PERRY COUNTY — The Perry County Health Department in Pinckneyville is one of 14 organizations across Illinois receiving part of $350,000 in competitive grant funding that will be used to develop plans to increase the number of women in their community to obtain a wellness check.

The health department will receive a grant for $22,429.

State health officials say while each community is different, plans to increase well-woman visits may include removing obstacles to seeking care, delineating what services are available and identifying opportunities to educate underserved women about the importance of wellness visits.

The goal is to increase the percent of women ages 18-44 years with a preventive medical visit in the past year.  For women of reproductive age, these visits should include discussion of a reproductive life plan and identification of activities to achieve optimal health prior to pregnancy.

During 2016, 69.2 percent of women ages 18-44 years had a well woman visit in the past year, translating to 7 in 10 Illinois women. A variety of factors impact a woman’s ability to receive care including cost, availability of providers, transportation, competing priorities, and health literacy (understanding the importance of preventive care and knowing how to navigate the health care system).