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

December 2001 edition

FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

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

Could it really be December already? The hectic work of the season is bound to keep us busy and happily preoccupied as our nation heals. As I came into work the last week of November, someone handed me a "World Aids Day" sticker—observed December 1st. I was reminded how many public health professionals in the Department of Health and Human Services have worked so hard to educate the public on HIV/AIDS prevention. Many people don’t realize that AIDS is a woman’s issue; it is the second largest killer of African-American women of childbearing age. In this season of giving, events of September 11th have unintentionally sidetracked charitable giving that private sector AIDS relief groups have counted on for so many years. Let’s not forget all those who are suffering most this holiday season.

On December 3rd the Office on Women’s Health will celebrate its tenth anniversary with the unveiling of a Women’s Health Time Capsule to honor the progress made in women’s health in the 20th century. The anniversary celebration and Time Capsule dedication will take place at the National Institutes of Health, with more than one hundred fifty health professionals, government and private sector women’s health advocates on hand to honor a century’s worth of achievements. OWH will also release the historical document, "A Century of Women’s Health, 1900-2000" which describes the major health events of the 20th century. One hundred years ago, a woman was fortunate to live past her 48th birthday—the average lifespan for women in the nineteenth century. Through advocacy and public health initiatives, women have gained thirty years of life in this century. The time capsule contains more than 70 items that represent preventive health efforts, items that have improved women’s quality of life, information on state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment, and personal articles that demonstrate women’s continued interest in beauty and body image. You can read the historical document and view a sampling of the time capsule items at www.4woman.gov/timecapsule.

For us at the Office on Women’s Health, December is the time we gear up to give out our Women’s Health Daybook; this year’s edition is titled "Women Living Long, Living Well." It’s chock-full of information on how to stay as healthy as possible. Check below on how to get a free copy -- while supplies last!

As you plan your New Year’s Resolutions (let’s face it- most of us think about them, even if we can’t keep them!) take a look at our Ten Step Countdown for a Healthy Life in this month’s newsletter. Step # 6 says, "Play It Safe", which includes remembering to wear your seat belt. (Wearing a seat belt is non-negotiable in my household!) Since many families will choose to drive rather than fly this holiday season, this is not a bad time to remind everyone that December is National Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month.

In this season of hope and peace, I am mindful of how blessed I am to work with an amazing group of people who believe strongly in the mission of advancing the health of all American women. Like all of you, they too have had to keep going, one foot in front of the other, to continue our mission despite very frightening times. A special thanks to the communications team at OWH, as well as the NWHIC staff, for their hard work throughout this past year, the last two months in particular. If you want to learn more about the OWH staff, or the activities of our office, simply go to the NWHIC home page (www.4woman.gov) and click on the "Every Woman" logo.

For whatever holiday you celebrate, this month or any time of the year, warmest wishes from the entire staff at the Office on Women’s Health.

Carol Krause

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH INFORMATION CENTER

Each month, NWHIC will feature comments from people like you in our newsletter. These comments are sent to us through the on-line feedback form found at: http://www.4woman.gov/search/contact.cfm. We want to hear how the NWHIC web site or call center has made a difference in your health or health lifestyle! Here’s what one of our users had to say:

Hello, I am currently writing a paper on bulimia nervosa for my school psychology graduate paper in counseling. While there is a lot of useful information in journals and books, I especially found the BodyWise Handbook to be a fabulous resource. It not only has reliable information, it specifically targets adolescents, which is a critical period for school personnel to identify the disorder and implement an intervention. It is a resource I plan on handing out to my peers and taking with me on my internship!!!! Thanks

Victoria
Alexandria, VA

 

IN RESPONSE TO RECENT EVENTS

By now, everyone has heard about the effects of Anthrax and the possible side effects while taking the antibiotics. However, does your child understand what may be going on in the world around him or her? Is he or she asking questions that cause you to hesitate before answering? We want you to ease your child’s fears by helping you communicate about their concerns. Below, there are some resources that are new to our site and should be helpful for you and your family. You can also call us for more detailed information at (800) 994-9662.

