§22-12D-1. Office established; purposes.

(a) The Office of Women's Health is established within the Alabama Department of Public Health for the following purposes:

(1) To educate the public and be an advocate for women's health by requesting that the State Department of Public Health, either on its own or in partnership with other entities, establish appropriate forums, programs, or initiatives designed to educate the public regarding women's health, with an emphasis on preventive health and healthy lifestyles.

(2) To assist the State Health Officer in identifying, coordinating, and establishing priorities for programs, services, and resources the state should provide for women's health issues and concerns relating to the reproductive, menopausal, and postmenopausal phases of a woman's life, with an emphasis on postmenopausal health.

(3) To serve as a clearinghouse and resource for information regarding women's health data, strategies, services, and programs that address women's health issues, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

a. Diseases that significantly impact women, including heart disease, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

b. Mental health.

c. Substance abuse.

d. Sexually transmitted diseases.

e. Sexual assault and domestic violence.

(4) To collect, classify, and analyze relevant research information and data concerning women's health conducted or compiled by either of the following:

a. The State Department of Public Health.

b. Other entities in collaboration with the State Department of Public Health.

(5) To provide interested persons with information regarding the research results, except as prohibited by law.

(6) To develop and recommend funding and program activities for educating the public on women's health initiatives and information, including the following:

a. Health needs throughout an Alabama woman's life.

b. Diseases that significantly affect Alabama women, including heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.

c. Access to health care for Alabama women.

d. Poverty and women's health in Alabama.

e. The leading causes of morbidity and mortality for Alabama women.

f. Special health concerns of minority women.

(7) To seek funding from private or governmental entities to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(8) To prepare materials for publication and dissemination to the public on women's health.

(9) To conduct public educational forums in Alabama to raise public awareness and to educate citizens about women's health programs, issues, and services.

(10) To coordinate the activities and programs of the Office of Women's Health with other entities that focus on women's health or women's issues.

(11) To provide that the State Health Officer, within his or her annual report to the Governor and the Legislature, shall include information regarding the successes of the programs of the Office of Women's Health, priorities and services needed for women's health in Alabama, and areas for improvement.

(b) The Office of Women's Health will not advocate, promote or otherwise advance abortion or abortifacients.

(Act 2002-141, p. 384, §1.)