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

Healthy Women Today
July 2003

FROM THE NWHIC PROJECT OFFICER

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

Summer is here! In this issue of Healthy Women Today, we've highlighted important information on summer safety. NWHIC reminds you to stay safe and healthy during these sunny summer months. Protect yourself and your family by wearing sunscreen, drinking lots of water, and thinking of safety first - especially during the Fourth of July festivities.

Eye care and summer safety goes far beyond the 4th, however. You should be sure to wear sunglasses with UV protection. In addition, be vigilant about water safety. A new study by the NIH's National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) suggests that infants are most likely to drown in bathtubs, toddlers in swimming pools, and older children in other freshwater sites such as rivers and lakes. Don't take your eyes off the kids for even a second … and never allow them to swim alone.

If you have teenagers at home, and a computer, it's likely the Internet will be buzzing this summer. At the National Women's Health Information Center, we have a great deal of experience in responsible Internet use. Have you set up Internet rules to guide your children? Even the nicest kids can be seduced by those chat rooms. Despite all the well-publicized horror stories, kids are still arranging to meet people they find on the Internet. Encourage them to tell you if they receive a message that in any way made them feel uncomfortable. You can forward these messages to your Internet service provider and ask for assistance. Make sure that you also maintain privacy on the Internet, and never give out personal information such as your home address, social security numbers, credit card numbers or telephone numbers while in chat rooms. Did you know about our website for girls ages 10-16 www.4girls.gov? The site focuses on many health topics that respond to adolescent girls' health concerns and motivates girls to choose healthy behaviors. Call us at 1-800-994-9662 to order a free 4girls.gov poster or postcard for a girl you may know.

Remember that while you are out enjoying your summer days, anyone exposed to high temperatures for a long period of time is at risk for heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Keep an eye on elderly neighbors and remind your older parents or friends to take the threat of heat related problems seriously. To prevent heat-related illnesses, stay hydrated and cool. It helps to spend even short periods of time in the shade, and plan outdoor activities for the cooler part of the day. For more information on preventing heat-related illnesses, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's web site at: www.cdc.gov/nceh/hsb/extremeheat. And of course don't forget sun block, even for darker complexions.

The best part of summer is that it gets us outdoors. A little more physical activity can go a long way towards a healthier life. Enjoy!

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

IMPORTANT NWHIC & OWH NEWS

THE NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS CAMPAIGN:

The US Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health (OWH) has been funded to carry out the recommendations of the HHS Blueprint for Action on Breastfeeding (2000)  (www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/bluprntbk2.pdf) into a National Breastfeeding Awareness Campaign to promote breastfeeding among first-time parents (mothers and fathers) who would not normally breastfeed their baby. The overall goal of the campaign is to increase the proportion of mothers who breastfeed their babies in the early postpartum period to 75% and those within 6 months postpartum to 50% by the year 2010. The campaign aims to empower women to commit to breastfeeding and to clearly illustrate the consequences of not breastfeeding such as a higher likelihood of diabetes, weight problems, some childhood cancers, and other illnesses and conditions. Besides trying to raise initiation rates, the campaign will also stress the importance of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months.

FREE BREASTFEEDING INFORMATION PACKETS NOW AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, 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: www.4woman.gov/Breastfeeding/Spanish/sp-breastfeeding.pdf

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

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

NEW on 4WOMAN.GOV - TOOLS TO HELP YOU BUILD A HEALTHIER LIFE!!!

Visit a new special section on our website called "Tools to Help You Build a Healthier Life." This page contains interesting interactive tools, quizzes, and other information every woman needs to know! It includes topics such as important screening tests (for men and women), working with your health care provider, state and local resources and a dictionary and journal section. Visit www.4woman.gov/tools/ to learn more.

Also featured on this page is a new important HEART HEALTH quiz and questions for women, which can help you discuss heart disease with your health care provider, and learn about your risk for heart disease. Go to www.4woman.gov/tools/heart/quiz.cfm to learn more.

WWW.4GIRLS.GOV

Last week the 16 members of the Office on Women's Health "Sounding Board" met for three days in Washington DC. Sixteen young women between the ages of 13 and 17 came from all over the United States to meet each other and to share their thoughts about the programs that the Office on Women's Health currently has or is planning for the future on girls' health, especially the www.4girls.gov website. The group will have regularly scheduled conference calls and email exchanges to provide OWH with feedback on an ongoing basis. Over the next several months we will feature The Sounding Board on the 4girls website; we will tell you about each of the young women, their hopes and dreams, the activities they love and much more. We will also be asking each girl periodically to write for the website; perhaps on a book they recommend or a movie they enjoyed. Look for them soon on www.4girls.gov.

