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March Featured Health Article: Eliminating Colorectal Cancer Once and for All By Carolyn Aldigé, President and Founder, Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation Read the rest of the March Featured Health Article... Hot Topics of the Month: |
From the NWHIC Project Director U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services There is more to March then leprechauns and four-leaf clovers. It’s the month where winter slowly changes into spring—the perfect time to start making changes to your personal health. Celebrate National Nutrition Month by trying a new fruit or vegetable. Adding healthy items to meals you eat already is simple. It can be as easy as a few sliced peaches in your morning cereal. Other ways to improve your diet include replacing whole milk with skim, adding low-fat dairy into your diet, or cooking with olive oil instead of vegetable or canola oil--look for new ideas in our recipes section this month to help you out. March 2004 also begins the fifth annual nationwide effort to promote colorectal cancer awareness. Since the screening process for this type of cancer is often an embarrassing or uncomfortable subject, many women may not want to discuss prevention procedures with their primary care physician or gynecologist. However, contrary to popular belief, colon cancer is not only a man’s disease. In fact, it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women—higher than breast cancer or ovarian cancer. Take this month to discuss your screening options with your primary care physician or read our featured article this month “Eliminating Colorectal Cancer Once and for All”, to find out more about colorectal cancer and how you can prevent it. Check to make sure you are up-to-date on your health tests. Since March is also Save Your Vision month, don’t forget about your eyes! Check with your primary care physician to see if you need any eye tests. Most importantly, as the seasons begin to change and tulips begin to
show up on the front lawn, take the time to do something healthy for
yourself and your family. What you invest in yourself today will only
make you a richer person tomorrow. Valerie Scardino, M.P.A. New Images Added to FAQs About Uterine Fibroids You can find these updates on www.4woman.gov/faq/fibroids.htm NATIONAL WOMENS HEALTH WEEK 2004! 2004 WOMEN’S HEALTH DAYBOOK, “WELLNESS STARTS WITH YOU: WOMEN'S STEPS TO A HEALTHIER US!” IS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! Our annual Daybook offers comprehensive information on a variety of health topics along with other valuable resources. Download a copy online at www.4woman.gov or reserve your copy by calling us at: 800-994-9662. BREASTFEEDING HELPLINE! NWHIC CAN ANSWER YOUR BASIC BREASTFEEDING
QUESTIONS FREE BREASTFEEDING INFORMATION PACKETS NOW AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH,
SPANISH, AND CHINESE! This information is also available
through our toll-free call center at 800-994-9662 and on our web site.
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.
2004 MINORITY WOMEN'S HEALTH SUMMIT –SAVE THE DATE! Please visit www.4woman.gov/mwhs for more information & to learn more about the CALL FOR ABSTRACTS. The deadline for abstract submission is APRIL 1, 2004 by 5:00 p.m. EST The following will be available soon: Objectives for the 2004 Minority Women's Health Summit This conference will build on the outcomes of the 1997 National Conference "Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Partnerships to Improve Minority Women's Health." Key areas in women's health including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS will be highlighted. The goals of the conference include:
For more information please contact: Elizabeth
David at (202) 205-0571, Adrienne Smith at (202) 690-5884, or Frances
Ashe-Goins at (202) 690-6373. Antibiotic Resistance: Get Smart, Know When Antibiotics Work NIH Asks Participants in Women's Health Initiative Estrogen-Alone
Study to Stop Study Pills, Begin Follow-up Phase. After careful consideration of the data, NIH has concluded that estrogen alone does not appear to affect (either increase or decrease) heart disease, a key question of the study. At the same time, estrogen alone appears to increase the risk of stroke and decrease the risk of hip fracture. It has not increased the risk of breast cancer during the time period of the study. The NIH decision to stop the estrogen-alone trial was made on February 2, 2004. The report, to be published in a peer-reviewed journal, will include additional data collected through the end of February 2004. The NIH advises women to continue to follow the FDA guidance regarding hormone therapy. Currently the FDA advises postmenopausal women who use or are considering using estrogen or estrogen with progestin to discuss the benefits and risks with their physicians. Additional information: Women's Health Initiative 
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 and OWH or just stop in and say hi. OWH or NWHIC representatives will be at the following locations in March: White House Conference on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives The Federal government is working to make sure that faith-based and community organizations can compete on an equal footing for federal dollars, receive greater private support, and face fewer bureaucratic barriers. For generations, faith-based and community groups have been doing work—often on shoestring budgets—that lifts people's lives in ways that are beyond government's ability. These people and organizations are at the heart of President Bush’s Initiative. Conference goals:
For more information click here: http://www.dtiassociates.com/fbci/logisticsLA.cfm?location=LA 2nd World Congress on Women’s Mental Health The goal of the 2nd World Congress is to present and discuss comprehensive, updated, well-rounded knowledge on women’s mental health. However, first and foremost, they hope to suggest practical, achievable directions for the near future. The complementary goal (which is of utmost importance for achievement) will be increased awareness and education. State-of-the-art developments in biopsychosocial aspects of women’s mental health, psychology, psychopharmacology and other treatments will be center stage, but the driving forces will be integration and practical day-to-day relevance and solutions. Physicians, scientists, mental health professionals, women’s health practitioners, women’s advocates and women who are interested in their own well-being and mental health are invited to present, participate, and listen. You are sure to find topics of interest in one of many program tracks.
