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

Healthy Women Today
August 2003

FROM THE NWHIC PROJECT OFFICER

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

It's now August, and many women's health activities are well underway. Thank you for requesting to receive the National Women's Health Information Center's e-newsletter HEALTHY WOMEN TODAY! This issue features information on healthy recipes and simple steps to help keep you in shape for the rest of this summer. We are also highlighting information on breastfeeding in support of World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7). We encourage you to read our Breastfeeding specialty page, "Breastfeeding - Best for Baby! Best for Mom!" by going to: http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/. Our Breastfeeding page supports the U.S. Surgeon General's recommendation that babies be fed with breast milk only - no formula - for the first 6 months of life. It is better to breastfeed for 6 months and best to breastfeed for 12 months or for as long as both you and your baby wish.

OWH and NWHIC have also gone a step further to meet the needs of moms who want to breastfeed and their families. The Information Specialists at NWHIC are trained to respond to general questions on breastfeeding and to offer support and resources to overcome problems with breastfeeding. As a breastfeeding mother, or the friend or family member of someone who is breastfeeding, we hope that you will contact us for help. We can give you tips on how to get started, where to go for help, how you can involve your husband/partner/family members, how to handle challenges, and how breastfeeding will benefit your baby. Our service is free and we are here to help you. You can even leave a message 24 hours a day 7 days a week and we'll call you back during business hours. Our help-line number is: 1-800-994-9662.

Until our next edition, savor the remaining warm days of this summer. Be sure to warm-up and stretch before that swim or walk. And as always, remember sunscreen for yourself and your family! Until next month, stay healthy...

Valerie Scardino, M.P.A.
NWHIC Project Director, DHHS, Office on Women's Health,

IMPORTANT NWHIC & OWH NEWS

THE NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS CAMPAIGN:

NEW Helpline!!! NWHIC Can Answer Your Basic Breastfeeding Questions - Do you have questions about breastfeeding? NWHIC can help you with your basic breastfeeding concerns. Our trained Information Specialists can answer breastfeeding questions, order free breastfeeding publications for you and direct you to organizations that can provide you with additional assistance. Call us today at: 1-800-994-9662. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about breastfeeding.

Why should I breastfeed?

  • Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. Breast milk has just the right amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development. Most babies find it easier to digest breast milk than they do formula.

  • Breast milk has agents (called antibodies) in it to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses. Breastfed babies are more able to fight off infection and disease, such as diarrhea, ear infections, allergies and asthma. They are sick less often and have fewer visits to health care providers.

  • Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose the pounds of pregnancy. It also helps the uterus to get back to its original size and lessens any bleeding you might have after giving birth.

  • Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast cancer and may lower the risk of ovarian cancer.

  • Breastfeeding can help you bond with your baby. Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, and warm and comforted.

How long should I breastfeed?

One of the best things that only you can do is to breastfeed your baby for as long as possible. The longer a mom and baby breastfeeds, the greater the benefits are for both mom and baby. Babies should be fed with breast milk only - no formula - for the first six months of life. Ideally, though, babies should receive breast milk through the first year of life, or for as long as both you and your baby wish. Solid foods can be added to your baby's diet, while you continue to breastfeed, when your baby is six months old. For at least the first six months, breastfed babies don't need supplements of water, juice, or other fluids. These can interfere with your milk supply if they are introduced during this time.

FREE BREASTFEEDING INFORMATION PACKETS NOW AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH AND CHINESE!!!  These information sheets are available through our toll-free call center 1-800-994-9662, and on-line. They may also be reproduced as needed. Please share these links with your friends and family members who are breastfeeding or interested in breastfeeding.

Spanish: www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/Spanish/sp-breastfeeding.pdf

Chinese: www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/bf-chinese.pdf

English: www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/Breastfeeding.pdf

CALL NOW TO RESERVE YOUR COPY OF THE 2004 WOMEN'S HEALTH DAYBOOK, "Wellness Starts With You: Women's Steps to a Healthier U.S."!!! Our annual Daybook offers comprehensive information on a variety of health topics along with valuable resources. Reserve your copy by calling us at: 1-800-994-9662!!!

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. The www.4girls.gov web site was developed by the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services to give girls between the ages of 10 and 16 reliable, current health information. The site focuses on many health topics that respond to adolescent girls' health concerns and motivates girls to choose healthy behaviors using positive, supportive and non-threatening messages.

NEW SPANISH FAQs NOW AVAILABLE!!!! NWHIC has created several new Spanish Frequently Asked Question publications on topics such as, cardiovascular health, nutrition, pap screenings and contraception. You may view these at: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/Spanish/ or contact NWHIC to place an individual request.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: The Office on Women's Health would like to highlight a number of new funding opportunities. You may view them by going to: http://www.4woman.gov/fund/.

