The Actors’ Fund established the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative (PNWHI) in 1996 to provide a safety net for women in the entertainment industry coping with critical health concerns. The Women’s Health Initiative dedicates a range of resources solely to addressing the health needs and concerns specific to women, providing direct services and financial assistance to many women who are often without health insurance. In 2006, The Women’s Health Initiative helped 423 clients confront breast, cervical and ovarian cancers, domestic violence, chemical dependency, mental health issues, and other critical conditions.

The comprehensive nature of the Women’s Health Initiative’s case management approach encompasses employment, economic, and other factors that impact each client’s ability to fight for her health with maximum success. Case workers are effective at helping women deal with difficulties triggered by medical conditions and the subsequent challenges around financial, psychological and family issues, staying involved with clients on an ongoing basis and providing the support and referrals they need to best cope with these pressing issues. Counselors offer vital assistance in treatment and recovery, applying for benefits, filing insurance claims, coordinating childcare, and devising financial plans.

Support groups offered by PNWHI provide a place where women can come together to offer and receive support around issues ranging from managing chronic physical and mental health conditions to aging in the industry, and anti-violence and family issues. The Women’s HIV Outreach and Education Program offers comprehensive services for women in the entertainment industry concerned about safer sex, HIV, or other sexually transmitted diseases. In addition, the Women’s Health Initiative provides an extensive resource library, and access to a vast network of women’s health care providers, research studies, and other resources.

In 2006, PNWHI clients received social services ranging from case management, individual counseling, and assistance in applying for benefits and coordinating child care, and were provided with $180,000 in essential financial assistance.
342 mammograms and 281 gynecological exams were provided at no charge to women in “the business” without adequate health insurance at The Actors’ Fund’s Hirschfeld Free Clinic at The Aurora on West 57th Street and Tenth Avenue. BC/EFA provided $500,000 to support the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative in fiscal year 2006 – up from $400,000  in 2005.