graphic of reminders that "Mental Health Matters" with a logo that reads "Ask the Doc" in the corner.

Ask the Doc: What Are Ways To Protect My Mental ...

Local News
Sep. 04, 2024

Our mental health expert, U.S. Public Health Service Capt. Meghan Corso, chief of behavioral health clinical...
Read More
New text service offers military healthcare updates, information

Defense Health Agency Launches New App for Provi...

Local News
Aug. 29, 2024

Defense Health Agency develops important new tool for assessing and managing mild traumatic brain injury, also...
Read More
Man wearing beanie and green t-shirt that says "G TEAM" stands in front of yellow moving truck.

How AFMES Members Balance Duty and Community

Local News
Aug. 29, 2024

At the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, the dedication to service transcends the lab coats and sterile...
Read More
Man in suit speaks at podium in front of sign that says "DEFENSE HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM 2024."

Military Health Information Technology Focus of ...

Local News
Aug. 27, 2024

The 2024 Defense Health Information Technology Symposium kicked off in Dallas, Texas, with Patrick (Pat)...
Read More
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that 60 percent of mothers in the U.S. stop breast feeding sooner than planned, and that only one out of four infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, the medically recommended duration. The Department of Defense and service military policies have been created and updated to ensure military mothers have the time, resources, and leadership support to breastfeed for six months after birth.

Military Honors Mothers, Infants by Supporting B...

Local News
Aug. 21, 2024

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that 60 percent of mothers in the U.S. stop breast...
Read More
Uniformed service member undergoes eye exam with technician in scrubs. An image of an eye chart that says "EYE HEALTH" is overlaid.

Low Vision: What it is and How You Can Function ...

Local News
Aug. 14, 2024

Service members are often exposed to a variety of hazards in combat, training, or daily activities, on and off...
Read More

Sept. 30, 2024

Military Health Expert Clarifies ‘No Pain No Gain’ Workout Myths

Department of Defense active duty service members require medical treatment for injuries almost 5 million times each year (for around 1.5 million individual injuries). Injuries cost millions of lost duty and training days, and billions of dollars each year.

Sept. 12, 2024

Defense Health Agency Medical Logistics Team Maintains Supply Chain Ensuring Quality Health Care Delivery

MEDLOG is a premier shared service provider promoting uniformity, efficiency, and joint interoperability of defense medical materiel programs and products required for Military Health System institutional and operational elements in support of the full range of military operations.

Sept. 4, 2024

Ask the Doc: What Are Ways To Protect My Mental Health?

Our mental health expert, U.S. Public Health Service Capt. Meghan Corso, chief of behavioral health clinical operations at the Defense Health Agency, answers a Dear Doc question on ways to protect your mental health.

Aug. 29, 2024

Defense Health Agency Launches New App for Providers to Assess and Treat Traumatic Brain Injury ‘Anytime, Anywhere’

Defense Health Agency develops important new tool for assessing and managing mild traumatic brain injury, also known as concussion, with the Warfighter Brain Health Provider Toolkit application.

Aug. 29, 2024

How AFMES Members Balance Duty and Community

At the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, the dedication to service transcends the lab coats and sterile environments of their daily responsibilities. These men and women are committed to something greater than themselves—both within the walls of their workplace and outside in the communities they serve.

Aug. 27, 2024

Military Health Information Technology Focus of DHITS 2024

The 2024 Defense Health Information Technology Symposium kicked off in Dallas, Texas, with Patrick (Pat) Flanders, chief information officer for the Defense Health Agency, touching on the Department of Defense’s efforts to modernize health care, providing enterprise intelligence and data solutions, and looking to the future.

Aug. 21, 2024

Military Honors Mothers, Infants by Supporting Breastfeeding

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that 60 percent of mothers in the U.S. stop breast feeding sooner than planned, and that only one out of four infants are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, the medically recommended duration. The DOD and service military policies have been created and updated to ensure military mothers have the time, resources, and leadership support to breastfeed for six months after birth.

Aug. 14, 2024

Low Vision: What it is and How You Can Function with the Right Treatment Plan

Service members are often exposed to a variety of hazards in combat, training, or daily activities, on and off duty, including situations that may affect their vision.

Aug. 9, 2024

Targeted Care for Mental Health Issues Rolling Out Across Department of Defense

Targeted care offers the right mental health resources for each individual as it begins rolling out across the Department of Defense.

Aug. 6, 2024

Burn Pit Registry Redesign Auto Enrolls Participants and Simplifies Requirements

The Department of Veterans Affairs is advancing efforts to address issues associated with military-related toxic exposure by launching a redesigned Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry.