Healthy Women
Today
September 2003
FROM THE NWHIC PROJECT MANAGER
U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, Office
on Women's Health (OWH)
September is the month for getting back to
business in our lives...vacations are over and school is back in session. It's also a good
time to get serious about scheduling your check-ups and screenings for good health. As you
will see in our September newsletter, it's Gynecologic Cancer Awareness month, and the
Gynecologic Cancer Foundation reminds you to do a personal inventory of your gynecologic
cancer risk. Please also encourage the men in your lives to make an appointment for a
prostate screening because September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Schedule a visit
with your health care provider on September 16, in celebration of "Take A Loved One
to the Doctor" Day.
September also means your child might need
some immunizations for the upcoming school year. This year, while your little one receives
his or her shots, have your healthcare provider check your own medical records. Are you
due for a booster? Shots such as Hepatitis A & B are important if you travel outside
of the country. Children under the age of 12 who are traveling outside the US should have
a tetanus-diphtheria booster if they have not finished their series. For more information
on vaccinations for travelers, visit: www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm.
For additional information on vaccinations for adults visit: www.nia.nih.gov/health/agepages/shots.htm.
Take a moment to remember and honor those
who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11th. As we observe the 2nd anniversary
of Patriot Day, we will not forget the events of that terrible morning nor will we forget
how Americans responded in New York City, the Pentagon, and in the skies over Pennsylvania
with heroism and selflessness; with compassion and courage; and with prayer and hope.
Those whom we lost September 11 will forever hold a treasured place in our hearts. There
are still resources available for those needing assistance: www.mentalhealth.org/cmhs/EmergencyServices/
This issue of the newsletter will discuss
some exciting new events and services provided by NWHIC, including our new site 4Girls
Health (www.4girls.gov) and our Breastfeeding
Helpline.
Valerie Scardino, M.P.A.
NWHIC Project Manager, Office on Women's Health, DHHS
IMPORTANT NWHIC & OWH NEWS
NEW MENOPAUSE MODULE ON 4WOMAN.GOV!!!!!
Women are often curious about what will happen when they reach menopause! To help
alleviate these concerns, NWHIC has developed a new web module containing resources and
information on the period prior to menopause; perimenopause, signs and symptoms of
menopause, recommendations, how to talk to your doctor and information regarding
alternative therapies.
Learn more by going to: www.4woman.gov/menopause.
STEPS TO A HEALTHIER US INITIATIVE:
2nd National Steps to a Healthier US Summit - March 18-19, 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland
Submit an Abstract for the Summit Online
at: http://steps2004.iqsolutions.com/abstracts/
The deadline for submission is October 31,
2003.
If you have any questions about the Summit,
please contact:
Nancy Stanisic
202-260-3601
nstanisic@osophs.dhhs.gov
THE NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING AWARENESS
CAMPAIGN:
NEW Helpline!!! NWHIC Can Answer Your Basic
Breastfeeding Questions - Do you have questions about breastfeeding? NWHIC can help you
with your basic breastfeeding concerns. Our trained Information Specialists can answer
breastfeeding questions in English and Spanish, order free breastfeeding publications for
you and direct you to organizations that can provide you with additional assistance. Call
us today at: 1-800-994-9662 or TDD 1-888-220-5446.
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 on-line. They may also be
reproduced as needed. Please share these links with your friends and family members who
are breastfeeding or interested in 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
FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS: BREASTFEEDING
SUPPORT AND PROMOTION INFORMATION FREE FROM NWHIC!
The U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services' Office on Women's Health recognizes the critical role of knowledgeable health
care professionals in promoting and supporting breastfeeding.
The Office on Women's Health supported The
American Academy of Pediatrics in the development of the AAP Speaker's Kit on
Breastfeeding Promotion and Management that will enable health care professionals to
educate themselves and their colleagues while spreading the message about breastfeeding in
the community.
The CD-ROM, "Breastfeeding Support and
Promotion," provides a comprehensive discussion of the key topic areas, including
management strategies for common breastfeeding challenges. Speaker's notes are available
with each slide on the CD-ROM.