FREE 4GIRLS.GOV POSTERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM NWHIC!!

Call NWHIC at 1-800-994-9662 to request a free poster of the 4Girls Health web site for the young lady in your life.

JULY FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 350 children under five years of age drown each year in swimming pools, many in residential pools. The Commission estimates that another 2,600 children under age five are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year following submersion incidents. Some of these submersions result in permanent brain damage.

Nationally, drowning is a leading cause of death to children under five.

The key to preventing these tragedies is to have layers of protection. This includes placing barriers around your pool to prevent access, using pool alarms, closely supervising your child and being prepared in case of an emergency. CPSC offers tips to prevent drowning. To read them, please go to: www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/5097.html.

GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR JULY 2003

The Guest Editor Article on NWHIC's site this month is: Managing Serious Chronic Illness such as Bone Marrow Failure Disease. From Marilyn Baker, of the Aplastic Anemia and MDS International Foundation.

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE "BOX"

This is the monthly segment that includes suggestions for alternatives to watching television. Television cuts into family time, affects our children's ability to read and succeed in school, and contributes to unhealthy lifestyles and obesity. Here are just a few of the facts:

  • On average, children in the US will spend more time in front of the television (1,023 hours) than in school this year (900 hours).

  • Forty percent of Americans frequently or always watch television during dinner.

As the former US Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher said at the Kick Off of TV-Turnoff Week 2001, "We are raising the most overweight generation of youngsters in American history...This week is about saving lives." Turning off the television gives us a chance to think, read, create, and do. It also gives us the opportunity to connect with our families and engage in our communities. So turn off TV and turn on life!!

  • Real World Half-Hour: Take a moment to spend quiet time with your family. Start your day by preparing breakfast together or end it by making dinner.

  • A Young and Restful Hour: Try to exercise for 20 to 30 minutes, preferably a few hours before bedtime. Studies show that regular physical activity helps sleep!

  • Entertain Yourself Tonight: Plan a Family Game Night and play or create board games, read chapters of your favorite book or a deck of Uno® cards. Involve your children and their friends.

  • One Life to Live Healthy: Including physical activity in your daily schedule doesn't need to be difficult. Take the steps instead of the elevator, mow your lawn, play with your dog for 20 to 30 minutes a day!

  • 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 campaign by going to: www.tvturnoff.org/.

COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!

Studies have shown that diets centered around a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans are linked to lower risks of developing several cancers. The recipes provided by the American Institute for Cancer Research (www.aicr.org/index.lasso) are high fiber and full of flavor. Mix and match your favorite recipes for a new dinner experience.

SOUP:

Watercress Soup with Shrimp:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/soupssearch.lasso?recipeid=504

Spring Pea Soup:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/soupssearch.lasso?recipeid=488

SALAD:

Blue and White Salad:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/saladssearch.lasso?recipeid=449

Spinach, Romaine & Strawberries with Balsamic Vinaigrette:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/saladssearch.lasso?recipeid=346

ENTRÉE:

Sicilian Spaghetti:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/entreessearch.lasso?recipeid=287

Grilled Halibut with Rosemary and Tomato Basil Sauce:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/entreessearch.lasso?recipeid=448

PASTA & RICE:

Spring Asparagus with Pasta:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/pastasearch.lasso?recipeid=431

Wild Rice Stuffing with Portobello Mushrooms:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/pastasearch.lasso?recipeid=404

SIDE DISHES:

Greek Stuffed Vegetables:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/veggiessearch.lasso?recipeid=501

Basil Green Beans:
www.aicr.org/information/recipe/veggiessearch.lasso?recipeid=370

NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES IN JULY

  • Hemachromatosis Screening Awareness Month
  • Eye Injury Prevention Month
  • International Group B Strep Awareness Month
  • Fireworks Safety Month (June 1 - July 4)
  • National Therapeutic Recreation Week (6-12)

THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH

Iron Overload and Hemachromatosis - Information for Patience and their Families:
www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/hemochromatosis/patient_info.htm

Group B Streptococcal Disease (GBS):
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/groupbstrep_g.htm

Fireworks:
www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/012.html

Workplace Eye Safety:
www.preventblindness.org/safety/worksafe.html

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