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

June 2002 edition

FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

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

Soon it will be hot, the neighborhood pools will be filled with splashing children, and it's time to plan a summer getaway. So let's get the nagging out of the way first. Are you wearing sunblock every day (look for a kind that goes well under your makeup if necessary)? What about your sunglasses? Be sure to wear them, and only buy them if they have protection against UV rays. Even if you work in a big building and only plan to go out for lunch, that hour eating your sandwich sitting in the sun could do a lot of damage. Are you getting the recommended 30 minutes of moderate physical activity 3 - 4 times a week? It's as easy as spending an afternoon gardening, biking or even just walking! Be creative and involve the entire family. Plan to visit friends or the older members of your family and take them on a walk. Buy lots of fresh summer produce; mix some berries with non-fat yogurt and give yourself a healthy treat. And all summer long, drink lots of water.

On a serious note: if you are a jogger, please be careful about jogging alone in isolated or dark places. In the Washington, DC area there have been quite a few cases of assault, sexual assault and even murder on some of our most beautiful jogging paths through wooded parks. Do you know about crimes against women joggers in your area? It might be a good idea to check with your local police department so they can let you know which areas might not be safe.

Now that the nagging is over, let me tell you about this issue of HEALTHY WOMEN TODAY. We are highlighting Men's Health Week (June 10-16), with our "What About Men's Health" (http://www.4woman.gov/mens/index.cfm) page. Don't forget Father's Day on June 16. Since women tend to be the main caregivers of men, it's a good time to learn about the leading men's health concerns. Help the man in your life do a self-check for skin cancer; be particularly aware of places he can't see well...especially his back. In men, melanoma (the deadliest of skin cancers) is most commonly found on their backs. In women, the most common spot is the legs. This reflects the places men and women forget to use sun block. So if you suspect the man in your life needs a checkup, don't take "no" for an answer.

If your workload is a bit less this summer, it's a good time to get your vision checked. While older adults have more eye problems than younger people, many of them can be prevented or corrected if caught early, including eye problems related to conditions like diabetes. If you are at higher risk for eye disease, your health care provider will talk with you about how often you need exams. The following schedule for vision exams is recommended for all adults at an average risk for eye diseases or conditions.

Guideline for Vision Exams with Your Eye Care Provider:

Any chance you will be pregnant this summer? Read below about our updated page on breastfeeding (the best nutrition for your baby) and the Food and Drug Administration's new Pregnancy Registry that can inform you about medications and pregnancy. If you are expecting a little one, make plans to stay cool in the summer heat. (Trust me on this!)

This summer I will be taking a vacation at home. Both kids will be off to camp, just the whole concept of sleeping in is heavenly. That is my wish for all of you this summer; just a restful day or two. Promise me you will make it happen.

Until the next edition ...

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

IMPORTANT NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS


National Women's Health Week (NWHW): This year, 47 states, 75 cities, 6 Tribes and the District of Columbia issued proclamations for NWHW 2002 turning it into a major success. The commemoration of NWHW was broadcasted over satellite, television and radios in more than 150 events nationwide. You may view your state, city or tribal proclamation at: http://www.4woman.gov/WHW/2002/summary.htm. The proclamations declared May 12th - 18th, National Women's Health Week and almost every state sponsored women's health events. If you missed it, check out the calendar of events for more information: http://www.4woman.gov/WHW/calendar-start.cfm?StateSort=Yes.

2002 Young Women's Health Summit,
July 31 - August 3, Washington DC: The 2002 National Young Women's Health Summit is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health.

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/index.htm

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.

HHS LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO "TAKE TIME TO CARE ABOUT DIABETES:" Free Risk Assessments for Women Offered in 10 Cities.