For additional information, you may contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at the numbers listed below for the most up-to-date information on Anthrax, or the National Institute of Mental Health for information on mental health concerns:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
1600 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone Number(s): (800) 311-3435 Fax Number: (404) 639-7331
Web Site: http://www.cdc.gov/

National Institute of Mental Health, NIH, HHS
6001 Executive Blvd Room 8184, MSC 9663
Bethesda, MD 20892-9663
Phone Number(s): (888) 826-9438 Fax Number: (301) 443-4279
Web Site: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/

 

DECEMBER NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES

 

DECEMBER FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE

TEN STEP COUNTDOWN FOR A HEALTHY LIFE

Here are ten things you can do to help live longer, live better, and live happier:

Number 10: Be Informed. For health information you can trust from both governmental and non-governmental sources, here are two gateway information centers from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that can help: National Women's Health Information Center (www.4woman.gov) available by phone at 1-800-994-WOMAN, TDD 1-888-220-5446, and Healthfinder (www.healthfinder.gov).

Number 9: Be Good To Your Bones. For healthy bones, be sure to replenish your stock of calcium every day with plenty of foods like milk and dairy products, tofu, leafy green vegetables, canned salmon or sardines, and calcium-fortified juices or breads. Speak with your doctor about calcium supplements. (Learn more about Osteoporosis at http://www.4woman.gov/faq/osteopor.htm)

Number 8: Avoid Illegal Drugs and Alcohol. For women, the definition of moderate drinking stops at one glass. And where illicit drugs are concerned there is no such thing as "moderate" use. (For information on Substance Abuse Prevention go to http://www.samhsa.gov/centers/csap/csap.html)

Number 7: Take Medicine Wisely. Read the labels, follow the instructions carefully, and remind your doctor or pharmacist about any other medicines or supplements you might be taking that could interact with your medication. If you have any questions about possible side effects call your doctor or pharmacist. (Visit the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Tips for Taking Medications at http://www.fda.gov/fdac/reprints/medtips.html)

Number 6: Play It Safe. Avoid injuries. Buckle up. Wear a bike helmet. Use smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Wear sunscreen and UV protected sunglasses. Use street smarts and common sense. Practice safe sex. (Learn more about injury prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/)

Number 5: Get Checked. Get regular checkups, preventive exams, and immunizations. Don't forget self-exams, too. (Find out what type of preventive measures you can take to stay healthy at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001921.htm)

Number 4: Don't Smoke. It's the leading preventable cause of death in our country. (For information on how to quit smoking, go to http://www.4woman.gov/QuitSmoking/index.cfm)

Number 3: Eat Smart. It's the secret to good health. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Enjoy a variety of foods, balance foods from each food group, and exercise moderation. (For information on how to eat right go to http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2000/document/frontcover.htm)

Number 2: Get Moving. The other secret to good health: just 30 minutes of physical activity, accumulated over the course of each day, can radically improve the way you look and feel, both physically and mentally. (Check out the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Guide to Physical Activity for more information http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/phy_act.htm)

Number 1: Be Happy. Take time for yourself. Get connected with family, friends, and community. Do things you enjoy! (Visit the Food and Drug Administration’s Take Time to Care web page at http://www.fda.gov/womens/tttc.html)

The information above comes from NWHIC's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Preventive Care and Screenings. You may view the on-line version of this FAQ at: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/tenstep.htm. For more information on Preventive Care, call NWHIC at 1-800-994-9662.

All material contained in the FAQs is free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services; citation of the sources is appreciated.

 

SPANISH LANGUAGE MATERIALS

Did you know you could order Spanish Language Materials from NWHIC? Call our toll-free information center at: (800) 994-9662 and speak to a Spanish Information Specialist to learn how. Mention the "Healthy Women Today" newsletter and receive a free magnet as well as Spanish Language Material!

 

NWHIC's GUEST EDITOR ARTICLES

The Guest Editor Features this Month are:

 

NEW AND UPDATED SECTIONS

 

CLOSING THE HEALTH GAP

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and ABC Radio Networks are working together to sponsor Closing the Health Gap, a national campaign to bring the best health information to African American communities and help African American consumers take charge of their health. These health tips and resources for further information can help you get started, or continue on the road to a healthier life for you and your family. Information specialists at agencies and clearinghouses throughout the Department are ready to answer your health questions and find the help you need

For more information go to http://www.healthgap.omhrc.gov/.

