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

August 2002 edition

FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

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

It has been a busy month for news about women's health. Was anyone confused over the news about combined hormone replacement therapy (estrogen plus progestin)? Well, you are not alone. Nearly 40% of postmenopausal women in this country use HRT to stop symptoms of menopause and are now reconsidering whether to start or continue this commonly used combined therapy. Hopefully, NWHIC can help you sort out the information, and help you with questions you can ask your health care provider. We have added a new feature on our home page called "Hormone Replacement Therapy News" to keep you updated on the evolving story (http://www.4woman.gov/hrt).

Some background: the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health announced it is canceling the Estrogen and Progestin component of its Women's Health Initiative (WHI). Because women generally develop heart disease at a later age than men, it was originally assumed that the female hormone estrogen protected the heart. It was later determined that estrogen therapy alone increased the risk of cancer of the uterus, so progestin was added to reduce that risk. However, the WHI study suggested this combined HRT actually increases the risk of heart disease, as well as breast cancer. It is important to understand, however, that this finding does not affect women who have had their uterus removed by hysterectomy, who are usually prescribed estrogen alone. Those findings are not yet available.

First and foremost, women should discuss this finding with their health care provider. Second, women should be aware that it is no longer recommended to take this combined therapy to prevent heart disease, and should discuss with their health provider other ways to protect the heart. Third, women who are taking this combined therapy to help prevent osteoporosis should ask their health care providers if they are good candidates for alternate treatment, based on their personal health profiles.

To read comprehensive information on this finding and the Women's Health Initiative please go to our site at http://www.4woman.gov/hrt. NWHIC also offers information about menopause and hormone replacement therapy through their call center — call 1-800-994-9662 today!

If HRT is not the magic pill we had hoped; then it is more important than ever to focus on a healthy lifestyle at every age of womanhood to protect your heart. It is our hope that through the HEALTHY WOMAN TODAY Newsletter, you will learn about healthy habits that you can include in your daily routine. This issue of HEALTHY WOMAN TODAY features healthy and exciting recipes, and tips on locating trustworthy resources that can guide you to the answers to your health questions. It also has information about the Presidential Sports Award from the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (http://www.fitness.gov). This award program is a challenge to America to make a commitment to fitness through active and regular participation in sports and physical activity. Learn how to get started below in our new SUMMER MOVES section.

This month we are also excited about our new web site for young women...http://www.4girls.gov, launched at our National Young Women's Health Summit here in Washington, D.C. The site, which can also be accessed through the NWHIC home page, provides girls ages 10-16 with information on fitness, nutrition, stress management, relationships with friends and family, peer pressure, suicide, drugs, self-esteem, and other topics in an interactive, user-friendly format. There is also big news on breastfeeding. Did you know that several studies suggest it actually increases the I.Q. of your baby? And that it might help prevent breast cancer? We have highlighted breastfeeding in this month's newsletter, in support of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7). As you may remember, we have been expanding our efforts to educate women about the benefits of breastfeeding. We recently launched a new "Breastfeeding - Best for Baby, Best for Mom" specialty web page (http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/), in support of the U.S. Surgeon General's recommendation that babies be fed with breast milk only - no formula - for the first 6 months of life. It is better to breastfeed for 6 months and best to breastfeed for 12 months.

Now, NWHIC is ready to go even further to meet the needs of moms and dads providing breast milk to their babies, as we launch our new Breastfeeding Helpline (1-800-994-9662). The NWHIC Information Specialists have been trained by breastfeeding experts to respond to general questions on breastfeeding. As a breastfeeding mother, or the friend or family member of someone who is breastfeeding, we hope that you will contact our free, federal information service for help with all aspects of breastfeeding: how to get started, where to go for help, how you can involve your husband/partner/family members, what things to be concerned about, and most importantly - how breastfeeding will benefit your baby.

Until next month, stay healthy...

