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 2002 edition

FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

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

Who doesn't love spring? Longer days, warmer days, better moods. April 7th is the day that the entire world "springs ahead" one hour, in an effort to save daylight hours. How will you take advantage of it? In my household, it means shooting hoops in the driveway at day's end. Why not start a spring tradition with your family or friends; play frisbee after dinner, work in the garden, dust off your bikes, and most of all get moving! No, I haven't forgotten about those of you who must see spring through watery eyes and runny noses.

Here in Washington, DC, the trees are blooming and the tulips are popping up in places around the National Mall (as in monuments, not shopping!). At the Office on Women's Health, we are preparing for our third annual National Women's Health Week celebration, which begins on Mother's Day next month. This is a whole week dedicated to reminding American women to take better care of themselves, something we forget to do while we are taking care of everyone else. Check out our Women's Health Week web page which, (http://www.4woman.gov/WHW/) lists great activities in just about every state. Let's celebrate our lives together.

Don't forget that the National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids, Seventh Annual "Kick Butts Day" (http://tobaccofreekids.org) is celebrated April 3rd. Did you know that 3,000 children become smokers every day in this country? Take special time out to talk with your children, and let them know there is no negotiation on the issue of smoking. It is bad for them, period. They need to know they are likely to become addicted for the rest of their lives. Tell them that of the 136,688 kids that began smoking this year, 45,563 will eventually die of their addiction. This may very well be one the most important conversations you have with your kids! What about you? Are you a smoker who started as a teenager and can't kick the habit? You can find the Breath of Fresh Air link (http://www.4woman.gov/QuitSmoking/) on our home page. Learn more about how to conquer the obstacles to quitting.

As the nation moves forward, it is important to take action in the areas of our lives over which we have some control. First and foremost, that is our health; what we eat, how we exercise, and how we find ways to manage stress. Make the doctor's appointment you have been avoiding; get a massage; or buy that pair of walking shoes you have been considering at the mall. Take a deep breath and enjoy the colors and scents of spring.

Carol Krause, Director of Communications, Office on Women's Health, DHHS

 

IMPORTANT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This year, National Women's Health Week (NWHW) is celebrated the week of Mother's Day (May 12th-18th). Look for a listing of National Women's Health Week (May 12th -18th) activities on our web site at: http://www.4woman.gov/WHW/. Women's Health Week is a national initiative, supported by an alliance of women's health organizations in an effort to raise awareness of basic preventative steps women, can take and incorporate into their everyday lives. To learn how to involve your community in NWHW, go to our "Monthly Health Article Feature," listed below.

2002 DAYBOOK NOW AVAILABLE ON CD-Rom - Looking to order the" Women Living Long, Living Well 2002 Daybook" in bulk for your organization, clients, or an upcoming health fair? Did you know that it is available on a free CD-Rom to be mass-produced by a commercial printing facility?

By producing this daybook, you would raise awareness of monthly health events, provide an excellent incentive for patients attending health screenings and health fairs, as well as receive credit for sponsoring the 2002 Women's Health Daybook. Please note that the CD-Rom is a professional print document, and cannot be printed from office printers. To print the daybook from your home or office computer, please go to the following URL: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/2002Daybook.pdf.

Endometriosis Pelvic Pain Relief Study

The National Institutes of Health invites women with endometriosis to take part in a pain relief study of the drug Raloxifene (EvistaT). Call 1-800-411-1222 (TTY# 1-866-411-1010). Learn more by going to the following URL:http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/c/w1r/show/NCT00001848?order=1&JServSessionIdzone_ct=cjbx5zp6u1

To learn more about this offer please call our information center at: 1-800-994-9662.

 

April FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE


10 Ways to Celebrate

National Women's Health Week

(May 12th - 18th)

Looking forward to participating in your own National Women's Health Week (NWHW) event this year? Below, we have offered 10 ideas and resources to get your church, community, the public and the media involved in your celebration of NWHW. Many of these resources are located under the Pick Your Path to Health (PYPTH) Initiative located on NWHIC's web page: http://www.4woman.gov/PYPTH/.

  1. Hold a kickoff event announcing NWHW in your community. Invite the mayor, other community leaders, health educators, the media, and the public.

