4Woman.gov -- The National Women's Health Information Center -- U S Department of Health and Human Services

Healthy Women Today
January 2003

FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

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

Now that 2002 is behind us, the New Year gives us the chance to refuel and start fresh with a healthy outlook towards what's to come. This past year has certainly been a great success for the Office on Woman's Health and the National Woman's Health Information Center. Continue to contact us for information regarding your health concerns after the New Year!

While people around the globe celebrate and rejoice, take time to reflect on the successes and blessings you experienced in 2002. Like most people, I have personally experienced some hardship this past year. However, I have found I can endure by concentrating on the simple yet precious gifts my young son shares with me every day. By looking through his eyes I have found an appreciation for life's beauty such as new fallen snow, a new accomplishment no matter how small, as in my son's case, putting on his shoes correctly for the first time, and for me, making a delicious yet low fat dish for the holidays. I hope you can sort out and focus on the positive moments so you can look back on the year with a smile and look forward to a bright and prosperous 2003.

This year, make it a priority to set time aside for yourself during the upcoming holiday season so you can stay healthy throughout all you have to do. The beginning of the New Year also brings about a certain personal awareness! We decide to lead healthier, happier lives by changing possibly damaging lifestyle habits. When you decide on your New Year's resolutions, don't forget to schedule your next pap smear for the 10th of January in recognition of FREE PAP SMEAR DAY and Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. After all, most cervical cancers can be caught early with regular screenings. Our featured health article below offers additional information. You can also learn more from the National Cervical Cancer Coalition at: http://www.nccc-online.org/cervical_month.asp.

Afterwards, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. Did you know that glaucoma tends to run in families and vision loss due to glaucoma is permanent? Individuals at increased risk for the disease should have their eyes examined at least every two years by an eye care professional. See how much you know about glaucoma by taking this quiz: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma_quiz/index.htm.

2002 was a year we will never forget!!! May the New Year bring for all of you an increased sense of safety, tolerance and compassion for each other.

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

IMPORTANT NWHIC & OWH NEWS

American Consumer Satisfaction Index (ACSI): Federal Government Scores

An independent survey, conducted by the University of Michigan Business School's National Quality Research Center, measured customer satisfaction within seven economic sectors, 35 industries, 190 companies and federal and local government agencies.

For the first time, the ACSI also included scores for several government Web sites, whose average score (74) is higher than the overall ACSI score for private industry (73.1) or government (70.2). Among the web sites, the Office on Women's Health ranked highest with a score of 80!!!

OTHER HHS NEWS & EVENTS

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 Office on Women's Health, within the Department of Health and Human Services, is planning a Second National Forum on the National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health (CoE) to be held at the Sheraton Premiere Hotel in Vienna, Virginia, on May 13-14, 2003. The Forum will share information and findings among CoEs with representatives of other academic health centers interested in adopting the CoE model or its components. You may learn more by going to: http://www.4woman.gov/COE/forums/index.htm.

JANUARY FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE

Frequently Asked Questions About Cervical Cancer

Cancer of the cervix, a very common kind of cancer in women, is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the tissues of the cervix. The cervix is the opening of the uterus (womb). It connects the uterus to the vagina (the birth canal). Cancer of the cervix usually grows slowly over a period of time. Before cancer cells are found on the cervix, the tissues of the cervix go through changes in which abnormal cells begin to appear (a condition called dysplasia). Later, cancer starts to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to surrounding areas.

To read more, please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/ccervix.htm.

GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR JANUARY 2003

The Guest Editor article on NWHIC's web site this month is:

"Live Better with Lupus." Our featured health article comes to us from the Lupus Foundation of America. To read this article, please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/editor/jan03/index.htm.

COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!

The start of a new year often provides the opportunity to change lifestyle habits for the better. Of course if you decide to exercise regularly, it only makes sense to change your eating habits as well. The recipes below provide at least one full serving of fruit and/or vegetables per recipe, as recommended by the National Cancer Institute. These recipes ensure that you enjoy a healthy and tasty dish containing a generous amount of fruits and/or vegetables low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. You may view more at: http://dccps.nci.nih.gov/5aday/RECIPES.HTML.

Breakfast:

Strawberry Yogurt Breakfast Split:
http://dccps.nci.nih.gov/5aday/breakfastsplit.html

Mango and Melon Salad:
http://dccps.nci.nih.gov/5aday/SummerRecipe/Mango%20and%20Melon%20Salad

Salad:

Layered Italian Salad with Basil Vinaigrette:
http://dccps.nci.nih.gov/5aday/SummerRecipe/italsalad.html

Tropical Eye Openers:
http://dccps.nci.nih.gov/5aday/SummerRecipe/Tropical%20Eye-Openers

Old Favorites:

Vegetable Sandwich Booster:
http://dccps.nci.nih.gov/5aday/SummerRecipe/vegsandwichboost.html

Zero Vegetable Soup:
http://dccps.nci.nih.gov/5aday/zerovegsoup.html

The Microwave to 5 A Day:
http://dccps.nci.nih.gov/5aday/microwave.html

Dessert:

Peaches with Raspberry Yogurt Sauce:
http://dccps.nci.nih.gov/5aday/peachrasb.html

JANUARY'S PICK YOUR PATH TO HEALTH THEME -

Spirituality: Find the Strength Within!!

Links for additional information on well being for all women:

NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES IN JANUARY

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: Menopause, Diabetes, Breast Cancer, Heart Disease and Nutrition.

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