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

IMPORTANT NWHIC and OWH NEWS

NEW!!!!! — The Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH) proudly announces the launch of a new health web site, http://www.4girls.gov, to encourage adolescent girls to choose healthy behaviors. The site, part of HHS' National Women's Health Information Center, provides girls ages 10 -16 with information on fitness, nutrition, stress management, relationships with friends and family, peer pressure, suicide, drugs, self-esteem, and other topics in an interactive, user-friendly format.

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

The goal of the Summit was to foster the development of community-based health awareness programs through the efforts of young women, mentors, parents and local community groups. Educational sessions will alert young women to positive self, family and community health promotion activities that will help to improve individual, community, as well as the nation's health. To learn more, visit: http://www.4woman.gov/nwhic/current/calendar/YWHS/2002/

NEW!!! NWHIC Can Now Answer Your Basic Breastfeeding Questions - Do you have general questions about breastfeeding? NWHIC can now help you with your basic breastfeeding concerns. Our Information Specialists can answer basic breastfeeding questions, order free breastfeeding publications, tell you how you can improve your family's support and direct you to organizations that can provide you with additional assistance. Call us today at: 1-800-994-9662.

NOW AVAILABLE!!! -The Prevention Guide: You can now order a single copy of "A Lifetime of Good Health, Your Guide to Staying Healthy." It is an easy-to-read guide that offers basic information that every woman needs to know to protect her health and the health of the ones she loves. It's full of useful information such as recommended screenings and immunizations and provides tips on topics such as maintaining a healthy pregnancy, healthy lungs, and healthy eyes, just to name a few. You can order your free copy now by calling NWHIC at 1-800-994-9662.

OTHER HHS NEWS & EVENTS

Estrogen Plus Progestin Study Stopped Due to Increased Breast Cancer Risk, Lack of Overall Benefit - NHLBI has stopped early a major clinical trial of the risks and benefits of combined estrogen and progestin (HRT) in healthy menopausal women due to an increased risk of invasive breast cancer. The large multi-center trial, a component of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), also found increases in coronary heart disease, stroke, and pulmonary embolism in study participants on estrogen plus progestin compared to women taking placebo pills. There were noteworthy benefits of estrogen plus progestin, including fewer cases of hip fractures and a reduced risk of colon cancer, but on balance the harm was greater than the benefit. The study on estrogen only was not stopped, because the results are not yet clear.

This has no doubt been confusing to the 6 million American women taking the combined therapy, and an additional 7 million women taking Estrogen alone. Women should speak to their healthcare providers before making any changes in their decision on hormone therapy.

For more information on the cancellation of this study, and continued updates on HRT, go to: http://www.4woman.gov/HRT/

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

NEW!!!! Summer Moves!

Starting this month, try focusing on a single activity (ex. volleyball) for a total of at least 50 hours, within a 4-month period in order to earn your Presidential Sports Award from the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.

The goal of the Presidential Sports Award is to encourage a pledge to fitness through active and regular involvement in sports and physical activity. Earning the award means that you and your family have met the challenge of personal fitness. Anyone age 6 and older is eligible to participate in the program, although the completed fitness log(s) of all participants' ages 13 and younger must be signed and verified by an adult. To learn more about this program, go to: http://www.fitness.gov/sports/SportsAward-March2002.pdf.

In the meantime, get moving and try to catch a pick-up (open to anyone) volleyball game at a local park, or recreation center. You can also use a web site such as http://www.recreation.gov/ to locate a local park where people may practice regularly. What a fun way to stay in shape! Don't forget your sunscreen if you're playing outdoors. If you don't think you're ready for a game yet, practice bumping the ball against a wall. We have provided other exercises you can try with or without a partner. Keep track of your progress and you'll be spiking in no time at all.

Begin by standing approximately 30 feet from a wall. Use masking tape, create a target a little over 7 feet from the floor (a woman's league net is 7'4). Then, try the activities listed below.

For more information on physical fitness, please visit http://www.fitness.gov.

WHAT'S NEW ON THE NWHIC WEB SITE?

