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

December 2002 edition

FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

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

It's hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us once again offering us many fun activities such as parties, shopping, and decorating. I'm looking forward to transforming our house into a holiday wonderland! The holiday lights and collectibles I've acquired over the years always bring me a sense of warmth and peace. I'm also looking forward to decorating our tree with my son this year since he is old enough now to handle the ornaments and not break them (I think I'll keep the glass ones packed away though till next year).

This time of year also provides us with an opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends. Prepare holiday dinners together, share recipes, or have a holiday potluck. Focus on the importance of family and tradition, or start a new tradition this year, like celebrating without alcohol. In 2000, 22 million Americans ages 12 and older reported drinking and driving. When celebrating, offer alternatives to alcohol such as sparkling cider or rum-free eggnog. If guests drink alcohol, offer designated drivers or see if your city offers a sober - ride home. Most major cities offer free taxi rides during the holidays. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers information on starting a designated driver program in your area (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/alcohol/3d/3DFY2002/).

While planning your New Year's resolution, consider this: an estimated 333 million new cases of curable STDs occur each year among adults. Are you doing everything you can to prevent it? If you aren't sure, read the Pick Your Path to Health section below and share it with your mothers, sisters and daughters. If you don't know your status, get tested!! If you are without medical insurance, your state health department will provide you with a list of testing sites in your area.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for contributing to the success of NWHIC. In 2002, we have received more hits to the web site and handled more calls than ever before! We hope that NWHIC has provided you and your loved ones with information to help you stay informed and healthy. Please make time for yourself during the busy holiday season so you stay healthy through all you have to do. You deserve it!

As always ... Happy Holidays from everyone at the Office on Women's Health.

Valerie Scardino, M.P.A.
Acting Director of Communications, Office on Women's Health, DHHS

IMPORTANT NWHIC & OWH NEWS

The National Women's Health Information Center Wins the 2002 Government Technology Leadership Award "Gracie"!

The National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) web site (http://www.4woman.gov), received the 2002 Grace Hopper Government Technology Leadership Award. The nomination submitted for the Health and Human Services Department - National Women's Health Information Center project was considered outstanding by a panel of Government experts in Federal technology advancement.

Out of 140 submissions, NWHIC was one of 10 awardees among the seven categories. NWHIC will be honored this month at an awards ceremony for its Category 5 award: providing individuals and enterprises with access to useful government information.

The National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health Second National Forum -- May 13-14, 2003 -

"Understanding Health Differences and Disparities in Women - Closing the Gap"

The Forum will showcase the thirteen National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health program, highlight the quantitative and qualitative evaluation outcomes, and present lessons learned since the programs inception in 1996. Look for additional information about abstract submissions at http://www.4woman.gov/COE/forums/index.htm or by contacting: Allison Marks, Educational Services, Inc. at: (202) 628-8080 or allisonm@esilsg.com.

COMING SOON!!!  Breastfeeding Packets in Spanish and Chinese!!

Women will soon be able to learn about breastfeeding tips in Spanish and Chinese. We'll keep you posted on this information!

NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH WEEK 2003
Will be celebrated May 11th - 17th 2003. The week will be launched with the first ever "National Women's Check-up Day," Monday May 12th. On this day, community health centers, hospitals, and other health care providers across America will offer free preventive health services to women. The goal is to educate, screen, and counsel underserved women on health conditions that they have the power to help prevent.

Now Available To Order!!!
Pick Your Path to Health (PYPTH) Pocket Planners focusing on African - American women, Asian American women, Native American women, Latina women and now Rural Women and Women with Disabilities. The Pick Your Path to Health Campaign, based on the Ten Leading Health Indicators as identified by the U.S. Surgeon General, helps women take simple and time-sensitive steps to improve their health, and provides tools for local communities to promote practical, culturally relevant action steps to wellness. Pick Your Path to Health is for all women, with a special emphasis on women from different cultural and ethnic groups. Learn more about this initiative at: http://www.4woman.gov/PYPTH. To order Pick Your Path to Health materials, call the National Women's Health Information Center at: 1-800-994-9662.

OTHER HHS NEWS & EVENTS

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S BEST AND BRIGHTEST CITED FOR HARVARD AWARD!!!

The National Community Centers of Excellence (CCOE) in Women's Health (Department of Health and Human Services) was one of seventeen creative, forward thinking and results-driven federal government programs among the 99 semifinalists named for the prestigious 2002 Innovations in American Government Awards.

The awards competition - often referred to as the Oscars of government prizes - is a program of the Institute for Government Innovation at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. The award recognizes outstanding programs that devise imaginative and effective ways to meet urgent social and economic challenges. Each semifinalist is eligible for one of five top grants of $100,000.