NHLBI OFFERS NEW INFORMATION ON ASTHMA

The National Asthma Education and Prevention Program is please to offer parents and child care staff the "How Asthma-Friendly Is Your Child Care Center?" checklist. It is useful for determining how well their childcare setting accommodates children with asthma. The seven-item checklist in scorecard format can be used to help pinpoint specific areas that may cause problems for children with asthma. An extensive list of contacts and publications organized to address each specific area identified on the checklist is included.

The checklist is available in both English and Spanish.

Check it out at http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/emails/ast11201.htm

NEW NWHIC FAQs

Here are the latest new and revised Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) on the NWHIC web site. Click on the links below for the latest information:

 


BODY IMAGE SECTION

The Body Image Page http://www.4woman.gov/bodyimage/index.htm was also recently updated with the latest information and resources. We’ve made it user-friendlier! You can also pass a note on to a friend with a Surgeon General’s "Prescription for Health" e-card, and tell them to sign up for the "Healthy Women Today" Newsletter: http://www.4woman.gov/newsletter/index.htm

 

COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY – START EATING RIGHT TODAY!

In celebration of the holiday season, we would like to invite you to share in the tradition and festivities of eating, with your family and friends. Use these American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org) recipes to jazz up your family dinner this holiday.

Beverages:

Side Dishes:

Main Dish:

Dessert:

 

Important! Holiday Food Safety Tips from the USDA's Food Safety & Inspection Service

 

IMPORTANT NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

COMING SOON to NWHIC!!

The 2002 Women’s Health Daybook: " Women Living Long, Living Well". Call our toll-free call center at: (800) 994-9662 and mention the NEWSLETTER to reserve your FREE individual copy today, and pass the word on to your friends and family!

 

OWH NEWS, INITIATIVES & CAMPAIGNS

PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH

http://www.4woman.gov/PYPTH/index.htm
This initiative is to help women like you take simple and time-sensitive steps to improve your health. It also provides tools for local communities to promote practical, culturally relevant action steps to wellness. It’s never too late to develop a healthy lifestyle. Start with a few easy steps!

DECEMBER’S PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH THEME:
Responsible Sexual Behavior: Think Before You Act.

DECEMBER’S PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH PERSONAL ACTION STEPS:

Links for additional information on responsible sexual behavior:

Call our Information Center at: (800) 994-9662 to place your order for the free 2002 Pick Your Path to Health Pocket Calendars, Community Action Kit and Posters, while supplies last!

You can also join the PYPTH listserve for regular updates and community action steps. Visit our home page for details: http://www.4woman.gov/PYPTH/index.htm

 

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH

For publications on over 800 health topics, check out our health topic search at: http://www.4woman.gov/search/search.cfm, or call 1-800-994-WOMAN!

 

WHO IS USING NWHIC'S SERVICES?

In October, the NWHIC received 5,533,692 hits to the web site and 288,095 web-visitors!

Once again, our toll-free Information and referral line received the most calls from New York in October. Help your state become our "number one" state by encouraging your friends, colleagues and family members to call our toll-free services if they need information on women's health topics!

The most popular NWHIC web pages in October were:


Our most frequently asked topics were requests for information on: Our Daybook (Women Living Well, Living Long), Breast Cancer, Nutrition, Eating Disorders, and Breastfeeding.

 

USER SUPPORT --

LEAVING THE LIST:

To unsubscribe to this newsletter, users should send an e-mail to listserv@list.nih.gov with the following inserted as the (only) body of the message:
unsubscribe nwhic_news

The user's e-mail address and name are not sent with the unsubscribe message. One final message will be sent to the user, confirming the success of the unsubscribe command.

JOINING THE LIST:

Pass this email on to a family member or friend! Instructions for joining the HEALTHY WOMEN TODAY newsletter are available at: http://www.4woman.gov/about/listserv.htm