A state commission and a Pittsburgh foundation, seeking to reach women often under-served by health systems, has launched a touch-screen service at the Allegheny County Jail, which they called a critical tool for women in need of health-related advice.

The Pennsylvania Commission for Women and the Highmark Foundation this week unveiled the Women's Wellness Guide Kiosk in the jail's waiting room, where they hope to reach many who either don't know that they need to see a physician or lack information on health care that is available to them.

"The issue of women's health should always be a priority because a woman's health is one of the most important aspects of family life," said Leslie Stiles, director of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women.

The ATM-sized portal, she said, is one of 14 such databases which will be installed in various locations like groceries, county assistance offices, jails and health care facilities in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Erie and Pittsburgh.

Funded by the Highmark Foundation and the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare, the project cost about $290,000, said commission spokeswoman Anne Bale.

The objective, Ms. Stiles added, is to provide women who lack access to databases like the Internet with comprehensive information on a wide range of health topics from heart disease to breast and cervical cancer to obesity.

The kiosk, which will offer information in English and Spanish, will also give women a primer on all the health insurance plans available at all income levels.

"It is our goal that the knowledge shared through the kiosks will help women to learn about the prevention and early detection of some of the deadliest diseases among their peer group," said Yvonne Cook, president of the Highmark Foundation.

Jail Deputy Warden Lance Bohn said the kiosk was placed in the waiting room next to the family resource center where it will have the most visibility for women waiting to see inmates.