This week, from May 11–17, the Virginia Neonatal Perinatal Collaborative (VNPC) is joining the nation in celebrating National Women’s Health Week (NWHW) 2025! Organized and led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health, NWHW is all about raising awareness of important topics in women’s health. This year’s theme, “Prioritizing Women’s Health: Caring for Mind and Body,” emphasizes the importance of holistic health at every stage of life.
In addition to celebrating National Women’s Health Week, we are also proud to recognize National Hospital Week from May 11–17, 2025. This week is dedicated to honoring the vital role that hospitals play in our communities. At VNPC, we especially want to highlight the incredible work of Virginia’s birthing hospitals. These institutions are at the forefront of improving maternal and infant health outcomes, providing essential care and support to mothers and families. By participating in VNPC initiatives and quality improvement projects, Virginia’s birthing hospitals are helping to ensure healthier mothers, safer pregnancies, and stronger starts for families across the Commonwealth.
The VNPC is committed to improving maternal and infant health outcomes across the Commonwealth. We recognize that a woman’s health is important before, during, and after pregnancy, both for her own and her baby’s wellbeing. VNPC strives to include all Virginia birthing hospitals in a VNPC initiative or quality improvement project. By leading and supporting programs that are comprehensive and span the perinatal continuum—including perinatal mental health and improving care for mothers impacted by substance use disorder—we can help ensure healthier mothers, safer pregnancies, and stronger starts for Virginia’s families.
Although National Women’s Health Week is a great reminder of the importance of supporting the well-being of women throughout the lifespan, it is at the heart of what the VNPC does all year long. Women’s health isn’t a once-a-year issue— it’s a daily priority for us and for the many incredible organizations across Virginia working alongside us to expand access to care, improve outcomes, and empower mothers and families. From our educational summits to our resource sharing and collaborative quality improvement projects, we strive to make Virginia the healthiest state for women. We know that to do this, we cannot work alone. The VNPC supports programs that are already embedded in communities and providing services to mothers and families through the VNPC Community Fund. Through this fund, we have helped sustain programs such as community mental health support groups from Community Transformers, doula care and education from The Branches of birth, and prenatal and postpartum yoga from Diverse Birth Collective. In the spirit of Women’s Health Week, we want to sincerely thank these organizations and others like them that are helping build a stronger, healthier future for women and families in our communities every day.
National Women’s Health Week is an opportunity for all women to take proactive steps toward better health. We encourage everyone reading to take at least one step this week to promote their own health and that of the women in their lives. Here are a few tips to get you started on the road towards your best self!
- Schedule a Checkup: Regular visits with healthcare providers can help you know if your health is on the right track and find any issues early.
- Engage in Physical Activity: Get moving! Incorporating movement into your daily routine can improve both physical and mental health.
- Prioritize Mental Well-being: Mental health, just like physical health, is important to maintain. Don’t delay— get support if you need it!
- Educate Yourself: Learn about health topics relevant to your age and life stage, including menopause, cancer screenings, and pelvic floor health.
Let’s make women’s health a priority—not just this week, but every week!