NCCHC Board Member Discusses Women’s Health Issues for Fibroids Awareness Month

Andrea Knittel, PhD, MD, liaison to the NCCHC Board of Representatives from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, was interviewed on CLO CHATS, under the auspices of the Fibroids Agenda Fund. In the interview, Dr. Knittel discusses gynecological care in corrections and the complex experiences Black women may have accessing health care in corrections and in the community. Dr. Knittel stresses the importance of communication with patients and having an understanding of the historic barriers to care for many incarcerated women. She describes how many of her patients believe that hysterectomies are the only solution for their concerns and how she works to educate them on other options and how she shares this approach with her students. Dr. Knittel also advocates for public health conversations about menstrual care and supplies to include the incarcerated.

Dr. Knittel is the medical director for Incarcerated Women’s Health at UNC Health. In her role, Dr. Knittel coordinates obstetric and gynecologic services for people incarcerated through the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections.

July is Fibroids Awareness Month. The interview is available on YouTube .