Healthy Women
Today
July 2003
FROM THE NWHIC PROJECT OFFICER
U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Office
on Women's Health
Summer is here! In this issue of Healthy
Women Today, we've highlighted important information on summer safety. NWHIC reminds you
to stay safe and healthy during these sunny summer months. Protect yourself and your
family by wearing sunscreen, drinking lots of water, and thinking of safety first -
especially during the Fourth of July festivities.
Eye care and summer safety goes far beyond
the 4th, however. You should be sure to wear sunglasses with UV protection. In addition,
be vigilant about water safety. A new study by the NIH's National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development (NICHD) suggests that infants are most likely to drown in
bathtubs, toddlers in swimming pools, and older children in other freshwater sites such as
rivers and lakes. Don't take your eyes off the kids for even a second
and never
allow them to swim alone.
If you have teenagers at home, and a
computer, it's likely the Internet will be buzzing this summer. At the National Women's
Health Information Center, we have a great deal of experience in responsible Internet use.
Have you set up Internet rules to guide your children? Even the nicest kids can be seduced
by those chat rooms. Despite all the well-publicized horror stories, kids are still
arranging to meet people they find on the Internet. Encourage them to tell you if they
receive a message that in any way made them feel uncomfortable. You can forward these
messages to your Internet service provider and ask for assistance. Make sure that you also
maintain privacy on the Internet, and never give out personal information such as your
home address, social security numbers, credit card numbers or telephone numbers while in
chat rooms. Did you know about our website for girls ages 10-16 www.4girls.gov? The site focuses on many health topics
that respond to adolescent girls' health concerns and motivates girls to choose healthy
behaviors. Call us at 1-800-994-9662 to order a free 4girls.gov poster or postcard for a
girl you may know.
Remember that while you are out enjoying
your summer days, anyone exposed to high temperatures for a long period of time is at risk
for heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Keep an eye on elderly
neighbors and remind your older parents or friends to take the threat of heat related
problems seriously. To prevent heat-related illnesses, stay hydrated and cool. It helps to
spend even short periods of time in the shade, and plan outdoor activities for the cooler
part of the day. For more information on preventing heat-related illnesses, go to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's web site at: www.cdc.gov/nceh/hsb/extremeheat. And
of course don't forget sun block, even for darker complexions.
The best part of summer is that it gets us
outdoors. A little more physical activity can go a long way towards a healthier life.
Enjoy!
Valerie Scardino, M.P.A.
Project Officer, Office on Women's Health, DHHS
IMPORTANT NWHIC & OWH NEWS
THE NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING
AWARENESS CAMPAIGN:
The US Department of Health and Human
Services Office on Women's Health (OWH) has been funded to carry out the recommendations
of the HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding (2000) (www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/bluprntbk2.pdf)
into a National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign to promote breastfeeding among first-time
parents (mothers and fathers) who would not normally breastfeed their baby. The overall
goal of the campaign is to increase the proportion of mothers who breastfeed their babies
in the early postpartum period to 75% and those within 6 months postpartum to 50% by the
year 2010. The campaign aims to empower women to commit to breastfeeding and to clearly
illustrate the consequences of not breastfeeding such as a higher likelihood of diabetes,
weight problems, some childhood cancers, and other illnesses and conditions. Besides
trying to raise initiation rates, the campaign will also stress the importance of
exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months.
FREE BREASTFEEDING INFORMATION
PACKETS NOW AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH AND CHINESE!!! These information sheets
are available through our toll-free call center (800-994-9662), and on-line. They may also
be reproduced as needed.
Spanish: www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/Spanish/sp-breastfeeding.pdf
Chinese: www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/bf-chinese.pdf
English: www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/Breastfeeding.pdf
NEW on 4WOMAN.GOV - TOOLS TO HELP
YOU BUILD A HEALTHIER LIFE!!!
Visit a new special section on our website
called "Tools to Help You Build a Healthier Life." This page contains
interesting interactive tools, quizzes, and other information every woman needs to know!
It includes topics such as important screening tests (for men and women), working with
your health care provider, state and local resources and a dictionary and journal section.
Visit www.4woman.gov/tools/ to learn more.
Also featured on this page is a new
important HEART HEALTH quiz and questions for women, which can help you discuss heart
disease with your health care provider, and learn about your risk for heart disease. Go to
www.4woman.gov/tools/heart/quiz.cfm
to learn more.
WWW.4GIRLS.GOV
Last week the 16 members of the Office on Women's
Health "Sounding Board" met for three days in Washington DC. Sixteen young women
between the ages of 13 and 17 came from all over the United States to meet each other and
to share their thoughts about the programs that the Office on Women's Health currently has
or is planning for the future on girls' health, especially the www.4girls.gov website. The group will have regularly
scheduled conference calls and email exchanges to provide OWH with feedback on an ongoing
basis. Over the next several months we will feature The Sounding Board on the 4girls
website; we will tell you about each of the young women, their hopes and dreams, the
activities they love and much more. We will also be asking each girl periodically to write
for the website; perhaps on a book they recommend or a movie they enjoyed. Look for them
soon on www.4girls.gov.
