Communication
Plan members may know about frequently used coverage like drugs and dental. But they may not be aware of specific coverage that can support women’s health. This is especially so if you’ve added new benefits to help address any gaps in coverage.
Communication is critical. Here are some strategies and best practices that can help.
Take a multi-channel approach.
To ensure information reaches all plan members, multiple communication touchpoints can help.
- Send company-wide emails (preferably from business leaders) highlighting available women's health benefits and resources.
- Create dedicated intranet pages or employee portals with detailed information.
- Include women's health topics in company newsletters or internal publications.
- Post flyers or posters in common areas like breakrooms to raise awareness.
You’ll also want keep communication going throughout the year. After the initial communications campaign, send periodic reminders about available resources and how to access them. You can also tie different aspects of women's health support to relevant awareness days, weeks and months.
Reduce stigma through open dialogue.
You can raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with many women’s health issues through open dialogue. This dialogue can take many forms, such as:
- Hosting town halls or Q&A sessions where employees can ask questions.
- Creating employee resource or peer support groups, such as those experiencing menopause or returning to work from parental leave.
- Encouraging leadership to openly support and discuss women's health initiatives.
Provide training and education.
Train managers and Human Resources staff to effectively communicate about women's health resources. You can also offer lunch-and-learn sessions featuring health experts. In addition, you can develop education pieces – print or video – on topics related to women’s health. These might include pieces on:
- Mental health
- Heart health
- Reproductive health
- Menopause
Ensure information is clear and accessible.
Ensure that information about women's health benefits is easily accessible and understandable. This might include:
- Providing concise summaries of relevant coverage in your benefits materials.
- Creating FAQs addressing common questions about women's health benefits.
- Developing and distributing checklists for women to leverage with their healthcare professionals. Many organizations, like the , have these readily available on their websites.
Get feedback.
Employee feedback is crucial for determining whether your strategies are working to improve women’s health awareness and supports. You can do this by conducting surveys or using focus groups to gather in-depth insights on communication effectiveness.