May 11-17 is Women's Health Week!
The 9th annual National Women's Health Week will kick off on Mother's Day, May 11, 2008 and will be celebrated until May 17, 2008.
National Women's Check-Up Day will be Monday, May 12, 2008.
National Women's Health Week empowers women across the country to get healthy by taking action. The nationwide initiative, coordinated
by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH), encourages women to make their health a top priority and
take simple steps for a longer, healthier and happier life. During the week, families, communities, businesses, government, health organizations
and other groups work together to educate women about steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and prevent disease, like:
- Engaging in physical activity most days of the week
- Eating a nutritious diet
- Visiting a healthcare provider to receive regular check-ups and preventive screenings
- Avoiding risky behaviors, like smoking and not wearing a seatbelt
It is important to celebrate National Women's Health Week to remind women that taking care of themselves is essential to living longer, healthier
and happier lives. Women are often the caregivers for their spouses, children and parents and forget to focus on their own health. But research shows
that when women take care of themselves, the health of their family improves. During National Women's Health Week it is important to educate our wives,
mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, aunts and girlfriends about the steps they can take to improve their health and prevent disease. After all,
when women take even the simplest steps to improve their health, the results can be significant and everyone will benefit.
Be Part of the Woman Challenge!
Thousands of women across the country will embark on an eight-week physical activity challenge for better health. They will be part of the WOMAN Challenge
that is, Women and girls Out Moving Across the Nation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health is coordinating the WOMAN
Challenge to kick off the ninth annual National Women's Health Week (May 11-17, 2008). This free eight week challenge encourages women and girls to walk 10,000
steps or get 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. The WOMAN Challenge begins on Mother's Day, May 11, and ends on July 5, 2008.
How can I register to participate?
Participants are able to register online at www.womenshealth.gov/woman.
Participants will receive a tracking log (while supplies last) to record their progress throughout the eight weeks. They will also receive weekly motivational e-mails and health tips to help them reach their
goals. Women can choose to travel one of six different “virtual” routes across America.
Can I register a team to participate in the Challenge?
Team participation is highly encouraged. Form an intergenerational team with you, your mom, grandmother or daughter, encourage your co-workers to create an interoffice team or walk with your girlfriends.
However you choose to take part in the WOMAN Challenge, make it fun.
For information about the WOMAN Challenge and National Women’s please visit the National Women's Health Week Web site at www.womenshealth.gov/woman or call (800)994-9662 or TTY: (888) 220-5446.
What is National Women's Check-Up Day?
National Women's Check-Up Day is a nationwide effort, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health, to:
- Encourage women to visit health care professionals to receive or schedule a check-up.
- Promote regular check-ups as vital to the early detection of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health illnesses, sexually transmitted diseases, and other conditions.
When is National's Women's Check-Up Day?
The fifth annual National Women's Check-Up Day will be held on Monday, May 12, 2008 during National Women's Health Week.
Why is it important for women to participate in this effort?
It is important for women to get regular check-ups because:
- Screening tests, such as mammograms and Pap smears, can find diseases early, when they are easier to treat. Some women need certain screening tests earlier, or more often, than others.
- Many of the leading causes of death among women can be successfully prevented or treated if the warning signs are caught early enough.
How can women participate in this important event?
Women can participate in National Women's Check-up Day in several ways:
- Women should contact their current health care providers or one of the participating health care providers to schedule check-ups and screening services on National Women's Check-up Day.
- During their check-ups, women should discuss with their health care professionals which of the tests are right for them, when they should have them, and how often.
- Women can encourage other women, friends and relatives to get checked out!
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