Ten Steps to Support Parents' Choice to
Breastfeed Their Baby, also included in the kit, is a culturally effective poster/brochure
adapted in consultation with the National Center for Cultural Competence and the
11-organization project advisory committee for the AAP/Maternal and Child Health
Bureau-funded Breastfeeding Promotion in Physicians' Office Practices program, that shares
healthcare provider's commitment to breastfeeding promotion and support with their
patients. Health professionals may request a free copy of the kit by calling NWHIC at
1-800-994-9662.
CALL NOW TO RESERVE YOUR COPY OF THE 2004
WOMEN'S HEALTH DAYBOOK, "Wellness Starts With You: Women's Steps to a Healthier
U.S."!!! Our annual Daybook offers comprehensive information on a variety of health
topics along with valuable resources. Reserve your copy by calling us at:
1-800-994-9662!!!
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.
The 4Girls Health web site www.4girls.gov was
developed by the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services
to give girls between the ages of 10 and 16 reliable, current health information. The site
focuses on many health topics that respond to adolescent girls' health concerns and
motivates girls to choose healthy behaviors using positive, supportive and non-threatening
messages.
NEW SPANISH FAQs NOW AVAILABLE!!!!
NWHIC has created several new Spanish Frequently Asked Question factsheets on topics such
as cardiovascular health, nutrition, Pap tests and birth control. You may view these at: www.4woman.gov/faq/Spanish/ or
contact NWHIC to place an individual request.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: The Office on
Women's Health would like to highlight a number of new funding opportunities. You may view
them by going to: www.4woman.gov/fund/.
SEPTEMBER FEATURED HEALTH ARTICLE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DRUG
ABUSE AND TREATMENT
Research indicates that women can become
addicted quickly to certain drugs, such as crack cocaine, even after casual or
experimental use. Therefore, by the time a woman enters treatment, she may be severely
addicted, making treatment more difficult. This is also true when a woman becomes
dependent on prescription painkillers.
GUEST EDITOR FEATURE FOR SEPTEMBER 2003
The Guest Editor Article on NWHIC's site
this month is:
Women and Drinking (http://www.4woman.gov/editor/sep03/)
by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE "BOX"
Because children are influenced by what
their parents do, it is important that whatever effort you make to exercise more, eat
better, or watch less TV is done as a family. In this situation, turning off the TV
becomes a great family endeavor, a way to bond and spend time together. Start with our
TV-Turnoff Tips and then be sure to turn on life.
- Move your television to a less prominent
location.
- Keep the TV off during meals.
- Designate certain days of the week as
TV-free days.
- Do not use television as a reward.
- Listen to music or the radio for background
noise.
- Cancel your cable subscription and use the
money for books.
- Don't worry if children claim to be bored.
Boredom passes and often leads to creativity.
You can learn more about this campaign by
going to: www.tvturnoff.org/.
COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY!
Now that the kids are back in school,
they're hungry... and they're hungry NOW. In celebration of Family Health Month, NWHIC is
featuring quick dishes, ready to eat in 30 minutes or less from the National Heart, Lung
and Blood Institute (NHLBI) www.nhlbi.nih.gov.
Cannery Row Soup:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/canrowsp.htm
20 Minute Chicken Creole:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/20minckn.htm
Green Beans Sauté:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/grebeasa.htm
Stir-Fried Beef and Vegetables:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/sfbandv.htm
Oriental Rice:
http://rover2.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/orierice.htm
Banana Mousse:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/syah/banamous.htm
NATIONAL HEALTH OBSERVANCES IN SEPTEMBER
- Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month
- Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
- National Cholesterol Education Month
- Baby Safety Month
- National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery
Month
- Prostate Cancer Awareness Week (14-20)
- National 5 A Day Week (21-27)
- Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day (16)
- National Women's Health and Fitness Day (24)
THIS MONTH'S SPECIAL PUBLICATIONS FOR YOUR HEALTH
Gynecological Cancers:
http://prg.nci.nih.gov/gyno/default.html
Eating Your Way to 5 A Day:
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fda5aday.html
Frequently Asked Questions about Alcohol
Treatment:
www.4woman.gov/faq/sa-alcoh.htm
Baby Proofing Your Home:
www.nsc.org/library/facts/babyprf.htm
Energize Yourself! Stay Physically Active:
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/chdblack/energiz1.htm
WHO IS USING NWHIC'S SERVICES?
Again, 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.
Our most frequently asked health topics
this month were requests for information on: Breastfeeding, State Health Department,
Menopause, Breast Cancer, and Health Care Access.
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