REVISED!!!!! A Breath of Fresh Air - Independence from Smoking - is a specialty page, which will provide you with resources to help you quit if you are a smoker. We encourage you to learn as much as you can about smoking and share this information with the ones you love. Remember, it's best to never start smoking and if you do smoke, don't give up on quitting. We know how hard quitting can be, but you'll be glad you did! Being smoke-free will help you to live longer with better health. You can find out how by going to the following link: http://www.4woman.gov/QuitSmoking/.

The following Frequently Asked Question publications have been updated this month:

AUGUST'S FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON BREASTFEEDING

Did you know that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer? That it can help you shed pregnancy pounds? That it can make your baby smarter, and that it lowers the risk of childhood obesity? There is lots of exciting new research on breast cancer.

We already know that breast milk is the best or most complete form of nutrition for infants and that it protects infants from a wide array of infectious and noninfectious diseases. Some of these include diarrhea, respiratory tract infection, otitis media or ear infection, pneumonia, urinary infection, necrotizing enterocolitis (damage to the intestine and colon), and invasive bacterial infection. Breastfed infants, compared with formula-fed infants, also seem to have stronger immune systems to fight infection, resulting in lower rates of chronic childhood diseases, such as diabetes, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, childhood cancer, and allergies and asthma. As a result, breastfed babies have lower rates of hospital admissions. Some studies also suggest that the type of fatty acids available in breast milk enhance brain growth and development in infants, giving them earlier visual acuity and cognitive function.

For more information on breastfeeding, please visit: http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/bf.cfm?page=QandA or call and talk to a trained specialist at 1-800-994-9662.

For complete information on Breastfeeding, visit our NEW Breastfeeding Page, "Best for Baby, Best for Mom" at: http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/.

GUEST EDITOR FEATURES FOR AUGUST 2002

The featured English health article on NWHIC's web site this month is:

"Breastfeeding: Myths vs. Reality." Our featured article comes to us from Kathleen G. Auerbach, Ph.D., IBCLC at "Mothering Magazine." To read this article, please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/editor/aug02/

The featured Spanish health article on NWHIC's web site this month is:

"Leche Materna, Lo Mejor Para Su Bebé" (Breast Milk, The Best Thing for Your Baby). Our featured Spanish health article comes from columnist Dr. Silva Jimenéz, of "Solo Mujeres" and companion web site "http://www.solomujeres.com". To read this article, please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/editor/aug02/s-index.htm.

COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!

Food that is good for you, should taste … GOOD! An excellent place to start looking for exciting and new recipes is the American Institute on Cancer Research's "Recipe Corner" (http://www.aicr.org). Their web site provides healthy, great-tasting dishes that only take minutes to prepare. And these light dishes are perfect for a summer evening. Try one today!

Soups:

Mushroom and Barley Soup:
http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=soupssearch.htm&recipeid=442&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

10 Minute Gazpacho:
http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=soupssearch.htm&recipeid=382&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

Salad:

Salad Nicoise:
http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=saladssearch.htm&recipeid=450&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

Spinach, Romaine & Strawberries with Balsamic Vinaigrette:
http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=saladssearch.htm&recipeid=346&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

Rice/ Pasta:

Wild Rice Stuffing with Portobello Mushrooms:
http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=pastasearch.htm&recipeid=404&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

Acorn Squash Stuffed with Wild Rice:
http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=pastasearch.htm&recipeid=359&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

Entrees:

Fillet of Sole Florentine:
http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=entreessearch.htm&recipeid=289&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

Chicken Breast with Red Pepper Sauce:
http://www.aicr.org/action.lasso?-Database=w005recipe.fp3&-MaxRecords=1&-Response=entreessearch.htm&recipeid=266&-DoScript=RecipeAll&-Search

AUGUST'S PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH THEME - Family: Get support from those who care.

Links for additional information on family support and care giving for all women:

NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES IN AUGUST

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH

WHO IS USING NWHIC'S SERVICES?

California 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 service if they need information on women's health topics. Don't forget to take time to place your individual request for the 2003 Daybook or the Prevention Guide!

The five most popular NWHIC web pages this month were:

Our most frequently asked health topics this month were requests for information on:

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