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Healthy Women Today
February 2003
FROM THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
Office on Women's Health, U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services
We are happy to report that in the last few months, more women than ever have visited
NWHIC's website, called our toll-free number or sent us an e-mail!! We hope you'll
continue to contact us for information on women's health and also let know how we can
better serve you.
Perhaps your newfound self-awareness is making you think more about your health. As
your thoughts turn to love this season, the best gift you can give to a loved one is to
make him or her aware of how women are affected by heart or cardiovascular disease, which
includes diseases of the heart as well as the body's blood vessel system.
For the third consecutive year,
OWH is partnering with the Sister to Sister Foundation to sponsor their annual Women's
Heart Day campaign in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2003. Women's Heart
Day is a high-energy, interactive health fair style event with over 40
exhibitors, free screening, healthy cooking and fitness demonstrations,
children's activities and four panel discussions on stress, heart disease,
fitness and nutrition. The only good news about heart disease is that we know
more ways to prevent it. So I urge you to read the featured health article below
and, consider your new heart health awareness as a gift to yourself!
Don't forget to take a look at
our "For Your Heart" site (www.4woman.gov/hhs/)
that will take you through a short, confidential survey of questions about your
health and lifestyle. Based on your answers, you will be provided with a series
of articles detailing the latest information on exercise, nutrition, smoking,
diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure and other factors that affect you and
your risk for heart disease - all tailored to your needs.
Have you seen a recent infomercial making claims regarding weight control, herbal
supplements, equipment for stronger abs, and fat burning pills? Did you know that many of
these products, unless used under the supervision of your health care provider could cause
more harm than good? Becoming a wise health consumer will help you make the best decisions
about medications and health products. In recognition of Wise Health Consumer Month, we
would also like to raise awareness about consumer product safety. The Food and Drug
Administration (www.fda.gov) and the Federal Trade
Commission (www.ftc.gov) are good places to turn for
information. You can also check out the new federal web site Consumer.gov (www.consumer.gov) for a variety of consumer
information.
Also, take time to review your new state highway laws. Many states have recently passed
laws regarding cell phone use and child passenger safety issues. Some states have
completely banned the use of cell phones, while others allow cell phones to be used with a
headset or a speakerphone. Check the state guideline for child passengers under the age of
12. Most states recommend children 12 and under are buckled up in the rear seats. Drivers
should use age appropriate child safety seats, booster seats or safety belts suitable to
the child's age and size. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/) can provide more
information regarding both. Nothing is more important than protecting the lives of your
little ones.
Until next month,
Valerie Scardino, M.P.A. Acting Director of Communications, Office on Women's Health,
DHHS
IMPORTANT NWHIC & OWH NEWS
"Women's Heart Day",
Washington, DC - February 21, 2003
The Women's Heart Day
Campaign is a high-energy, interactive health fair style event with over 40
exhibitors, free screening, healthy cooking and fitness demonstrations,
children's activities, giveaways such as airline tickets and cruises, and four
panel discussions on stress, heart disease, fitness and nutrition. Nearly 3,500
women participated in this successful event in 2002, and over 1,900 women
received free heart screenings with the funding support of OWH.
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.htm.
Funding Opportunities Open for New Centers
The National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health (CoE) and the National Community
Centers of Excellence in Women's Health (CCOE) Programs are currently accepting
proposals/applications for new Centers.
The CoEs are housed within academic medical centers (www.4woman.gov/coe/index.htm) and the CCOEs
within community-based organizations (www.4woman.gov/owh/ccoe/index.htm),
but they both provide for the integration of clinical services, training, research, public
education and outreach, leadership development for women. The CCOE program also provides
technical assistance to ensure the replication of promising models and strategies. This
funding is not for the development of new programs or to fund direct services but rather
to integrate, coordinate, and strengthen linkages between activities/programs that are
already underway in order to reduce fragmentation in women's health services and
activities.
Proposals for the CoE program will be due by May 30, 2003. For more information contact
Marie Sunday, Contracts Officer, at 301-443-7081. Applications for the CCOE program will
be due by May 1, 2003. For more information contact Karen Campbell, Grants Management
Officer, (301) 594-0758.
Lupus Awareness & Education Seminars (January 18, 2003 - September
30, 2003)
In accordance with HHS goals to decrease health disparities and increase education
about issues involving the health of minorities and women, the Office on Women's Health in
partnership with a number of community based organizations has scheduled lupus awareness
and education seminars in various locations throughout the country. These seminars will be
held in Arizona, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Contact: Susan Sanders at
202-690-5414.