On May 2, 2002, HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson launched a nationwide campaign to raise women's awareness about diabetes, a serious condition that affects more than 17 million Americans, more than half of them women. The main tools of the campaign -- diabetes-related brochures, wallet-sized calendars, and cards with recipes for nutritious meals -- will be distributed in grocery stores and pharmacies in the 10 cities: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Indianapolis and Philadelphia. The brochures are being provided in English and Spanish.

Additional information about the "Take Time to Care" campaign is available on a newly created web site http://www.fda.gov/womens/taketimetocare/diabetes. The site provides information about the campaign and diabetes and is being linked to the web sites of all the partners and HHS agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Men's Health Network sponsors "National Men's Health Week" June 10th - 16th: The purpose of Men's Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. This week gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. Men's Health is a family issue! Learn more at: http://www.menshealthweek.org.

Office of Women's Health, FDA Launches the Guide to Pregnancy Registry: In order to assist women in making educated decisions regarding the use of medication during pregnancy, it is necessary to determine the effect of these medicines on the unborn baby. Pregnancy registries are one way to do this. If you are pregnant and currently taking medicine--or used any medication during your pregnancy--you may be able to participate and help in the collection of this needed information. Learn more about Pregnancy Registries at: http://www.fda.gov/womens/registries/default.htm. You can also find general information on having a Healthy Pregnancy at: http://www.4woman.gov/Pregnancy/index.htm.

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

JUNE FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BLEEDING DISORDERS


A bleeding disorder exists when it is hard for a person to stop bleeding. When a person bleeds, the blood clots, stopping the bleeding. The clotting process, also called coagulation, changes blood from a liquid to a solid state. It takes both blood cells (called platelets) and proteins (called clotting factors) for blood to clot properly. When a person has a bleeding disorder, the blood platelets are not working like they should, or there are not enough platelets or clotting factors in the blood. This causes a person to bleed for longer periods of time than normal. Bleeding disorders tend to run in families and can be hard to detect in women. These disorders can be controlled, so a person can have a healthy and full life.

To read this FAQ in its entirety, please visit: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/bleed.htm.

NEW AND UPDATED SECTIONS


Test Your Women's Health Knowledge: Do you consider yourself health savvy? Try our new Women's Health Quiz and find out how knowledgeable you really are and learn something new and interesting: http://www.4woman.gov/quiz/index.cfm

Updated - Violence Against Women Section: The statistics of violence against women in this country are staggering. It is a leading cause of injury for American women between the ages of 15 and 54. Our updated site provides abused women and their loved ones with resources and information they can use to get help. Learn more by visiting: http://www.4woman.gov/violence/index.htm

NWHIC has also updated the following Frequently Asked Questions publications (FAQs):

New Web Page - Breastfeeding "Best for Baby, Best for Mom!" - Are you currently breastfeeding, preparing to breastfeed 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, go to: http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/index.htm. Also visit our Healthy Pregnancy page at: http://www.4woman.gov/Pregnancy/index.htm

GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR JUNE 2002

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

"Managing a Chronic Illness." Our featured article comes to us from Carolyn Weller, R.N., National Director of Education for the Scleroderma Foundation.

To read this article, please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/editor/jun02/

COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!

Tired of eating heavy winter meals? Try these new summer recipes from the American Heart Association's, Delicious Decisions web site (http://www.deliciousdecisions.org). This site offers not only tantalizing, low calorie, reduced fat recipes, but also includes tips on "Enjoying Eating," "Supermarket" shopping, a healthy recipes "Cookbook," eating "Out & About," staying "Fit Forever," and the special "Step by Step" diets.

Entrees:

Vegetables:

Soups:

Dessert:

OWH NEWS, INITIATIVES & CAMPAIGNS


PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH (http://www.4woman.gov/PYPTH/index.htm) - 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!

JUNE'S PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH THEME - Health Care Access: Your Health Matters

Links for additional information on health care access for all women:

JUNE NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH

WHO IS USING NWHIC's SERVICES?


This month, New York 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 five most popular NWHIC web pages this month were:

The health topics most frequently asked about were:

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