FREE 4GIRLS.GOV POSTERS ARE NOW
AVAILABLE FROM NWHIC!!
Call NWHIC at 1-800-994-9662 to request a
free poster of the 4Girls Health web site for the young lady in your life.
JULY FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE
According to the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission, an estimated 350 children under five years of age drown each year in
swimming pools, many in residential pools. The Commission estimates that another 2,600
children under age five are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year following
submersion incidents. Some of these submersions result in permanent brain damage.
Nationally, drowning is a leading cause of
death to children under five.
The key to preventing these tragedies is to
have layers of protection. This includes placing barriers around your pool to prevent
access, using pool alarms, closely supervising your child and being prepared in case of an
emergency. CPSC offers tips to prevent drowning. To read them, please go to: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5097.html.
GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR JULY 2003
The Guest Editor Article on NWHIC's site
this month is: Managing Serious Chronic
Illness such as Bone Marrow Failure Disease. From Marilyn Baker, of the Aplastic
Anemia and MDS International Foundation.
THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE "BOX"
This is the monthly segment that includes
suggestions for alternatives to watching television. Television cuts into family time,
affects our children's ability to read and succeed in school, and contributes to unhealthy
lifestyles and obesity. Here are just a few of the facts:
On average, children in the
US will spend more time in front of the television (1,023 hours) than in school this year
(900 hours).
Forty percent of Americans
frequently or always watch television during dinner.
As the former US Surgeon General Dr. David
Satcher said at the Kick Off of TV-Turnoff Week 2001, "We are raising the most
overweight generation of youngsters in American history...This week is about saving
lives." Turning off the television gives us a chance to think, read, create, and do.
It also gives us the opportunity to connect with our families and engage in our
communities. So turn off TV and turn on life!!
Real World
Half-Hour: Take a moment to spend quiet time with your family. Start your day by
preparing breakfast together or end it by making dinner.
A Young and Restful
Hour: Try to exercise for 20 to 30 minutes, preferably a few hours before
bedtime. Studies show that regular physical activity helps sleep!
Entertain Yourself
Tonight: Plan a Family Game Night and play or create board games, read chapters
of your favorite book or a deck of Uno® cards. Involve your children and their friends.
One Life to Live
Healthy: Including physical activity in your daily schedule doesn't need to be
difficult. Take the steps instead of the elevator, mow your lawn, play with your dog for
20 to 30 minutes a day!
TV Free Week: Now
that you've saved more than 24 hours in personal time, do something fun for yourself like
a manicure and pedicure. Pick up a new book, take a class or visit a relative or friend.
You can learn more about this campaign by
going to: www.tvturnoff.org/.
COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!
Studies have shown that diets centered
around a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans are linked to lower risks
of developing several cancers. The recipes provided by the American Institute for Cancer
Research (www.aicr.org/index.lasso) are high
fiber and full of flavor. Mix and match your favorite recipes for a new dinner experience.
SOUP:
Watercress Soup with Shrimp:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/soupssearch.lasso?recipeid=504
Spring Pea Soup:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/soupssearch.lasso?recipeid=488
SALAD:
Blue and White Salad:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/saladssearch.lasso?recipeid=449
Spinach, Romaine & Strawberries with
Balsamic Vinaigrette:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/saladssearch.lasso?recipeid=346
ENTRÉE:
Sicilian Spaghetti:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/entreessearch.lasso?recipeid=287
Grilled Halibut with Rosemary and Tomato
Basil Sauce:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/entreessearch.lasso?recipeid=448
PASTA & RICE:
Spring Asparagus with Pasta:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/pastasearch.lasso?recipeid=431
Wild Rice Stuffing with Portobello
Mushrooms:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/pastasearch.lasso?recipeid=404
SIDE DISHES:
Greek Stuffed Vegetables:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/veggiessearch.lasso?recipeid=501
Basil Green Beans:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/veggiessearch.lasso?recipeid=370
NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES IN JULY
- Hemachromatosis Screening Awareness Month
- Eye Injury Prevention Month
- International Group B Strep Awareness Month
- Fireworks Safety Month (June 1 - July 4)
- National Therapeutic Recreation Week (6-12)
THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH
Iron Overload and Hemachromatosis -
Information for Patience and their Families:
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/hemochromatosis/patient_info.htm
Group B Streptococcal Disease (GBS):
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/groupbstrep_g.htm
Fireworks:
www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/012.html
Workplace Eye Safety:
www.preventblindness.org/safety/worksafe.html
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