October 2002 edition
FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
As fall weather turns cooler and the sky turns a crisp blue it is a reminder that once again it is a time of transition in our nation. Kids have returned to school, traffic in our cities has thickened once again, farm families prepare for harvest, and you could almost hear a national sigh of relief as we passed the one-year anniversary of the dreadful events of September 2001. For me personally, it is also a time of transition as I leave the government job I love and return to the private sector to try to open a new chapter in my professional life.
I have been at the Office on Women's Health five years now, and have been so grateful for the opportunity to grow and nurture the National Women's Health Information Center and other health communications projects. I am constantly amazed at the innovation and dedication of my co-workers who are constantly creating programs that are advancing the health of America's women. I will continue to work on health communications, and fully intend to begin each day clicking onto NWHIC to keep me informed.
As I say goodbye, I hope your interest in NWHIC will continue, and that the NWHIC team will continue to hear from you when you have thoughts, ideas or concerns. I have always said that NWHIC is a living, breathing project, and is popular because it has been so responsive to the many women who give us feedback. After my departure, Valerie Scardino will be acting in my place; no one knows more about NWHIC than Valerie. She has been the program manager for several years now and has been instrumental in its success.
No matter what, never forget how important you are to your own health. October brings familiar health themes: National Breast Cancer Awareness month, National Domestic Violence Awareness month, National Lupus month and nearly 30 other health commemorations. Check NWHIC's calendar for these health observances, and take these reminders in good spirit. It is an insane world out there but to have some control over your personal health universe, become better educated about prevention. Let the season tempt you to become your own best friend, and take better care of yourself. I promise to do the same.
Carol Krause,
Director of Communications,
Office on Women's Health, DHHS
IMPORTANT NWHIC & OWH NEWS
Last month, the Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH) proudly launched a new health web site, 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. (To see the press release: www.4woman.gov/owh/pr/4girlsPR.htm)
Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day -
Date: October 9, 2002, 11AM - 1 PM. Place: The Great Hall, Department of Health and Human
Services, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC. Sponsored by The Department of
Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health, Administration for Children and
Families - Office of Community Services, and The Family Violence Prevention Fund, Inc.
OTHER HHS NEWS & EVENTS
The Surgeon General Seeks Your Input on Osteoporosis and Bone Health Report!!
The Surgeon General plans to convene a major national meeting this fall to launch the
production of The Surgeon General's Report on Osteoporosis and Bone Health. The
participants will be asked to identify the most important issues in improving bone health.
Since attendance at the meeting is limited and will be by invitation only, input is being
solicited in advance from a broad range of interested groups, associations, and
individuals regarding the issues to be discussed at the meeting. Your assistance will help
ensure that the public input on the priorities for the report is from as broad a
representation of interests as possible. An announcement on the Surgeon General's website
is now seeking public comments: www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/bonehealth/.
NHLBI launch of "The Heart Healthy Truth", Women's Heart Health Awareness Campaign -Cardiovascular experts and leading women's health advocates joined the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health on September 25th, 2002 for the unveiling of The Heart Truth, the NHLBI's women's heart health awareness campaign. The national campaign aims to increase awareness about heart disease as the number one killer of women and to motivate women to take heart health seriously, talk with their doctors about it, and take steps to reduce their risks. To read more about the campaign visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
Find out more about breast cancer and where you can get a free or low-cost mammogram
through the CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP).
Call 1-888-842-6355 or visit their site at www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/index.htm.
CDC/ ATSDR Conference - Advancing the Health of Women: Prevention, Practice and Policy, October 7-9, Atlanta, GA: This 2 ½ day conference will provide opportunities to expand your knowledge on women's health issues and increases your effectiveness in helping women live healthier lives. To learn more, visit: www.cdc.gov/od/spotlight/wmconf.
