 Healthy
Women Today
November 2003
FROM THE NWHIC PROJECT DIRECTOR
U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Office
on Women's Health (OWH)
Fall has always been my favorite season of the year with the
burst of color in the trees, crisp air, pumpkins and apples, and the rediscovery for me of
childhood memories from growing up in New England. As my mom did with me, I strive to
teach my young son how to appreciate the wonders each season has to offer. This fall we
focused on the importance of the fall harvest. We had fun carving the pumpkins (scary
faces were my son's preference), baking and eating the pumpkin seeds and attempting to
bake muffins with the pumpkin itself! My son really enjoyed these activities and hopefully
learned about the role nature plays in our daily lives. As we enter another holiday
season, remember to focus on the things in life for which we are most grateful: family,
friends, and our health.
During the month of November, the American
Diabetes Association (http://www.diabetes.org)
emphasizes the importance of regular physical activity and a balanced diet to reduce the
risk of diabetes complications. The latest research has identified diabetes as the 6th
largest killer of American adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state
that over 17 million American have diabetes, however 5.9 million aren't even aware of it.
The Great American Smokeout is scheduled
for the 20th of this month. On this day millions of Americans try to quit
smoking for a day or longer. This nationally recognized event challenges people to
discontinue tobacco use and highlights the many successful ways to quit for good. The
National Women's Health Information Center also offers helpful information and resources
on smoking cessation. Visit our Smoking Page "A Breath of Fresh Air! Independence
from Smoking!" at: (http://www.4woman.gov/QuitSmoking/index.cfm).
You can also contact our toll-free call center to order free material on smoking cessation
at: 1-800-994-9662.
Do something positive for yourself this month. Sign up for an
exercise class, eat some delicious fall produce, plan a hike or a campout in the crisp
mountain air. It is also a great opportunity to take to the outdoors with your kids. Go to
a local orchard and pick apples or rake leaves together. On the cooler
days, collect the beautiful and varied fall leaves and press them in books --
they make wonderful table decorations for the fall holidays.Below, you will find
healthy recipes for Thanksgiving. Get together with family or friends, and assign a recipe
to each person, or make a dish together for sharing! Bring some extra canned goods to your
local shelter, and vow that this year, you will remember the needs of others all year
long.
Valerie Scardino, M.P.A.
NWHIC Project Director, Office on Women's Health, DHHS
IMPORTANT NWHIC & OWH NEWS
NOW AVAILABLE! "A Lifetime of
Good Health, Your Guide to Staying Healthy" -The Prevention Guide:
You can now request copies of NWHIC's own prevention guide. This
attractive, easy-to-read guide offers basic information that every adult woman needs to
know to protect her health and the health of the ones she loves. It's chock-full of useful
information such as recommended screenings and immunizations and provides tips on topics
such as maintaining a healthy pregnancy, healthy lungs and healthy eyes, just to name a
few. You can order your copy now by calling NWHIC at 1-800-994-9662. Spanish and Chinese
versions will be available SOON!
ATTENTION ---- New Dates! STEPS TO
A HEALTHIER US INITIATIVE: 2nd National Steps to a Healthier US Summit
- April 29th - 30th, 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Submit an Abstract for the Summit Online
at: http://steps2004.iqsolutions.com/abstracts/
The deadline for submission is November 30,
2003.
If you have any questions about the Summit,
please contact:
Nancy Stanisic
202-260-3601
nstanisic@osophs.dhhs.gov
CALL NOW TO RESERVE YOUR COPY OF
THE 2004 WOMEN'S HEALTH DAYBOOK, "Wellness Starts With You: Women's Steps to a
Healthier US"! Our annual Daybook offers comprehensive information on a
variety of health topics along with other valuable resources. Reserve your copy by calling
us at: 1-800-994-9662!
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/index.htm.
THE NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS CAMPAIGN:
Breastfeeding Helpline! NWHIC Can
Answer Your Basic Breastfeeding Questions - Do you have questions about
breastfeeding? NWHIC can help you with your basic concerns. Our trained Breastfeeding
Counselors 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 online. They may also
be reproduced as needed. Please share these links with your friends and family members who
are breastfeeding or who would like to learn more about 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
NEW! "AN EASY GUIDE TO
BREASTFEEDING FOR AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE FAMILIES" - This
publication provides helpful information and encouragement to American Indian and Alaska
Native women to breastfeed. It explains the benefits of breastfeeding for baby, mom and
society, and it also provides frequently asked questions and answers about breastfeeding.
It also stresses the importance of breastfeeding in the American Indian and Alaska Native
community, provides information on how this issue is being addressed, and how to talk to
your health care provider about breastfeeding.
NOVEMBER FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE
Frequently Asked Questions About
Smoking
Is smoking a major cause of lung
cancer in women?
Many people think that lung cancer affects
mostly men. But even though we hear more about breast cancer, lung cancer is the leading
cause of cancer deaths in women. And nearly all lung cancer deaths in women are due to
smoking. Quitting smoking now is one important change you can make to improve your lung
and overall health and live longer. Former smokers have a lower risk for lung cancer than
do current smokers. In one to nine months after quitting smoking, your lungs will function
better. And after 10 years, your risk of lung cancer is nearly the same as someone who
never smoked.
To read more about the effects of smoking,
please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/smoking.htm
GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR NOVEMBER 2003
The featured health article for the month
comes from FDA Consumer Magazine July-August 2003 Issue, by Linda Bren.
Alzheimer's: Searching for a Cure:
http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2003/403_alz.html
COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!
Just in time for the holiday season, the
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov)
has come up with tasty "Holiday Fare" that's just right for any diet! These
low-calorie, low-fat, low-sodium recipes are perfect for those on restricted diets or if
you simply want to watch your weight during the holiday season. They are also a great with
any turkey dinner!
Remember, The best way to be sure a turkey
-- or any meat -- is cooked safely and done is to use a food thermometer. If the
temperature of the turkey as measured in the thigh has reached 180 °F and is done to
family preference, all the meat -- including any that remains pink -- is safe to eat.
Smothered Greens with Turkey:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/smogrens.htm
Candied Yams:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/yams.htm
Good for you Cornbread:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/cornbrd.htm
1-2-3 Peach Cobbler:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/peachcob.htm
Homemade Turkey Soup:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/homtrksp.htm
Turkey Basics - Safe Cooking:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/pubs/tbcook.htm
Turkey Basics - Stuffing:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OA/pubs/tbstuff.htm
NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES IN NOVEMBER
- American Diabetes Month
- National Marrow Awareness Month
- National Healthy Skin Month
- Lung Cancer Awareness Month
- National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month
- National Allied Health Week (2-8)
- National Adoption Week (16-22)
- GERD Awareness Week (23-29)
- Great American Smokeout (20)
You can find health observances for the
entire year in the National
Health Observances Calendar.
THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH
Refresh Yourself! Stop Smoking:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/chdblack/refresh.htm
Alzheimer's Disease - Unraveling the
Mystery:
http://www.alzheimers.org/unraveling/index.htm
Bone Marrow Transplants come of Age
www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2000/400_bone.html
Adoption: Where Do I Start?
http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/
WHO IS USING NWHIC'S SERVICES?
California 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 frequent health topic requests
this month were requests for information on: Menopause, Breastfeeding, Breast Cancer,
State Health Department and Diabetes.
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