Healthy Women Today. A Newsletter from the National Women's Health Information Center (www.4woman.gov, 1-800-994-9662). The Office on Women's Health, U S Department of Health and Human Services

April 2001 edition

FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

As a celebration of the new spring season, I am delighted to present to you our new monthly e-feature about the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC). Our award winning web site (www.4woman.gov) has helped millions of women since its launch two years ago. Many of you have asked us what kinds of health questions women are asking, what kind of information they are accessing on-line, and what new features we are presenting as a result of their input. This e-newsletter, HEALTHY WOMEN TODAY, will come to you every month loaded with lists of the month's most popular topics, announcements from our office, featured health articles, and information about the special features that have given NWHIC its unique reputation among the many health sites on the web. Remember, we are commercial-free, and have nothing to sell but good health. Enjoy!

Carol Krause

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS


Call Today, mention the HEALTHY WOMEN TODAY e-newsletter, and receive a FREE copy of NWHIC's 2001 Women's Health Weekly Organizer!! SUPPLIES ARE VERY LIMITED so call us now at 1-800-994-9662 (TDD: 1-888-220-5446). This organizer is packed with important women's health facts, tips and resources.

FOR THE MEDIA: Become one of our featured GUEST EDITORS! For more details about this free publicity opportunity go to: http://www.4woman.gov/editor/proginfo.htm.

NWHIC LAUNCHES A NEW SMOKING CESSATION WEB PAGE

A Breath of Fresh Air...Independence From Smoking

In conjunction with the March 27th Surgeon General's report on Women and Smoking, we have created a web page to help empower women and girls, and the people they love, to breathe clean! Gain independence from the stale world of smoking by using our information and resources. Learn about the Specific effects of smoking on your health and how to overcome barriers to quit. You may access the Surgeon General's report and its Executive Summary from this new web page: http://www.4woman.gov/quitsmoking/

WHAT ARE WOMEN READING ON NWHIC?

Last month, the following web pages and health topics were most frequently accessed on NWHIC:

Web Pages -

INTERESTED IN BEING A FEATURED CONSUMER OF THE MONTH?

We are looking for your personal stories about how NWHIC's services have made a difference in your health or your health lifestyle. Let us know your favorite web page or feature and why or how we have helped you live a healthier life. If your comments are chosen, we will feature you (first name and city only) in the next edition of Healthy Women Today! You can send your comments via the feedback form on http://www.4woman.gov/search/contact.cfm.

MARCH'S NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES

FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE.

"Colorectal Cancer: Risky Business for Women" by the Cancer Research Foundation of America

Colorectal cancer - cancer of the colon and rectum - is too often thought of as a disease of older, white men. The reality is that an equal number of women and men will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year. However, colorectal cancer is highly preventable, is easy to treat and often curable when detected early. No woman should die needlessly from this disease....

Read the entire article at http://www.4woman.gov/editor/Mar01/index.htm or the Spanish version at: http://www.4woman.gov/editor/Mar01/s-index.htm

IMPORTANT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Surgeon General's report on Women & Smoking released today. Read the report at: http://www.4woman.gov/quitsmoking/

Briefing on the Surgeon General's Report on Women and Smoking. Co-Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Legacy Foundation, the American Lung Association, the American Medical Women's Association, the American Medical Association, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

April 11 - 9am to noon (continental breakfast served at 8:30. )
JW Marriott Hotel,
1331 Pennsylvania Ave,
Washington , D.C.
Please RSVP by phone (202-745-5118) or by e-mail to: briefings@gyhllc.com.

COMING SOON to NWHIC!! - health information for girls, ages 14-18

The National Cancer Institute is looking for 150 enthusiastic and committed individuals to represent the views of cancer survivors and family members in their programs and activities. NCI needs you to take part in one or more projects from home and/or in the Washington, DC area. Your role may include: developing and reviewing cancer education materials; participating in meetings to voice opinions about cancer research plans and policies; and evaluating patient-oriented research at cancer research centers. For more information and an application, please visit: http://liaison.cancer.gov/CARRA

Scholarship Opportunity for Women with Disabilities - The ELA Foundation is announcing their annual scholarship for women with disabilities who are pursuing a graduate degree at any college or university in the United States. The application procedure and form can be found on the ELA website at http://www.ela.org under Grants/Scholarships. All applications must be received by June 15, 2001. The ELA Foundation will be awarding two scholarships worth $2000 in August, 2001. The scholarship money is contingent upon the winner's acceptance to or continuation in an accredited college or university graduate school program and will be made payable to the educational institution for tuition. Additional information on the ELA Foundation can be found on the web site at http://www.ela.org.

For more "What's New" and Announcements go to: http://www.4woman.gov/new.htm

OWH NEWS, INITIATIVES & CAMPAIGNS


HHS BLUEPRINT FOR ACTION ON BREASTFEEDING - The Surgeon General has released the first comprehensive blueprint to increase breastfeeding rates. "Low breastfeeding rates documented in the Blueprint for Action is a serious public health challenge, particularly in certain minority communities," said David Satcher, M.D., U.S. Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary for Health. "With scientific evidence indicating that breastfeeding can play an important role in an infant's health, the time has come for us to work together to promote optimal breastfeeding practices." The Blueprint for Action promotes a plan for breastfeeding based on education, training, awareness, support and research. Read the Blueprint and find other information and resources on NWHIC's breastfeeding page at: http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/index.htm

PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH

The Pick Your Path to Health Campaign


MARCH Theme - Obesity: Aim for a healthy weight.

Personal Action Steps:

FOR YOUR HEART

The facts surrounding women and heart disease can be frightening to think about. The good news is that many of the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) can be changed and avoided to prevent premature death or unwanted complications. That's why we developed the "For Your Heart" web site. By continuing on, you will be escorted through a short, confidential survey of questions about your health and lifestyle. Based on your answers, we'll provide you with a series of articles detailing the latest information on exercise, nutrition, smoking, diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure and other factors that affect you and your risk for heart disease - all tailored to your needs. We've designed a personalized web site because we believe you're better equipped to make changes to improve your health and quality of life when you receive materials that speak to you and your unique health concerns. http://www.4woman.gov/hhs/

NWHIC'S FEATURED WEB SECTIONS

COMING SOON to NWHIC!! - health information for girls, ages 14 -18.

Frequently Asked Questions About Women's Health - http://www.4woman.gov/faq/index.htm

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH


Colorectal Cancer: Let's Break the Silence - http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/screenforlife/pdf/CCSilencebrochure.pdf

What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Colon and Rectum - http://cancer.gov/cancerinfo/wyntk/colon-and-rectum

Frequently Asked Questions About Kidney Disease - http://www.4woman.gov/faq/Easyread/kidney-etr.htm

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers on Eye Donation and Corneal Transplantation - http://www.restoresight.org/general/faqs.htm

USER SUPPORT

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JOINING THE LIST:

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