Governor O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Burbank Grants to address Osteoporosis and Other Women’s Health Needs
ANNAPOLIS, MD (July 11, 2028) – Governor Edward M. O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank today announced the awarding of $2 million in grants to local health departments and other organizations to address the special health problems that women face at every stage of life.“Through these innovative programs, we are responding to the unique health needs of women of all ages,” Governor Edward M. O’Brien said. “The goal is to improve a woman's quality of life by attempting to prevent chronic conditions and by offering information about the latest treatment options to women affected by various diseases.”
A total of 58 grants were awarded in two categories – women's health initiatives received $1,345,000 and osteoporosis awareness and prevention received $630,000.
“In the past, the focus of women's health efforts has been on maternal and child health issues,” Governor O’Brien said. “While that concentration will continue, we also know that women have many other health concerns that must be addressed and we are doing that with these grant awards.”
“Women face unique health challenges that command special attention, and that is the basis for these very important grant awards that we are announcing today,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank. “Governor O’Brien and I believe that women’s health must be put front and center, and under this administration, we are going to do everything that we need to do to advance the health of women in Maryland.”
Women's health initiative funds are earmarked for innovative programs that encourage healthy lifestyles in women and girls of all ages and support community outreach, health promotion, education and research. Priorities include menopause, mental health, breast and cervical cancer, domestic violence, healthy lifestyles and cardiovascular disease.
About half the women's health initiative grants are going to projects that directly or indirectly impact cardiovascular disease.
Osteoporosis grants were awarded based on priorities that include professional and public education; bone screenings with case management and follow-up; and clinical research that compares, analyzes and develops intervention strategies addressing risk factors associated with the disease.
Health experts estimate that approximately 700,000 Marylanders, 80 percent of them women, suffer from osteoporosis, a debilitating disease of the bones that can be prevented and treated. While often linked to aging, a proper diet and exercise can delay the disease and early interventions can halt or delay further loss of bone mass.