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January Featured Health Article: In an effort to encourage you to schedule all of the annual
exams you may need this year, the College of American Pathologists will
actually send you email reminders for donating blood as well as tests
for cholesterol, diabetes, colon cancer, pelvic exams and mammograms.
All you have to do is sign up for the service (in English or Spanish)
and when the reminder comes, be sure to schedule the appointment! Hot Topics of the Month: Medical Dictionaries and Journals | FROM THE NWHIC PROJECT DIRECTOR U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services Happy New Year! I am sure many of you are already gearing up for the change a new year brings. It is a time to plan for the year ahead, create resolutions, and make plans for things to come. This year, celebrate the successes you had in 2003 and plan new goals to help you lead a healthier and happier life in 2004. Vow to improve yourself this year by taking steps to reduce stress, increase exercise, get checkups, and volunteer. You may want to take a cooking class, travel to a new place, try a new sport, volunteer at a shelter, and spend more time with your family, neighbors, and friends. January always seems to bring about a renewed sense of personal awareness. This year, make your health a top priority. In recognition of Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, schedule doctor appointments for your annual Pap test and pelvic exam. With regular screenings, you have a higher chance for early detection and prevention of cervical cancer. Also schedule an appointment with an eye doctor. This
month, National Eye Care Month, we focus on preventing blindness, a
health concern that many women overlook. Glaucoma, a disease of the
eye, can run in your family and leads to vision loss. Take a look at
our FAQs about Glaucoma or visit 4woman.gov to read other information
about blindness and eye disease. January is filled with possibilities—new beginnings and an anticipation of things to come. Make 2004 a great year. Valerie Scardino, M.P.A. 
CALL NOW TO RESERVE YOUR COPY OF THE 2004 WOMEN’S HEALTH DAYBOOK, “WELLNESS STARTS WITH YOU: WOMEN'S STEPS TO A HEALTHIER US!” Our annual Daybook offers comprehensive information on a variety of health topics along with other valuable resources. Reserve your copy while supplies last by calling us at: 1-800-994-9662! NEW! Tune in next month for our February edition and see what people are saying about NWHIC! REQUEST FOR ABSTRACTS! The 2004 National Conference on Health
Care and Domestic Violence Call for Abstracts ** THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS IS FEBRUARY 26, 2004. The goal of the Third National Conference on Health Care and Domestic Violence is to advance the field of health care's response to domestic violence. The National Conference provides valuable professional education on the latest research and innovative health care prevention and clinical responses to domestic violence for over 750 health care professionals. Please contact Mari Spira at (415) 252-8900 x 20
or mari@endabuse.org with questions. NOW AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH AND CHINESE! "A LIFETIME OF GOOD HEALTH, YOUR GUIDE TO STAYING HEALTHY" -THE PREVENTION GUIDE: In addition to the English version, this helpful guide is also available in Spanish and Chinese. This attractive, easy-to-read guide offers basic information that every woman needs to know to protect her health and the health of the ones she loves. It's full of useful information such as recommended screenings and immunizations and provides tips on topics such as maintaining a healthy pregnancy, healthy lungs and healthy eyes, just to name a few. You can order your copy now by calling NWHIC at 1-800-994-9662. BE A PART OF A VACCINE EFFORT FOR STDS: NEW RESEARCH BEING CONDUCTED FOR POSSIBLE HERPES VACCINE – The UCLA center for vaccine research is recruiting volunteers for a herpes vaccine that could possibly be the first vaccine available for the prevention of a sexually transmitted disease. Sponsored by the NIH. For more information about this effort. 
NATIONAL
BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT & AWARENESS:
BREASTFEEDING HELPLINE! NWHIC CAN ANSWER YOUR BASIC BREASTFEEDING QUESTIONS - Do you have questions about breastfeeding? NWHIC can help you with your basic concerns. Our trained Breastfeeding Counselors 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 online. 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. 
