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

Healthy Women Today
June 2003

FROM THE NWHIC PROJECT OFFICER

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

Are you physically active most days of the week? Exercise doesn't have to be boring to be good for you and you don't have to train for a marathon to reap benefits. It can be easy to fit in 30 minutes of physical activity on most days if you do a few minutes of yard work, household chores or social activities such as dancing, or take the stairs at work instead of the elevator. This issue of HEALTHY WOMEN TODAY provides simple, creative steps to staying active, which will provide many benefits such as protecting you from diabetes, heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure and osteoarthritis. Make sure you check out our "Thinking Outside the Box" section below for ideas on how to get started. Be sure to check with your health care provider before starting a new exercise regimen.

The National Association for People with AIDS (NAPWA) is sponsoring National HIV Testing Day June 27th in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The main purpose of this event is to educate the public and professionals about HIV counseling, testing and treatment. Another purpose is to encourage people who may be at risk of infection to seek counseling and treatment. Go to the web site to find a FREE testing location in your area: http://www.napwa.org/hivtestinfo/.

This month, we are also highlighting Men's Health Week (June 10-16), with our "What About Men's Health" page that now includes a section with Screening Tests and Immunization Guidelines for men (http://www.4woman.gov/mens/). During this week, share this site with the men in your life and take the time yourself to learn about the leading men's health concerns. Since women tend to be the main caregivers of men, it's a good time to learn about the leading men's health concerns. Don't forget Father's Day on June 15th and as always, don't forget to take care of yourself!

Until next month,

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

IMPORTANT NWHIC & OWH NEWS

BREASTFEEDING INFORMATION SHEETS NOW AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND CHINESE!!! 
These information sheets are available through our toll-free call center (800-994-9662), and on-line. They may also be reproduced as needed.

Spanish: http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/Spanish/sp-breastfeeding.pdf 

Chinese: http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/bf-chinese.pdf 

English: http://www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/Breastfeeding.pdf 

OTHER HHS NEWS & EVENTS

Steps to A HealthierUS Initiative
Steps to a HealthierUS is a bold new initiative from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that advances President George W. Bush's HealthierUS goal of helping Americans live longer, better, and healthier lives.

The Steps to a HealthierUS: Putting Prevention First summit (April 15th-16th) was attended by over 1,000 community leaders, policy makers, health officials, and others. The Secretary laid out his priorities and programs for Steps to a HealthierUS, focusing attention on the importance of prevention and promising approaches for promoting healthy environments. Information about the summit (http://www.healthierus.gov/steps/#summit) and an archived Webcast (http://www.healthierus.gov/steps/#cast) are available. More information is available at: http://www.healthierus.gov/steps/.

A Community-Focused Initiative to Reduce the Burden of Asthma, Diabetes, and Obesity
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), acting through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and combining the strengths and resources of all relevant HHS agencies and programs, announces the availability of fiscal year (FY) 2003 funds for a cooperative agreement program to implement the Secretary of HHS Initiative for Americans entitled Steps to a HealthierUS (hereafter referred to as STEPS).

The key to the success of STEPS will be community-focused programs that include the full engagement of schools, businesses, faith-communities, health care purchasers, health plans, health care providers, academic institutions, senior centers, and many other community sectors working together to promote health and prevent chronic disease. STEPS programs need to build on, but not duplicate, current and prior HHS programs and coordinate fully with existing programs and resources in the community.

For application information and funding announcement go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/pgo/funding/03135.htm.

Read about the Women and Diabetes Town Hall Meeting Webcast held in May, 2003
In response to the growing diabetes epidemic in women, the Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) Coordinating Committee on Women's Health and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) hosted the first Women & Diabetes National Town Hall Meeting on May 20, 2003 on Capitol Hill.

The meeting brought together participants from both the public and private sector to educate women about their risk for diabetes. It focused on prevention and management approaches as well as national and community resources for women.

To encourage a dialogue on these issues beyond the beltway, the town hall meeting was satellite broadcast and Web cast nationwide. More information on diabetes can be found on the HHS Web site (http://www.hhs.gov) or through ADA toll-free at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or http://www.diabetes.org.

JUNE FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE

Having chronic fatigue syndrome, or CFS, means more than just getting tired. With the busy lives American women lead, we all get tired from time to time. But, the fatigue with CFS is extreme and overwhelming, and doesn't get better with bed rest. And, it is often made worse with physical or mental activity.

This illness seems to happen all of a sudden - one day you may notice that you are very tired and can't manage your normal activities. Your energy level is lower and you often get tired for no reason. You may also feel weak and have muscle pain, difficulty focusing, or insomnia (not being able to sleep). After you engage in physical activity or exert yourself, you may feel tired for more than 24 hours. The extreme fatigue may then come and go, giving you times when your energy level is normal. Sometimes, though, the extreme tiredness never stops, leaving you feeling exhausted and depleted all the time. You notice that you can't get done in a day what you normally would have been able to, before having this condition. CFS is diagnosed only when other possible causes of the fatigue are ruled out, and the fatigue has lasted for at least 6 months. There are treatments to help a person cope with CFS, some of which include medication. Sometimes CFS goes away on its own or a person can have long periods of time, even years, without symptoms.

