Healthy Women Today
December 2003

FROM THE NWHIC PROJECT DIRECTOR

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

It's hard to believe that in a few weeks 2003 will draw to a close. This is not only the time of year to look back at all of our past successes, but also to look forward to the season filled with giving, family and tradition. For me, December brings with it a sense of holiday spirit for this time of year. Trimming our house with holiday decorations, getting ready for parties with friends and preparing delicious meals with my family. From baking cookies to securing the last bow, I am always grateful to have the opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends throughout December.

The season of celebrations is almost in full swing. With office parties, neighborhood Open Houses, and New Year's Eve celebrations it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and indulge a little too much. With parties often comes alcohol. This season you may want to stress the importance of celebrating without alcohol to your children and even start a new tradition yourself. When celebrating, offer alternatives to alcohol such as sparkling cider or rum-free eggnog. If guests drink alcohol, offer designated drivers or see if your city offers a sober-ride home. Most major cities offer free taxi rides during the holidays. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers information on starting a designated driver program in your area.

This month can bring about a lot of stress in buying the "perfect" gifts for loved ones. While shopping this holiday season, remember that December is Safe Toys and Gifts Month. The first step in safe toy buying is to carefully examine the toy to see if it is appropriate for the child in question. Use the age label on the package as a guideline, not as an absolute. Second, examine the toy for quality. Check for any small parts or sharp edges. Remember to periodically check all toys for breakage and potential hazards. If you have the means, try to embark on the stress free and rewarding act of buying a gift (s) for families less fortunate. This year the Office on Women's Health is starting a new and hopefully lasting custom of adopting a family. Together we will be able to purchase gifts for a single mother and her five children -- an act that will hopefully brighten their holiday season.

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for contributing to the success of NWHIC in 2003. This year has been our best yet and we largely owe that success in part to you! We hope that NWHIC has provided you and your loved ones with information to help you stay informed and healthy. Please make time for yourself during the busy holiday season so you stay healthy through all you have to do. You deserve it!

As always ... Happy Holidays from everyone at the Office on Women's Health.

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

IMPORTANT NWHIC & OWH NEWS

NOW AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH AND CHINESE! "A LIFETIME OF GOOD HEALTH, YOUR GUIDE TO STAYING HEALTHY" -THE PREVENTION GUIDE: In addition to the English version, this helpful guide is also available in Spanish and Chinese. This attractive, easy-to-read guide offers basic information that every woman needs to know to protect her health and the health of the ones she loves. It's 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.

SHARE YOUR STORY: YOU MAY HAVE HIV/AIDS OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO DOES… If you have insight or advice that can help other women, please share your stories or experiences. If you prefer, you do not have to share your name. NWHIC is dedicated to helping women with HIV/AIDS and would like to provide our readers with real stories from women affected by this disease. Your story would appear on a new and upcoming NWHIC web site section called Women and HIV/AIDS. The site will be launched in early 2004.

SAVE THE DATE! WOMEN'S SUMMIT ON ORGAN DONATION JANUARY 15, 2004 The Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health invites you to attend the Women's Summit on Organ Donation: Reaching Our Communities on Thursday, January 15, 2004 from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Attend and help make a difference!

OUR MEN'S HEALTH PAGE HAS A WHOLE NEW LOOK. NWHIC has updated the men's health page online to include even more valuable information about the leading health concerns for men. You can view the web site at http://www.4woman.gov/mens/.

ORDER YOUR FREE 4GIRLS.GOV POSTER NOW! Order a www.4girls.gov poster to use at a conference, to put up at your office or to give to a special girl this holiday season. Call 1-800-994-9662 to order or click on this link: http://www.4girls.gov/4girls.cfm?page=freestuff/index.htm.

SIX NEW NATIONAL CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE IN WOMEN'S HEALTH DESIGNATED

On September 30, 2003, the Office on Women's Health designated six new National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health, model academic health centers that will provide integrated and comprehensive women's health services across the United States.