For more information click here:
National Hispanic Medical Association Eighth Annual Conference This year’s conference will again showcase model programs from clinics, hospitals, medical schools, nursing schools, dental schools, managed care, State and Federal government offices, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies and others. These programs will be selected from across the United States -- those which are dedicated to quality health care with evidence-based outcomes and evaluation tools targeted to Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Cubans, and Central and South Americans. In addition, we will focus on innovations in Prevention, Treatment, Training and Research. Send in your nominations TODAY! For more information, click here: 2004 Annual Meeting of the Society for Adolescent Medicine The theme for the 2004 annual meeting is “The Young Adolescent.” In the past, 9-13 year olds were considered children or pre-adolescent. However, earlier physical maturation and extensive societal influence to look and act older have led many young teens to engage in at-risk behaviors. Healthcare providers, educators, and researchers are still learning how to meet the unique needs of this group. For more
information click here: Intercultural Cancer Council Initiated in 1987, the Biennial Symposium series provides the stage on which we shine a spotlight on the issue of disproportionate cancer incidence, morbidity and mortality in minority and medically underserved populations in the United States and its associated territories. The Symposium brings together those who represent all aspects and perspectives of the disease in collaboration with the leadership and front-line personnel from the affected communities. Our purpose is to engage in a dialogue that explores issues, finds solutions, and makes recommendations for the various complex problems related to cancer. At the Symposium, decision makers hear, first-hand, from those directly affected by the problem and the policies that surround cancer. Participants from the communities sit at the discussion table to share the most current research, prevention, and treatment strategies. This unique opportunity creates a dynamic synergy in a setting that respects and celebrates our ethnic and cultural diversity, while recognizing our common humanity and the goal of survivorship. That is what keeps us focused on our mutual enemy - cancer.
For more information click here: National Association of School Psychologists Join the NASP in Dallas, TX for the 2004 Annual Convention. Be part of the largest annual gathering of school psychologists and related professionals in the world. Attendees are focused on learning about the latest and most effective products, services, training and best practices to improve their skills. The 2004 convention will include more than 600 presentations and special events related to education and mental health issues. For more information, click here:
FOR DINNER:
FOR DESSERT: 
National Observances
MONTH LONG OBSERVANCES: WEEK LONG OBSERVANCES: DAY LONG OBSERVANCES:
Federal health observances list
Featured Organizations
AMERICAN RED CROSS CANCER RESEARCH AND PREVENTION FOUNDATION MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS FOUNDATION NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION PREVENT BLINDNESS AMERICA NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY FOUNDATION NATIONAL COUNCIL ON PROBLEM GAMBLING AMERICAN SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE ASSOCIATION AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CARDIOVASCULAR AND PULMONARY REHABILITATION DANA ALLIANCE FOR BRAIN INITIATIVES NATIONAL INHALANT PREVENTION COALITION POISON PREVENTION WEEK COUNCIL WHO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE AMERICAS NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO-FREE KIDS 
Who is Using NWHIC's Services? Indiana, Maine, North Dakota, and Wyoming are the states with the LOWEST calls last month to our Information and Referral Line (1-800-994-WOMAN). If you reside in one of these states, we encourage you to make your first call in March and request some of the listed publications in this month’s newsletter. New York & Maryland brought in the most calls last month. Our most frequent health topic requests for February were for information on: heart disease, breast cancer, breastfeeding, and diabetes. 
About the 2004 Women’s Health Daybook! “4 women – to women- about women. The impact of this daybook has changed my life. I read it from cover to cover. I put it to practice. I’m a cancer survivor this book has opened my eyes, has helped me in so many ways. It has enlightened me. It has enabled me to speak with my doctor on better terms. It gives me knowledge. Thank you so much for sending this book to me. I am forever grateful. Keep up the good work.” -Beth. Lancaster, PA “Thanks to your Women’s Health Daybook, I found breast cancer in its early stages. Thank you. Looking forward to having your 2004 Daybook. Thanks again.” -Sheila. Joplin, MO “This booklet has been such a wonderful source of information. I’ve been able to share it and use it to peek interest in people to inform them about THEIR health. It’s very well put together and easy to read. I have a place of business and would very much like to know how to obtain books for 2004 and share them with others. Thanks.” -Cheryl. Detroit, MI “This book is fabulous. It makes scheduling very easy for me. It gives me reminders about things to ask my doctors about types of check ups I need. I am a breast cancer survivor so I have many check ups and various doctors. I love the layout and the information is very helpful. Thank you! I look forward to the 2004 Daybook.” -Susan. Arlington, VA “Thank you! Thank you! This is my second edition of your Women’s Health Daybook. I have gained more knowledge about women’s health issues from these two books and I am sixty years old. The books to me are like my American Express card, “Don’t leave home without it.” Keep up the good work. The format and content are great. I am looking forward to the next issue.” -Jennie. Beaufort, SC 
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This month's special publications for your health: NEW Chinese Prevention Guide now available! Order online or Call 1-800-994-9662 and request your copy A Breath of Fresh Air! Independence from Smoking Fact Sheet: Tuberculosis (Copyright © ALA) Lock Up Poisons - Prevent Tragedy Multiple Sclerosis: Hope Through Research A Focus on Nutrition for the Elderly: It's Time to Take a Closer Look Basik Lasik: Tips on Lasik Eye Surgery Guest editor feature for March 2004: “I’m too tired.” “I don’t have time.”
“I can’t find a babysitter.” Sound familiar? Read the rest of this month's article, A Woman's Heart
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