National Lung Screening Trial - The National Cancer Institute is seeking 50,000 current and former smokers to participate in a lung screening trial. Selected participants will receive lung cancer screenings free of charge. For complete information and requirements go to www.cancer.gov/NLST or call 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) for information in English or Spanish. The number for callers with TTY equipment is 1-800-332-8615.
NEW!!!! Fall Into Fitness!!
Autumn is the perfect time to hike or walk through our nation's State Parks. Both hiking and walking are low impact; weight-bearing exercises that help keep your bones strong. If you hike up-hill, it is an excellent form of aerobic exercise, which is great for your cardiovascular health.
Another good thing about walking or hiking is that it's inexpensive. All that is needed is a good pair of walking or trail shoes. And of course you don't need to sign up for a class in walking. It's as easy as grabbing a neighbor and walking around the block!!! The following on-line publication discusses how to get started: www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/walking/walking.htm.
You may be able to participate in a variety of community activities such as "Hearts N' Parks", which is a national, community-based program, supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) (www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/heart/obesity/hrt_n_pk/index.htm). For those of you who are working to earn your Presidential Sports Award, by the end of this month, you should have approximately 32 - 36 hours accrued! (See our August edition for more information: http://www.4woman.gov/newsletter/2002.08.htm.)
OCTOBER'S FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE
"LUPUS: A SIGNIFICANT WOMEN'S HEALTH ISSUE"
October is National Lupus Awareness Month, and the Lupus Foundation of America and its nationwide network of chapters and support groups are stepping up their efforts to educate the public about the impact lupus can have on the body.
Although 1.4 million Americans, mostly women, have a form of lupus, public understanding of the autoimmune disease remains low, according to a recent Lupus Foundation of America (LFA) survey. The survey revealed that adults ages 18 to 34 have the lowest awareness of the impact lupus has on the body, even though most new cases develop among women of childbearing age. The nationwide survey showed that most Americans do not know lupus can affect major organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain. Lupus is a potentially life-threatening disease that causes the immune system to attack the body's own cells and tissue.
COMMON SYMPTOMS - The most common symptoms of lupus are achy or swollen joints, extreme fatigue, fevers, and skin rashes. Other symptoms can include sensitivity to sunlight, hair loss, fingers turning white or blue in the cold, and mouth or nose ulcers. Symptoms that might indicate vital organs are affected include chest pains on deep breathing (pleurisy), excessive protein in the urine, and seizures.
DIAGNOSIS - The key to controlling the disease and preventing or minimizing damage to vital organs is early diagnosis. Diagnosis of lupus is made after a careful review of a person's entire medical history, coupled with an analysis of the results of laboratory tests.
TREATMENT - At the present time, there is no cure for lupus. However, for the vast majority of people with lupus effective treatment can minimize symptoms, reduce inflammation, and maintain normal bodily function. Unfortunately, some drugs can cause other health problems from long-term use, and no new medicines have been approved specifically for lupus in several decades.
ABOUT LFA - The LFA is the nation's leading nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to lupus, and operates programs of education, awareness, support, advocacy, and research. For a free brochure about lupus, call the LFA toll-free at 1-888-38LUPUS, or visit the LFA web site at: www.lupus.org.
GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR OCTOBER 2002
The featured Guest Editor article on NWHIC's web site this month is:
"How Good is Your Bladder Health?" Our featured article comes to us from Nancy Muller and the National Association for Continence. To read this article, please go to: www.4woman.gov/editor/oct02/.
COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!
Now that school is back in session, you may be looking for quick meals for your family that are tasty and healthy. The following recipes come from the American Heart Association's recipe corner, Delicious Decisions (www.deliciousdecisions.org). The recipes below take approximately 30 minutes to prepare and have less than 300 calories per serving. Now how is that for fast food?
Entrees:
Baked Catfish:
www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=24&Nutrition1='Entrees'&st=1
Velvet Turkey and Herbs:
www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=170&Nutrition5='Quick+~~+Easy'&st=21