The new centers are at the University of Arizona, Brown University, the University of Minnesota, the University of Mississippi Medical Center, the Oregon Health and Science University, and Virginia Commonwealth University. The centers will serve as "one-stop shopping" models targeted to the health care needs of women. They join 13 previously funded CoEs and 12 National Community Centers of Excellence in Women's Health (CCOE) across the Nation.*

Each of the CoEs will provide the following:

An integrated model for the delivery of clinical health care services to women with an emphasis on prevention and early detection of diseases and conditions;
A multi-disciplinary research agenda focused on women's health issues;
Coordination between clinical services in academic centers and surrounding communities;
Educational programs and materials for the general public and health care professionals on women's health;
The integration of a women's health focus into medical school curriculum;
Efforts to foster the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women in academic medical careers;
Networking within the community to form alliances with business groups, consumer groups, scientific organizations and public policy leaders; and
An evaluation plan to assess project outcomes and effectiveness.

If you live nearby, call a new CoE to find out how you can become a patient to receive medical care at their clinical care center, or to receive important health information:

University of Arizona, Tucson: 520-694-6010
Brown University/Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI: 617-638-7428/9563
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis: 612-626-3444
University of Mississippi, Jackson: 601-815-3281
Oregon Health and Sciences University: 503-418-4500
Virginia Commonwealth University: 866-829-6626

* More information on the National Centers of Excellence in Women's Health is available at http://www.4woman.gov/coe. More information on the National Community Centers of Excellence in Women's Health is available at http://www.4woman.gov/owh/CCOE/.

THE NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS CAMPAIGN:

BREASTFEEDING HELPLINE! NWHIC CAN ANSWER YOUR BREASTFEEDING QUESTIONS - Do you have questions about breastfeeding? NWHIC can help you with your breastfeeding concerns. As trained breastfeeding peer counselors, we can help you with common breastfeeding issues such as nursing positions, questions about pumping and storage, tips for working moms who breastfeed, and financial resources. We also will provide you with the support that moms and dads need to make breastfeeding a success. Call us today at: 1-800-994-9662 or TDD 1-888-220-5446. This service is available in both English and Spanish.

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 answers to frequently asked questions 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.

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!

DECEMBER FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLES

HHS AWARDS $23 MILLION TO HELP COMMUNITIES PROVIDE EARLY HIV/AIDS CARE
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20030701b.html

NEW FAQs about HIV/AIDS in Spanish Now Available
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/Spanish/aids.htm

GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR DECEMBER 2003

The featured health article for the month comes from the Whitman Walker Clinic in Washington D.C. and highlights the special programs this clinic has set up for HIV positive women who are living with this disease.

HIV-Positive Women and Barriers to Care

COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!

Just in Time for the Holidays

December is the perfect month to showcase your cooking skills. If you have trouble coming up with heart healthy alternatives to those traditional holiday dishes, we have some delicious recipes to help you get through 2003 and well into 2004. With the help of a colorful new cookbook from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, you'll be whipping up fabulous fare in no time. The cookbook takes aim at heart disease by serving up a collection of simple recipes and tips based on years of research, clinical studies, and educational programs.

The 145-page book, "Keep the Beat: Heart Healthy Recipes," contains recipes that can complement any holiday table or serve as a special treat to yourself or your family.

Here are some perfect recipes for the cold months ahead:

Home Made Turkey Soup
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/ktb_recipebk/ktb_soups.pdf

Chicken Marsala
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/ktb_recipebk/ktb_maindish.pdf

Italian Vegetable Bake
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/ktb_recipebk/ktb_sidedish.pdf

Home-style Biscuits
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/ktb_recipebk/ktb_bread.pdf

Winter Crisp
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/ktb_recipebk/ktb_dessert.pdf

In addition to over 100 recipes, the book contains useful and healthy information such as how to read nutrition labels, what a serving size really is, and simple substitutions that are heart-friendly. It also contains information on how what you eat can help you to control three key risk factors for heart disease-overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol levels.

"Keep the Beat: Heart Healthy Recipes" can be downloaded free of charge at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/ktb_recipebk/index.htm. Printed copies are available for $4.00 through the website or from the NHLBI Information Center at P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105, or at 301-592-8573 or 240-629-3255 (TTY).