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 or OWH one-on-one or just stop in and say hi. OWH or NWHIC representatives will be at the following
locations in January:
COOKING HEALTHY IS EASY - START EATING RIGHT TODAY! Why don’t you try something new this year? If you usually have chicken for dinner, try baked fish or even go vegetarian. If rice comes across your table once a week, try couscous or a even a new vegetable. Remember, if you plan for it, even snacks and desserts can be healthy. Why not try some of these recipes for your Super Bowl Party this year! The following recipes are from the 145-page book, "Keep
the Beat: Heart Healthy Recipes," that contains recipes that can
complement any holiday table or serve as a special treat to yourself
or your family. FOR DINNER: SUPER BOWL PARTY IDEAS: FOR DESSERT: "Keep the Beat: Heart Healthy Recipes" can be downloaded free of charge. Printed copies are available for $4.00 through the website or from the NHLBI Information Center at P.O. Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105, or at 301-592-8573 or 240-629-3255 (TTY) 
NATIONAL OBSERVANCES
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
THE NATIONAL BREAST & CERVICAL CANCER EARLY
DETECTION PROGRAM All women are at risk for breast cancer — the most
commonly diagnosed cancer in American women, except skin cancer. Breast
cancer cannot be prevented, however, studies show that early detection
of breast cancer saves lives. The CDC-administered National Breast and
Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) has screened almost
1.75 million women and provided more than 4 million screening examinations.
CERVICAL CANCER COALITION The National Cervical Cancer Coalition (NCCC) is emerging
as the nation's leading independent grass roots voice for a coalition
of healthcare providers, pathologists, cytotechnologists, women's groups,
patients, technology, research & treatment companies and associations.
NCCC does not represent the special interests of one technology company
over another. (Some newer coalitions may be formed to represent the
vested interests of individual technology/treatment companies). WOMEN’S CANCER NETWORK Developed by the Gynecologic Cancer Foundation and CancerSource
for women and their families. Their mission is to keep women informed
and enable them to be their own health advocates. The WCN is an interactive
website dedicated to informing women around the world about gynecologic
cancer. Their goal is to assist women who have developed cancer, as
well as their families, to understand more about the disease, learn
about treatment options and gain access to new or experimental therapies. MARCH OF DIMES Prematurity has been escalating steadily and alarmingly
over the past two decades. Between 1981 and 2001, the rate of premature
births rose from 9.4 percent to 11.9, an increase of more than 27 percent.
Every year more than 470,000 infants are born prematurely. That's roughly
comparable to the population of New Orleans or Cleveland. Preterm delivery
can happen to any pregnant woman. It's happening more and more often.
And, in nearly half the cases, no one knows why. The March of Dimes
is stepping up to the plate to take on this devastating problem and
its cause.
PREVENT BLINDNESS Founded in 1908, Prevent Blindness America is the nation’s
leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting
blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision
care, Prevent Blindness America touches the lives of millions of people
each year through public and professional education, certified vision
screening training, community and patient service programs and research. HEALTHY WEIGHT NETWORK Here you will find weight and eating books as well as
other resources by recognized scientific experts. This site has authoritative
research on dieting, the failure of weight loss programs, eating disorders,
obesity, size acceptance, diet quackery, and moving ahead with the non-diet
Health at Any Size approach - also known as Health at Every Size. AMERICAN ASSOCIATES OF BLOOD BANKS Established in 1947, the American Association of Blood Banks is an international association of blood banks, including hospital and community blood centers, transfusion and transplantation services and individuals involved in activities related to transfusion and transplantation medicine. The AABB supports high standards of medical, technical and administrative performance, scientific investigation, clinical application and education. It is dedicated to encouraging the voluntary donation of blood and other tissues and organs through education, public information and research. 
WHO IS USING NWHIC'S SERVICES? This month, Maryland remains the state with 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 frequent health topic requests for December were for information
on: Pregnancy, Cancer, Breast, Pain, Vaginal, HPV, Infection, Menstruation,
Disabilities and Disease. 
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT NWHIC Tune in next month for our February edition and see what people are saying about NWHIC! 
USER SUPPORT
LEAVING THE LIST: JOINING THE LIST: |
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 The National Cancer Institute's Cervical Cancer Homepage. Having a Pelvic Exam and Pap Test Decreasing the Chance of Birth Defects Life Advice About Being a Blood Donor Guest editor feature for January 2004: OWH will be joining the Lupus Foundation of Americas in a Partners' Program
on Lupus for the month of January 2004. This month's Featured Guest Editor,
Dorothy Howe, the Director of Education for the Lupus Foundation of America,
writes about the impact this disease has on women's health. Survey shows public lacks knowledge of Lupus dangers Spanish Guest editor feature for January 2004: Lupus:
Basics for Better Living (Lupus: Información Básica Para
Vivir Mejor)
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FEATURED
ORGANIZATIONS