  2. Organize community activities such as free cholesterol, blood pressure, depression, hearing and bone density screenings. Incorporate the use of NWHIC's "Frequently Asked Questions" publications on a variety of women's health concerns located at: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/ (Note: these are available to be reproduced as needed).

  3. Incorporate women's health lectures and discussions into health education programs at senior centers, health departments, and other community meeting places during the week. Use the NWHW Factsheet: http://www.4woman.gov/whw/2002/factsheet.htm to draw attention to your event.

  4. Sponsor a wellness walk/jog and provide participants with free health information. Call 1-800-994-WOMAN and ask about free resources to hand out. The National Institute of Diabetes Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has an excellent publication on starting a walking program in your community, titled "Walking: Sisters Together - Move More, Eat Better": http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/pubs/walksis.htm

  5. Ask local churches and other faith-based organizations to talk about National Women's Health Week from the pulpit and to include information about it in the church flyers/newsletters. Call 1-800-994-WOMAN and ask about free resources to hand out.

  6. Hold a town hall meeting on a major women's health issue and broadcast it via satellite to communities across the nation.

  7. Ask your City Council to issue a resolution regarding NWHW, alert the media, and invite community members to the signing.

  8. Plan a health fair and include healthy cooking and fitness demonstrations. The National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (NHLBI), is one of many organizations that offers healthy recipes. Read "Stay Young at Heart - Cooking the Heart Health Way" for ideas on preparing healthier meals: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/index.htm.

  9. Ask the local college or university to host a women's health symposium to update physicians and other health care professionals on recent research in the field of women's health. Work with them to identify topics and speakers. NWHIC can provide a variety of fact sheets available through the http://www.4woman.gov web site.

  10. Encourage your local newspapers or school districts to sponsor essay, poetry, oratory, and/or poster contests on NWHW asking young people to explain why it is important to stay healthy. The Office in Women's Health has published, "Women's Health Issues - An Overview" which can provide basic information on women's health for students: http://www.4woman.gov/owh/pub/womhealth issues/.

 

GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR APRIL, 2002


The Featured Health Article on NWHIC's Web site this month is:

"Postpartum Depression Incident, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Treatment and Resources." Our featured article comes to us from Diana Cheng M.D., Medical Director, Women's Health, Center for Child and Maternal Health, DHMH.

Postpartum depression is not a rare disorder - it affects one out of every ten mothers after delivery. Unfortunately, most of these women never get help.

To read this article, please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/editor/apr02/

 

NEW AND UPDATED SECTIONS


NWHIC has recently added new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to our publication list. They are:

 

COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!


Now that the weather is getting warmer, we're always looking for fun ways to spend more time with our children. These recipes, from the American Heart Association (http://www.americanheart.org) provide suggestions for easy ideas to spice up your meals. Not only are you preparing tasty, low salt, high fiber dishes, but getting your children to assist in "making" dinner too.

Breakfast:

Lunch:

Dinner:

Dessert:


OWH NEWS, INITIATIVES & CAMPAIGNS

 

COMING SOON -The Prevention Guide: "A Lifetime to Good Health, Your Guide to Staying Healthy." This attractive, easy to read, comprehensive guide offers basic information that every adult woman should know in order to lead a healthier life. It is chock-full of recommended screening and immunization charts and provides additional tips on topics such as maintaining a healthy pregnancy, healthy lungs and healthy eyes, just to name a few. You can order your copy now by calling NWHIC at 1-800-994-9662, and we will mail your copy as soon as it becomes available.

 

PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH (http://www.4woman.gov/PYPTH/) - This initiative is designed 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! The new Pick Your Path to Health Pocket Planners are available by calling NWHIC now at 1-800-994-9662. These are free, and available in two versions: Asian American/ Pacific Islander and African American.

APRIL'S PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH THEME - Alcohol Use: Know Your Limits

Links for additional information on alcohol use and abuse:

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/

 

APRIL NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES

 

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 1-800-994-9662!

PUBLIC COMMENTS ABOUT the NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH INFORMATION CENTER


Each month, NWHIC would like to feature comments from people like you in our newsletter. These comments are sent to us through the on-line feedback form found at: 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!

 

WHO IS USING NWHIC'S SERVICES?


This month, Georgia produced the most calls to our toll-free Information and Referral line. 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 February were:

Our most frequently asked health topics were requests for information on: Prevention, Menopause, Women's Health and Breast Cancer.

 

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