May 2002 edition
FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
National Women's Health Week is here! How are YOU celebrating? This special week begins on Mother's Day, May 12th. Check out our calendar of events around the nation and learn how to add your event at (http://www.4woman.gov/WHW/2002/submit-an-event.htm).
OWH is celebrating National Women's Health Week (NWHW) with a ceremony and dedication of the Women's Health Time Capsule to be buried on the grounds of the National Institutes of Health on May 14th. See http://www.4woman.gov/TimeCapsule/ for more information. The Time Capsule is also the topic in our Guest Editor section this month as we feature an article in Ladies Home Journal (http://www.4woman.gov/editor/may02/).
Last month, the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC), provided tips to promote awareness for NWHW. These tips (http://www.4woman.gov/WHW/) offer a wealth of information and resources to get your community involved on a local level. We have heard from many state governors mayors, and tribal leaders who are issuing special proclamations to honor Women's Health Week. Is yours? You can find out at: http://www.4woman.gov/WHW/proclamations.htm.
By now you may know that NWHW is a national alliance of people and organizations to raise awareness about steps ALL women can take to improve their health. You don't need sweeping changes all at once in your life; take it one step at a time. Are you part of a group that faces special health challenges, such as African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native women? Are you pregnant? Do you deal with a physical or mental disability? Do you have concerns about your body image? Take some time to "surf" NWHIC for special sections on health issues facing that affect you, and much, much more. Anyone can take small steps to a healthier life.
With so much going on at NWHIC and OWH, 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 & state only) in the next edition of Healthy Women Today! You can send your comments via the feedback form on www.4woman.gov. As always, NWHIC is a work in progress, and we want to hear from you!
Now that beautiful weather has arrived, remember to take a walk during lunch or after dinner this spring. All you need is 30 minutes, 3 - 4 times a week. If you can't take a 30 minute walk, make it 10 or 20 minutes. Anything is better than nothing! Studies have shown that regular, moderate exercise can reduce your risks of heart disease and high blood pressure. To learn how to start your own neighborhood walking program, go to: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/nutrit/walking/walkingbro/walking.htm.
For those of you who will be with your mother this Mother's Day, take a moment to feel grateful she is still in your life, even if she still knows how to "push those buttons" once in awhile! Once a mother, always a mother! My children are not yet grown but I imagine it must be difficult to completely cut those apron strings. As for my own mother, she died of ovarian cancer at the age of 56 when I was 22. That was back in the 1970's and my sisters and I were convinced by the time we were her age, there would be a cure for this insidious cancer. Not so . . . but we are making progress inch by inch. On NWHIC we link to all the best resources on female cancers; check out our "Frequently Asked Questions" or do a topic search on the kind of cancer that concerns you. Early detection is everything.
So, being motherless . . . how do I celebrate Mother's Day? Usually with a damp piece of cold toast and lukewarm tea, proudly made by my children and delivered to me in bed. I wouldn't have it any other way. My mother was always beautiful in thought and spirit, and I wish my kids could have known her. However, as I listen to my own words and actions as I try to guide them through our daily routines, I realize that she is alive and well, influencing them every day.
If you have no children in your life, focus on Women's Health Week by taking care of yourself, and remember the positive ways you influence your world every day. If you are a woman, someone is relying on you for help, strength, wisdom, counsel, love, nurturing, and intelligence in a crisis. Stay strong for yourself, and for those who need you.
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 more about NWHW, go to our "Monthly Health Article Feature," listed below.
In celebration of National Women's Health Week, Lifetime Television has created a special public service announcement that will air from May 12-18, and Lifetimetv.com features extensive content on how people can get involved. For more information, go to www.lifetimetv.com. Lifetime Television and Lifetimetv.com are dedicated to informing and supporting women on the issues important to them and their families, including women's health. We are proud to have them as a partner.
2002 Young Women's Health Summit: The 2002 National Young Women's Health Summit sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health will be held in Washington, DC, July 31st through August 3rd. Applications are being accepted through May 15th for sponsored attendees, mentors and parents!
The goals of the Summit are to foster the development of community based health awareness programs through the efforts of young women, mentors, parents and local community groups. These educational sessions will alert young women to positive self, family and community health promotion activities that will lead to healthy behaviors and a health conscious nation. To learn more, visit: http://www.4woman.gov/nwhic/current/calendar/YWHS/2002/.
National Leadership Summit to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health, July 10-12, Washington, DC - REGISTRATION OPEN: The Office of Minority Health (OMH)/U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the National Leadership Summit to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health, scheduled for July 10-12, 2002, in Washington, DC.
The Leadership Summit seeks to draw national attention to the existence of health disparities and to innovative approaches being implemented at the local, State, Federal and Tribal levels. Registration will be limited to 2,500 individuals on a first registered first admitted basis. Additional information on registration, exhibiting, sponsorship and submitting an application for a poster session is available at: http://www.summit.omhrc.gov or 1-888-516-5599.
In observance of High Blood Pressure Education Month, the National High Blood Pressure Education Program of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is offering free high blood pressure education materials, including reproducible handouts and factsheets, recipes based on the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, activities, media tools, and mortality maps to help you compare your community to surrounding areas. These items are available at: http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhbpep_kit.
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/w1b/show/NCT00001848?order=1&JServSes.
To learn more about this offer please call our information center at: 1-800-994-9662.
MAY FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE
National Women's Health Week Fact Sheet
What is National Women's Health Week?