To learn more, please go to: http://www.4woman.gov/faq/cfs.htm.

GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR JUNE 2003

The Guest Editor Article on NWHIC's site this month is:

Understanding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 
(http://www.4woman.gov/editor/jun03/)
Our featured health article comes to us from the National CFIDS Foundation, Inc.

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE "BOX"

This is the monthly segment that includes suggestions for alternatives to watching television. Mountains of research data implicate excessive television time in a host of social problems. These include educational underachievement, rising childhood obesity, and lack of family time.

In response to this data, the TV-Turnoff Network, a national nonprofit organization that encourages children and adults to watch much less television in order to promote healthier lives and communities, recognized this year's TV-Turnoff Week from April 21st -27th. An estimated 7 million viewers participated in TV-Turnoff Week. Below, we have provided other options to your daily dose of reality TV!!

1. Idol-free half hour: Turn on the stereo and move your body to lively music. Dancing tones muscles, improves flexibility, and makes your heart and lungs stronger! 

2. A Superstation-less hour: Walk or hike your favorite nature trail or even your local shopping mall. Don't forget to wear comfortable shoes with lots of support! 

3. No TV for Women Movie: Check your local recreation center to see what type of water-workout is available in your area. AHHHHH How Refreshing! 

4. Primetime-less 4 hours: Play with your pet. Fido and FiFi need exercise to stay healthy too. They're great company on short outings as well! 

5. TV Free Week: Now that' you've saved more than 24 hours in personal time, do something fun for yourself like a manicure and pedicure. Pick up a new book, take a class or visit a relative or friend.

You can learn more about this event, by going to: http://www.tvturnoff.org/. 

COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!

With the kids almost out of school, you may want to use these simple recipes for making a quick breakfast or lunch. Compiled from over 200 heart-healthy American Heart Association recipes, Delicious Decisions (http://www.deliciousdecisions.org) is your source for inviting mealtime ideas everyone will love.

BREAKFAST:

Cinnamon Orange Pancakes:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=71&Nutrition1='Breakfast'&st=1

Egg, Spinach and Bacon Sandwich:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=147&Nutrition1='Breakfast'&st=1

Omelets: 
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=69&Nutrition1='Breakfast'&st=1 

LUNCH:

Heart Healthful Turkey Reuben:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=156&Nutrition1='Sandwiches'&st=1

Turkey and Vegetable Calzone:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=103&Nutrition1='Sandwiches'&st=1 

Open Face Vegetable Sandwich:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=158&Nutrition1='Sandwiches'&st=1 

DINNER:

Bundled Trout and Vegetables:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=206&Nutrition1='Entrees'&st=1

Jerked Chicken: 
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=191&Nutrition1='Entrees'&st=1 

Seafood Terrine with Shrimp and Asparagus:
http://www.deliciousdecisions.org/cb/show_search.cfm?RecipeID1=231&Nutrition1='Entrees'&st=1 

NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES IN JUNE

  • National Aphasia Awareness Month
  • National Scleroderma Awareness Month
  • Fireworks Safety Month (June 1 - July 4)
  • Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month
  • Vision Research Month
  • National Cancer Survivors Day (1)
  • National HIV Testing Day (27)
  • National Headache Awareness Week (1-7)
  • National Men's Health Week (9-15)
  • Helen Keller Deaf - Blind Awareness Week (22-28)
  • Eye Safety Awareness Week (June 27 - July 5)

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH

Aphasia: 
http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/aphasia.asp 

Facing Forward Series: Life After Cancer Treatment: 
http://www.cancer.gov/CancerInformation/life-after-treatment 

NINDS Headache Information Page: 
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/headache.htm 

NINDS Myasthenia Gravis Information Page:
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/myasthenia_gravis.htm 

WHO IS USING NWHIC'S SERVICES?

For the first time this year, 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.

The five most popular NWHIC web pages this month were:

On-line Medical Dictionaries and Journals
http://www.4woman.gov/nwhic/references/dictionary.htm 

Ovulation Calculator
http://www.4woman.gov/pregnancy/ovulation1.cfm 

Healthy Pregnancy
http://www.4woman.gov/Pregnancy/ 

The First Trimester
http://www.4woman.gov/pregnancy/first.htm 

Frequently Asked Questions about Women's Health
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/ 

Our most frequently asked health topics this month were requests for information on: Prevention, Menopause, Breast Cancer, Nutrition and Heart Disease.

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