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

Healthy Women Today
September 2003

FROM THE NWHIC PROJECT MANAGER

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

September is the month for getting back to business in our lives...vacations are over and school is back in session. It's also a good time to get serious about scheduling your check-ups and screenings for good health. As you will see in our September newsletter, it's Gynecologic Cancer Awareness month, and the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation reminds you to do a personal inventory of your gynecologic cancer risk. Please also encourage the men in your lives to make an appointment for a prostate screening because September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Schedule a visit with your health care provider on September 16, in celebration of "Take A Loved One to the Doctor" Day.

September also means your child might need some immunizations for the upcoming school year. This year, while your little one receives his or her shots, have your healthcare provider check your own medical records. Are you due for a booster? Shots such as Hepatitis A & B are important if you travel outside of the country. Children under the age of 12 who are traveling outside the US should have a tetanus-diphtheria booster if they have not finished their series. For more information on vaccinations for travelers, visit: www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm. For additional information on vaccinations for adults visit: www.nia.nih.gov/health/agepages/shots.htm.

Take a moment to remember and honor those who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11th. As we observe the 2nd anniversary of Patriot Day, we will not forget the events of that terrible morning nor will we forget how Americans responded in New York City, the Pentagon, and in the skies over Pennsylvania with heroism and selflessness; with compassion and courage; and with prayer and hope. Those whom we lost September 11 will forever hold a treasured place in our hearts. There are still resources available for those needing assistance: www.mentalhealth.org/cmhs/EmergencyServices/

This issue of the newsletter will discuss some exciting new events and services provided by NWHIC, including our new site 4Girls Health (www.4girls.gov) and our Breastfeeding Helpline.

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

IMPORTANT NWHIC & OWH NEWS

Menopause and Hormone TherapyNEW MENOPAUSE MODULE ON 4WOMAN.GOV!!!!!
Women are often curious about what will happen when they reach menopause! To help alleviate these concerns, NWHIC has developed a new web module containing resources and information on the period prior to menopause; perimenopause, signs and symptoms of menopause, recommendations, how to talk to your doctor and information regarding alternative therapies. 
Learn more by going to: www.4woman.gov/menopause.

STEPS TO A HEALTHIER US INITIATIVE: 2nd National Steps to a Healthier US Summit - March 18-19, 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland

Submit an Abstract for the Summit Online at: http://steps2004.iqsolutions.com/abstracts/

The deadline for submission is October 31, 2003.

If you have any questions about the Summit, please contact:
Nancy Stanisic
202-260-3601
nstanisic@osophs.dhhs.gov

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 in English and Spanish, 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 or TDD 1-888-220-5446.

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

FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT AND PROMOTION INFORMATION FREE FROM NWHIC!

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health recognizes the critical role of knowledgeable health care professionals in promoting and supporting breastfeeding.

The Office on Women's Health supported The American Academy of Pediatrics in the development of the AAP Speaker's Kit on Breastfeeding Promotion and Management that will enable health care professionals to educate themselves and their colleagues while spreading the message about breastfeeding in the community.

The CD-ROM, "Breastfeeding Support and Promotion," provides a comprehensive discussion of the key topic areas, including management strategies for common breastfeeding challenges. Speaker's notes are available with each slide on the CD-ROM.

Ten Steps to Support Parents' Choice to Breastfeed Their Baby, also included in the kit, is a culturally effective poster/brochure adapted in consultation with the National Center for Cultural Competence and the 11-organization project advisory committee for the AAP/Maternal and Child Health Bureau-funded Breastfeeding Promotion in Physicians' Office Practices program, that shares healthcare provider's commitment to breastfeeding promotion and support with their patients. Health professionals may request a free copy of the kit by calling NWHIC at 1-800-994-9662.

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!!!

http://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. The 4Girls Health web site www.4girls.gov 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 factsheets on topics such as cardiovascular health, nutrition, Pap tests and birth control. You may view these at: 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: www.4woman.gov/fund/.

SEPTEMBER FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DRUG ABUSE AND TREATMENT

Research indicates that women can become addicted quickly to certain drugs, such as crack cocaine, even after casual or experimental use. Therefore, by the time a woman enters treatment, she may be severely addicted, making treatment more difficult. This is also true when a woman becomes dependent on prescription painkillers.

GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR SEPTEMBER 2003

The Guest Editor Article on NWHIC's site this month is: 
Women and Drinking (http://www.4woman.gov/editor/sep03/) 
by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE "BOX"

Because children are influenced by what their parents do, it is important that whatever effort you make to exercise more, eat better, or watch less TV is done as a family. In this situation, turning off the TV becomes a great family endeavor, a way to bond and spend time together. Start with our TV-Turnoff Tips and then be sure to turn on life.

  • Move your television to a less prominent location.
  • Keep the TV off during meals.
  • Designate certain days of the week as TV-free days.
  • Do not use television as a reward.
  • Listen to music or the radio for background noise.
  • Cancel your cable subscription and use the money for books.
  • Don't worry if children claim to be bored. Boredom passes and often leads to creativity.

You can learn more about this campaign by going to: www.tvturnoff.org/.

COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!

Now that the kids are back in school, they're hungry... and they're hungry NOW. In celebration of Family Health Month, NWHIC is featuring quick dishes, ready to eat in 30 minutes or less from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) www.nhlbi.nih.gov.

Cannery Row Soup:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/canrowsp.htm

20 Minute Chicken Creole:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/20minckn.htm

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

Stir-Fried Beef and Vegetables:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/sfbandv.htm

Oriental Rice:
http://rover2.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/orierice.htm

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

NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES IN SEPTEMBER

  • Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month
  • Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
  • National Cholesterol Education Month
  • Baby Safety Month
  • National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
  • Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (14-20)
  • National 5 A Day Week (21-27)
  • Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day (16)
  • National Women's Health and Fitness Day (24)

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH

Gynecological Cancers:
http://prg.nci.nih.gov/gyno/default.html

Eating Your Way to 5 A Day:
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fda5aday.html

Frequently Asked Questions about Alcohol Treatment:
www.4woman.gov/faq/sa-alcoh.htm

Baby Proofing Your Home:
www.nsc.org/library/facts/babyprf.htm

Energize Yourself! Stay Physically Active:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/chdblack/energiz1.htm

WHO IS USING NWHIC'S SERVICES?

Again, New York 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.

Our most frequently asked health topics this month were requests for information on: Breastfeeding, State Health Department, Menopause, Breast Cancer, and Health Care Access.

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