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES:

"Secretary of Health and Human Services Regarding the Report of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health."

The President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health delivered a thorough and thoughtful report in response to the President's call to study comprehensively America's mental health service system and advise the President as to how the system could be improved. This historic report, Achieving the Promise: Transforming Mental Health Care in America, marks a significant milestone in our efforts to fulfill the goals of the President's New Freedom Initiative to enable people with disabilities, including people with mental illnesses, to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. You may read more by going to: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20030722.html.

GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR AUGUST 2003

The Guest Editor Article on NWHIC's site this month is: Breastfeeding - Encouraging the Best for Low Income Women by Minda Lazarov, M.S. and Amy Evans, B.A. www.4woman.gov/editor/Aug03.

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE "BOX"

Children, who spend more total time watching television, including those who eat meals in front of the tube, are more likely to be overweight as reported by the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

Americans watch on average four hours of television a day. Watching TV is our most popular pastime, and it seems that we spend about as much time talking about it as we do watching. As an abundance of evidence makes clear, our television habit has serious, negative consequences. Find out how to substitute TV time with family time or simply create more time for yourself by reading below.

A Guiding Light Half-Hour: Start your day with a refreshing walk. Invite a friend or walk with your dog. Pets need exercise too, you know.

Home Improvement Hour: Redecorate a room or rearrange furniture. Painting or wall papering will definitely provide a great cardio workout.

2-Hour Extreme Makeover: Take a relaxing bath with soothing music, bath oils or bath salts. Don't forget the new book you've been meaning to read also.

Be Bold Be Beautiful Everyday: Try a new class, cooking, dance or something exciting like kickboxing.

TV Free Week: Now that you've saved more than 24 hours in personal time, do something fun for yourself or with your family like relaxing in the sun. Pick up a new book, take a class or visit a relative or friend.

You can learn more about this campaign to encourage people to turn off the TV by going to: www.tvturnoff.org/.

COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY

Are you looking to add a little variety to your family dinners these days? Why not try one of the following recipes from the National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute's (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/) "Stay Young at Heart" series? These heart-healthy recipes offer an assortment of textures, colors, and aromas that will spice up any meal. A single copy of this recipe packet may be ordered from the URL provided above, free of charge. Start eating heart-healthier tonight!

Soups:

Rockport Fish Chowder:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/rockchow.htm

Gazpacho:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/gazpacho.htm

Sides:

Green Beans Sauté:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/grebeasa.htm

Sweet and Sour Seashells:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/ssseashl.htm

Entrees:

Summer Vegetable Spaghetti:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/sumvegsp.htm

Chicken Gumbo:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/ckngumbo.htm

Desserts:

Mousse a la Banana:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/banamous.htm

Rice Pudding:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/ricepudd.htm

Beverages:

Mango Shake:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/mangoshk.htm

Summer Breezes Smoothie:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/sumbreez.htm

NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES IN AUGUST

  • World Breastfeeding Week (1-7)
  • National Minority Donor Awareness Day (1)
  • Cataract Awareness Month
  • National Immunization Awareness Month
  • Children's Eye Health and Safety Month
  • Psoriasis Awareness Month
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophy Month

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH

HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding -
http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/bf.cfm?page=233

Breast Milk or Formula: Making the Right Choice for Your Baby -
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/reprints/breastfed.html

An Easy Guide to Breastfeeding for African American Women -
http://www.4woman.gov/owh/pub/aabreastfeeding/

Ten Steps to Support Parents' Choice to Breastfeed Their Baby -
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/bf/tensteps.pdf

A Woman's Guide to Breastfeeding -
http://www.aap.org/family/brstguid.htm

Breastfeeding Basics #1: Thinking About Breastfeeding -
http://www.nncc.org/Nutrition/bf1.think.html

For reliable publications on over 800 health topics, check out our A-Z search at http://www.4woman.gov/search/search.cfm, or call 1-800-994-9662.

WHO IS USING NWHIC's SERVICES?

In June, our toll-free Information and referral line received the most calls from New York. Help your state become our "number one" state by encouraging your friends, colleagues and family members to call our toll-free center if they need information on women's health topics!

The most popular NWHIC web pages in June were:

On Line Medical Dictionaries and Journals
http://www.4woman.gov/nwhic/references/dictionary.htm

Ovulation Calculator
http://www.4woman.gov/pregnancy/ovulation1.cfm

The First Trimester
http://www.4woman.gov/Pregnancy/first.htm

Healthy Pregnancy
http://www.4woman.gov/Pregnancy/

The most popular focus terms for the month of June were: Menopause, Pregnancy, Health Care Access, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Gynecology.

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