WHEN
Women’s Health Empowerment Network
What is WHEN?
WHEN stands for Women’s Health Empowerment Network. APOPS WHEN vision was born in 2014, with intent to address shortfalls within the global pelvic organ prolapse space. Addressing lack of POP awareness, insufficient screening process, and unsufficient curriculum included at diagnostic fields of practice in women’s health providing pelvic exams are cornerstones of the WHEN vision.
APOPS community consist of patients, practitioners, research, academics, industry, and policy in 183 countries, tearing down silo walls to address shortfalls in the pelvic organ space, and advancing POP awareness, screening, practice and policy.
Over the years, WHEN has included the 2014 Nepal initiative, the 2016 StigmaStride Walkathon, the 2016 Women’s Pelvic Health Congress.
The WHEN History
Uterine prolapse is one of the leading causes of ill health and social issue for women in developing countries. APOPS WHEN initiative began as an effort to address pelvic organ prolapse needs within global developing zones where women have little access to health care. POP creates an environment of rejection for women in these zones, often from entire communities, and is common in Nepal, India, Africa and South America. Heavy lifting, return to work soon after giving birth, malnutrition, and the practice of applying pressure to the abdomen prior to and post delivery are cultural norms in Nepal that result in a high rate of uterine prolapse. Sherrie Palm traveled to Nepal in April 2014 to touch the hands and hearts of women with uterine prolapse.
The Value of Sustainable Protocol to Address Uterine Prolapse in Nepal: Health Camp, Awareness, and Employment Strategy
Sadly leadership corruption and graft are common in developing zones, disabling APOPS initial vision to address needs and guarantee secure funding distribution toward project impact, and the WHEN vision was set aside for future development.