National Women's Health Week is a national effort by an alliance of organizations to raise awareness about manageable steps women can take to improve their health. The focus is on the importance of incorporating simple preventative and positive health behaviors into everyday life. It encourages awareness about key health issues among all women, and especially African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic American, and American Indian/Alaska Native women, since recent research has shown there are significant health disparities among these groups compared to white women.
When is National Women's Health Week?
The week will start Mother's Day and end on the following Saturday, a time when there is much attention already being focused on women. We will celebrate the 3rd annual National Women's Health Week May 12-18, 2002.
Where is National Women's Health Week?
Across America-in communities, neighborhoods, towns, cities, counties, the Internet, job sites, places of worship, recreation centers and wherever people choose to celebrate the role of good health practices in the lives of women.
Who participates in National Women's Health Week?
National women's groups, local and national health organizations, businesses, social service agencies, and others will participate in a national education campaign aimed at increasing awareness of the week and its goals. In short, it will include anyone who wants to help make women's health a top priority. Founding partners of National Women's Health Week hope that each year it is celebrated more groups will join in a groundswell of activity that will lead to healthier women and a healthier America.
Why celebrate National Women's Health Week?
When women take even the simplest steps to improve their health, the results can be significant. But women need to be able to choose the most effective steps for their individual lifestyles and circumstances. They need to be informed and take responsible actions to improve their own health. For example, heart disease is the number one killer of all women, but for Asian/Pacific Islander women, cancer is the number one cause of death. When it comes to lung cancer, however, white women have the highest mortality rate from lung cancer among all women. At the same time, African American women have the highest mortality rates from heart disease of all women. Stroke is the third leading cause of death for American women, but it occurs at a higher rate among African American and Hispanic American women compared with white women. These differences show the importance of taking appropriate health actions based on individual backgrounds and risk factors.
How can your business or group get involved in National Women's Health Week?
The founding partners have planned a series of activities for the week, many of which can be exported to local businesses and groups. For more information, contact the National Women's Health Information Center at (800) 994-WOMAN, or visit our web site at http://www.4woman.gov.
GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR MAY, 2002
The Featured Health Article on NWHIC's Web site this month is:
"Women's Health Time Capsule." Our featured article comes to us from Myrna Blyth, Editor-in-Chief and Publishing Director of Ladies Home Journal Magazine. To read this article, please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/editor/may02/.
NEW AND UPDATED SECTIONS
New Web Page - Breastfeeding "Best for Baby, Best for Mom!" -
Are you currently breastfeeding or do you know someone who is? This new web section
focuses on the benefits of breastfeeding, provides basic information on how to breastfeed,
how to cope with challenges and where to go for more help. To learn more about
breastfeeding go to: http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/.
Frequently Asked Questions About Early Stage Breast Cancer: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/earlybc.htm.
COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!
Are you looking to add a little variety to your family dinners these days? Why not try one
of the following recipes from the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute's (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/index.htm)
"Stay Young at Heart" series? These heart-healthy recipes offer an assortment of
textures, colors, and aromas that will spice up any meal. A single copy of this recipe
packet may be ordered from the URL provided, free of charge. Start eating heart-healthier
tonight!
Entrees:
Fish Veronique:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/fishvero.htm
Chicken Marsala:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/chickmar.htm
Black Skillet Beef with Greens and Red Potatoes:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/bsbwgrp.htm
Pasta:
Sweet and Sour Seashells:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/ssseashl.htm
Red Hot Fusilli:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/rhfusill.htm
Sunshine Rice:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/sunshric.htm
Vegetables:
Wonderful Stuffed Potatoes:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/wspotato.htm
Italian Vegetable Bake:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/itvegbak.htm
Green Beans Sauté:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/grebeasa.htm
Dessert:
Crunchy Pumpkin Pie:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/crpumpie.htm
Mousse a la Banana:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/banamous.htm
Carrot Raisin Bread:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/caraibre.htm
OWH NEWS, INITIATIVES & CAMPAIGNS
Women's Health Across the Nation: March 28, 2002 - Three Hundred (300) staff from
Region VI DHHS and the Social Security Administration (SSA) offices came together to
celebrate " 2002 Healthy People, Healthy Communities," in a physical fitness
expo event. The focus of this event was to encourage all Federal employees to be
physically fit, and to join us in our yearlong fitness team campaign. Using the "100
Mile Campaign template," each employee (voluntarily) was encouraged to select an
activity(s) that involves thirty minutes of an approved exercise, and perform that
activity each day and throughout the year to be more physically fit. Each activity will be
worth exactly one mile. Some activities included swimming, biking, walking, horseback
riding, golf, basketball, etc. The employee goal will be to reach 100 miles or more by
this time next year. This 100-mile campaign gave everyone the chance to sign up with
either the DHHS Tommy Thompson Fitness Team or the Social Security Administration--Super
Strong Athletes Team.
PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH (http://www.4woman.gov/PYPTH/) - This initiative is designed to help women take simple and time-sensitive steps to improve their 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 Posters and Community Action Kits are still available by calling NWHIC now at 1-800-994-9662.
MAY'S PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH THEME - Mental Health: Lower Your Stress
- Make a commitment to relax - sit back, take a load off and don't feel guilty.
- Keep smiling!
- Sign up for that class you've always wanted to take: art, exercise, writing, or computer. It's your choice!
- Focus on what makes you happy - and do more of it.
Links for additional information on mental health and stress reduction:
Frequently Asked Questions - Stress:
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/stress.htm
How Stress Affects the Body (Copyright © The Philip Lief Group, Inc. and AMWA)
http://www.amwa-doc.org/publications/WCHealthbook/stressamwa-ch09.html
Helping Teenagers with Stress (Copyright © AACAP):
http://www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/66.htm