OWH and NWHIC AROUND TOWN

Have you ever wanted to meet the people behind OWH and NWHIC? Here is your chance to introduce yourself face to face. We'd love to meet you at one of the upcoming conferences we will be attending this month. If you're in town, please drop by our booth to ask us questions about NWHIC or OWH or just stop in and say hi.

OWH or NWHIC representatives will be at the following locations in December:

New Orleans, LA
December 3 - December 5
"Taking Action: Implementing the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention"
Bi-Regional Suicide Conference (HHS/OWH Region IV and VI)
Intercontinental Hotel

To advance the implementation of the national strategy by providing a tailored training opportunity to key stakeholders in each state.
Web site: www.sprc.org

Sponsored by: OPHS/Office of Women's Health, Suicide Prevention Resource Center, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Indian Health Services, National Institutes of Health, Health Resources and Services Administration & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Tampa, FL
December 5
White House Faith based and Community Initiatives
Tampa Convention Center

The White House Conferences on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives will educate attendees about the President's initiative in realizing that all groups, faith-based or secular, should compete on a level playing field so long as they fulfill legal requirements. The conferences will provide participants with information about the Federal funding process, available funding opportunities, the requirements that come with the receipt of Federal funds, and cutting-edge practices from other organizations.

Sponsored by: Departments of Justice, Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Education and the Agency for International Development.
Website: www.whitehouse.gov/government/fbci/
Boston, MA
December 10-12
"Surviving and Thriving in Difficult Financial Times"
2003 National Conference on Tobacco or Health
Marriott Copley Place

The purpose of the National Conference on Tobacco or Health is to help improve and sustain the effectiveness and reach of tobacco control programs and activities in the United States. Conference participants will learn the latest evidence on what works in tobacco control and how to apply current research findings, learn practical ways to improve tobacco control programs, renew their energy and commitment to tobacco control, and exchange valuable ideas and tips with colleagues.

Government Sponsors: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Office on Smoking and Health, National Cancer Institute, National Institute on Drug Abuse, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, American Heart Association, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, American Lung Association and the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
Website: www.tobaccocontrolconference.org/2003Conference/

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH

NEW Chinese Prevention Guide now available! Call 1-800-994-9662 and request your copy

It's flu season again! Stay informed and protect yourself. See this link for more information about flu vaccinations brought to you by the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/gallery.htm

Living with AIDS-- You might also want to share this booklet with your friends and family. It will help you, and them, understand more about HIV. http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/brochure/livingwithhiv.htm

Frequently Asked Questions on HIV/AIDS
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/faqs.htm

Aplastic Anemia
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00322

An Ounce of Prevention: Keeps the Germs Away
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/op/handwashing.htm

Impaired Driving Fact Sheet
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/drving.htm

For Kids' Sake: Think Toy Safety
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/281.html

FEATURED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES/SPECIAL PROGRAMS

NATIONAL AIDS HOTLINE
1-800-342-AIDS
http://www.ashastd.org/nah/

The CDC National AIDS Hotline, including its Spanish Service and TTY Service, is operated under contract by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The hotline handles about 1 million calls per year -- about 2,740 calls per day -- from people with questions about prevention, risk, testing, treatment and other HIV/AIDS related concerns. Information Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can answer questions, provide referrals, and send free publications through email and postal mail

CENTER FOR HIV, STD AND TB PREVENTION-ADVANCING HIV PREVENTION http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/partners/ahp.htm
CDC's new initiative emphasizes HIV testing, in both medical and non-medical settings, to identify infected persons who are not aware of their own infection and getting them into treatment and prevention services.

APLASTIC ANEMIA
http://www.aamds.org/

WORLD AIDS DAY 2003
http://www.worldaidsday.org/

CDC-NATIONAL DRUNK AND DRUGGED DRIVING MONTH CAMPAIGN
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/duip/spotlite/3d.htm

WHO IS USING NWHIC'S SERVICES?

Maryland produced the most calls to our toll-free Information and Referral line last month. 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 topic requests last month were for information on: Breastfeeding, Menopause, State Health Departments, Thyroid Disease and Prevention.

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Healthy Women Today December 2003