Mother’s Day kicks off Women’s Health Week

By KAY SEDGMER, Times Leader Staff Writer
MOTHER’S DAY will serve as opening day for National Women’s Health Week which will be celebrated May 11 through the 17 across America.


The week is designed to empower women across the country to get healthy by taking action. The nationwide initiative, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH), encourages women to make their health a top priority and to take simple steps for a longer, healthier and happier life.


During the week, families, communities, businesses, government, health organizations and other groups work together to educate women about steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and prevent disease.


Women are encouraged to engage in physical activity. Health officials also encourage women to eat a balanced, nutritious diet. Women should also visit a healthcare provider for regular check-ups and preventive screenings. They are also encouraged to avoid risky behaviors, like smoking and not wearing seatbelts.


In celebrating National Women’s Health Week, organizers strive to remind women that taking care of themselves is essential to living a long, healthy and happy life. Research shows that when women take care of themselves, the health of their family also improves.


During the weeklong awareness campaign, healthcare professionals strive to educate women about the steps they can take to improve their health and prevent disease. When women take even the simplest steps to improve their health, the results can be significant and everyone will benefit.


As part of the celebration, National Women’s Check-Up Day will be observed on Monday. The day focuses on a nationwide campaign to encourage women to visit health care professionals to receive or schedule a check-up. Regular check-ups are vital to the early detection of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health illnesses, sexually transmitted diseases, and other conditions. According to data from 2005 and 2006, just over 85 percent of women in the US report having a routine check up within the past two years. In Ohio, the 2006 statistics show 82.4 percent of women reported having a yearly routine check-up during the past 12 months.


Studies show that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, such as colon cancer. Physical activity also helps to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, helps prevent or limit osteoporosis, and helps reduce obesity. In 2006, Ohio women reported that 73.5 percent of women in the state engaged in leisure time physical activity. Rates of physical activity were highest in the


Northwestern portion of the country and lower in the South.


A mammogram, or x-ray of the breast is the most effective way to detect breast cancer early. Current recommendations are for women over age 40 to have screening mammograms every one to two years; women at higher risk may need to start getting mammograms earlier and might need them more often.


Data from 2006 indicates that 76.1 percent of US women over age 40 have had a mammogram


within the past two years. This rate has increased slightly since 2002, and in the majority of states the rate meets the Healthy People 2010 target of 70%. Ohio reported that 75.9 percent of women in the state had a mammogram in 2006.


The most important things women can do to ensure good health include getting all recommended screening tests, be tobacco free, be physically active, eat a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight and take preventive medicines is prescribed by your doctor.


Screening tests can find diseases early when they are easier to treat. Health experts from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force have made recommendations, based on scientific evidence, about testing for the conditions below. Talk to your doctor about which ones apply to you and when and how often you should be tested.


For more information about National Women’s Health Week activities, visit the Web site www.womenshealth.gov/whw or call (800) 994-9662 (TTY: (888) 220-5446).


Sedgmer may be reached at ksedgmer@hotmail.com.