Many of the health conditions that are the biggest threats to women can be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices.
For example, the risk for heart disease, which is the number one women’s health threat according to the MayoClinic.com, can be reduced by managing chronic conditions, eating a healthy diet, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and managing stress.
May 13, 2012 to May 19, 2012 is National Women’s Health Week, an annual event coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health.
During this week, there are several events to promote women’s health and encourage women to get the proper screenings.
The second day of National Women’s Health Week, May 14th, is National Women’s Checkup Day, which encourages women to get important checkups and screenings.
If you have not have your regular Pap smear or if you have not had your cholesterol checked in a while, National Women’s Checkup Day may be the day to get it done!
You can pledge to join and increase your state’s participation by signing up on the National Women’s Checkup Day page.
Several organizations have partnered with National Women’s Health Week to organize women’s health events.
For example, the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance is hosting a webinar, while the National Bone Health Alliance, Kaiser Permanente and Amgen are hosting a half-day education summit on May 15th on postmenopausal osteoporosis and secondary fracture prevention.
But you can also plan your own health event! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offered these tips for planning health events.
Another way to get involved in National Women’s Health Week is to participate in the WOMAN Challenge (Women and girls Out Moving Across the Nation). The goal of the WOMAN Challenge is to encourage physical activity and healthy eating.
You can join the WOMAN Challenge, which starts on Mother’s Day, on the 2012 WOMAN Challenge page.
Getting involved in National Women’s Health Week does not have to be on a big scale — you can start by getting your family and friends involved. The CDC has Health e-Cards, which you can send during National Women’s Health Week (or anytime you want to promote good health).
You can also get involved by gathering your family history and checking for any fall hazards in your house or the house of someone you love.
References
MayoClinic.com. Women’s Health: Prevention the Top 7 Threats. Web. 25 April 2012
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/womens-health/WO00014/METHOD=print
WomensHealth.gov. National Women’s Checkup Day Fact Sheet. Web. 25 April 2012
http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/activity-planning/materials/check-up-day.pdf
WomensHealth.gov. About National Women’s Health Week. Web. 25 April 2012
http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/about
WomensHealth.gov. 2012 Partners and Collaborators. Web. 25 April 2012
http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/partners
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ways to Celebrate National Women’s Health Week. Web. 25 April 2012
http://www.cdc.gov/women/nwhw/celebratenwhw.htm
Edited by Jody Smith