OTHER HHS NEWS & EVENTS
HHS TO PROPOSE INCREASED FUNDING FOR CANCER SCREENING
President Bush will propose a $10 million increase in funding for breast and cervical
cancer screening to help low-income and underserved women, HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson
announced today.
The proposed increase is for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection
Program, administered by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which provides
screening services, including clinical breast examinations, mammograms, pelvic
examinations and Pap tests, to underserved women. It also funds post-screening diagnostic
services, such as surgical consultation and biopsy, to ensure that women with abnormal
results receive timely and adequate referrals.
The National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program was established by the
Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990. Since its creation, the
program has provided more than 3 million screening examinations and diagnosed more than
10,000 breast cancers and 800 invasive cervical cancers. The program operates in all 50
states, the District of Columbia, six U.S. territories and 12 American Indian and Alaska
Native organizations.
Information about the CDC screening program is available at www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp. Details about
this Medicaid option are available at www.cms.hhs.gov/bccpt/.
More information on the program is available at www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp.
FEBRUARY FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE
Frequently Asked Questions About Heart and Cardiovascular Disease
While often thought of as the same thing, heart and cardiovascular disease are
different, involving different parts of your body.
Heart disease refers only to diseases of the heart and the blood vessel
system within the heart.
Cardiovascular disease refers to diseases of the heart and diseases of
the blood vessel system (arteries, capillaries, veins) within a person's entire body, such
as the brain, legs, and lungs. "Cardio" refers to the heart and
"vascular" refers to the blood vessel system.
The heart is a strong, muscular pump slightly larger than your fist. It pumps blood
continuously through the circulatory system, the network of elastic tubes that allows
blood to flow throughout your body. The circulatory system includes two major organs, the
heart and lungs, and blood vessels (arteries, capillaries, and veins). Arteries and
capillaries carry oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood from the heart and lungs to all parts of
the body. Veins carry oxygen- and nutrient-depleted blood back to the heart and lungs.
Heart and blood vessel problems do not happen quickly. Over time, the arteries that bring
blood to the heart and brain can become blocked from a buildup of cells, fat, and
cholesterol (plaque). Reduced blood flow to the heart from blockages in the arteries
causes heart attacks. Lack of blood flow to the brain from a blood clot, or bleeding in
the brain from a broken blood vessel, causes a stroke.
To learn more, please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/heartdis.htm
GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR FEBRUARY 2003
The Guest Editor articles on NWHIC's web site this month are:
"Women and Heart Disease." Our featured health article comes to us from
Katherine Houck at Woman's Day Magazine. To read this article, please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/editor/feb03/index.htm.
The featured Spanish health article on NWHIC's web site this month comes from Denton A.
Cooley of the Texas Heart Institute. To read this article, please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/editor/feb03/s-index.htm
COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!
Keep your New Year's Resolution going by eating healthier. We can help you keep them by
offering heart healthy recipes from the American Heart Association's (http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/)
Delicious Decisions web site. These new mouth-watering recipes are low in fat, calories
and sodium. Try one today for your healthy start for the new year!
Breakfast:
Egg, Spinach and Bacon Sandwich:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=147&Nutrition1='Breakfast'&st=1
Turkey Sausage Patties:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=70&Nutrition1='Breakfast'&st=1
Stuffed French Toast:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=146&Nutrition1='Breakfast'&st=1
Lunch:
Grilled Cheese and Cilantro Sandwich:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=159&Nutrition1='Sandwiches'&st=1
Open-Faced Vegetable Sandwiches:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=158&Nutrition1='Sandwiches'&st=1
Pizza Hero:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=124&Nutrition1='Sandwiches'&st=1
Dinner:
Bundled Trout and Vegetables:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=206&Nutrition1='Entrees'&st=1
Chicken Jambalaya:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=30&Nutrition1='Entrees'&st=1
Linguine with White Clam Sauce:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=25&Nutrition1='Entrees'&st=21
NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES IN FEBRUARY
- American Heart Month
- National Eating Disorders Awareness & Screening Week (23 - March 2)
- National Girls and Women in Sports Day (5)
- AMD/ Low Vision Awareness Month
- National Children's Dental Health Awareness Month
- Wise Health Consumer Month
- National Burn Awareness Week (2-8)
- National Children of Alcoholics Week (9-15)
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, Heart Disease, Breast Cancer, Weight Control and Diabetes.
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