The CCOE program is the nation's first community-based program funded to develop models of comprehensive care for underserved women. The Centers are located in hospitals, community health centers, and one Area Health Education Center.

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Did you know that breast cancer is on the rise for women of Asian and Pacific Islander descent living in the United States? Yet Asian and Pacific Islander women over age 40 get mammograms less often than other groups of women in the U.S.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommends that women in their 40s and older get a mammogram every 1 to 2 years. NCI, in cooperation with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), produced a new brochure about the importance of mammograms called "Do It for Yourself, Do It for Your Family."

To order free copies of the brochure in English, Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese, call NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237), or visit http://breasthealth.cancer.gov.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Foundation is pleased to announce the Avon-CDC Foundation Mobile Access Program. The Avon Foundation, Inc., is underwriting start-up and two-year operating costs for several mobile mammography-screening units. Mobile mammography vans will be provided to carefully selected grantees to increase breast cancer and related screening services for hard-to-reach women.

The Avon-CDC Foundation Mobile Access Program will be conducted in communities with well-defined populations of underserved women who have lacked access to screening services due to social, economic or geographic barriers. The goal is to reach these women where they are most comfortable, usually near home and family. Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent (LOI) of five pages or less to be postmarked by December 23, 2002.

Fall Into Fitness!!

This winter, take advantage of public recreational parks, and spend time maintaining your physical as well as psychological health. Get active - it can help reduce feelings of depression and anxiety, and help maintain your appropriate body weight. Parks, bikeways, trails ... are "re- creation" sites for mind, body, and spirit.

Carve out the time for 30 minutes of moderate activity, such as brisk walking, at least four days a week - or commit to 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity at least three times a week. It can reduce the risk of dying prematurely from diabetes, high blood pressure and several forms of cancer, while making you feel better and be more cheerful.

Take a hike. Go ice-skating with the kids. Ride a bike. Get wet in an indoor pool (of course). Be active, and use your public recreational sites often.

NWHIC USER COMMENTS!!!

Here is our featured comment of the month:

"I just wanted to write a little note to thank you so much for the information I gained by viewing your site. I had a medical problem that my own doctor was not making any advances in and after viewing a lot of information here I was able to see info from Michigan Medical and Iowa Medical Research and I think I have found what I have. I called my doctor and he checked the site and he is sending me to another doctor who does this kind of treatment. Thanks so much for this info. That is the only way that we can help each other to find ways to possible cures of many diseases and it keeps people informed."

Peggy Elkin, North Carolina

If you have comments about how our website or call center helped you, please submit them at: http://www.4woman.gov/search/contact.cfm.

DECEMBER FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE

"Alcohol and Transportation Safety" from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Research has shown that even low blood alcohol concentration (BAC) impairs driving skills and increases crash risk. New information about BAC and impairment has led to policy changes, which have contributed to declines in alcohol - related crashes and fatalities. This Alcohol Alert examines some aspects of alcohol - induced impairment and reviews selected strategies designed to reduce alcohol - related crashes and repeat drinking - and - driving offenses.

To read more, please go to: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa52.htm

COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!

Cooking healthy never meant standing in a hot kitchen for hours on end. Instead, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's - National High Blood Pressure Education Program (http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhbpep_kit/recipes.htm) offers nutritious recipes known as the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet that can be made in 30 minutes or less. The DASH Diet is a healthy way of reducing the family's sodium intake. Start reducing your sodium intake today!!

Entrees:

Zucchini Lasagna:
http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhbpep_kit/rec_wrap.htm?recipe=lasagna.htm

Chicken and Spanish Rice:
http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhbpep_kit/rec_wrap.htm?recipe=chick_rice.htm

Spicy Baked Fish:
http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhbpep_kit/rec_wrap.htm?recipe=fish.htm

Turkey Meatloaf:
http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhbpep_kit/rec_wrap.htm?recipe=turkey.htm

Side Dishes:

New Potato Salad:
http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhbpep_kit/rec_wrap.htm?recipe=potato_salad.htm

Scallion Rice:
http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhbpep_kit/rec_wrap.htm?recipe=scal_rice.htm

Tuna Salad:
http://hin.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhbpep_kit/rec_wrap.htm?recipe=tuna.htm

DECEMBER'S PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH THEME

Responsible Sexual Behavior: Think Before You Act!

Links for additional information on responsible sexual behavior for all women:

NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES IN DECEMBER

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH

WHO IS USING NWHIC'S SERVICES?

Maryland 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.

The five most popular NWHIC web pages this month were:

Our most frequently asked health topics this month were requests for information on: Prevention, Osteoporosis, Breast Cancer, Menopause and Hormone Replacement Therapy.

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