National Women's
Health Week
National
Women's Health Week is a weeklong health observance
coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services' Office on Women's Health.
It brings together communities,
businesses, government, health organizations, and
other groups in an effort to promote women's health.
The theme for 2011 is "It's Your
Time." National Women's Health Week empowers women to
make their health a top priority.
It also encourages them to take
steps to improve their physical and mental health and
lower their risks of certain diseases.
Those steps include:
* Getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate
physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous
physical activity, or a combination of both, each week
* Eating a nutritious diet
* Visiting a health care professional to receive
regular checkups and preventive screenings
* Avoiding risky behaviors, such as smoking and not
wearing a seatbelt
* Paying attention to mental health, including getting
enough sleep and managing stress
Why celebrate National Women's
Health Week?
We all have a role to play in women's health. Women
often serve as caregivers for their families, putting
the needs of their spouses, children, and parents
before their own. As a result, women's health and
wellbeing becomes secondary. As a community, it is our
responsibility to support the important women we know
and do everything we can to help them take steps for
longer, healthier, and happier lives.
It is also now easier than ever before for women to
take charge of their health, thanks to the Affordable
Care Act, a landmark health care reform law enacted
last year. This law gives Americans greater choice and
better control over their own health care and includes
changes that are especially meaningful to women. For
instance, new plans must cover recommended preventive
services, including mammograms, colonoscopies,
immunizations, and well-baby and well-child screenings
without charging deductibles, co-payments, or
co-insurance. It also assures women the right to see
an OB/GYN without having to obtain a referral first.
To learn more about the new benefits and cost savings
available, please visit
www.HealthCare.gov.
When is National Women's Health Week?
The 12th annual National Women's Health Week kicks off
on Mother's Day, May 8, 2011 and is celebrated until
May 14, 2011. National Women's Checkup Day is Monday,
May 9, 2011.
How is National Women's Health Week celebrated?
The nationwide observance is celebrated across America
in communities, neighborhoods, towns, cities,
counties, hospitals, health centers, businesses,
schools, places of worship, recreation centers, and
online. Anyone who wants to help make women's health a
top priority can celebrate, including local and
national health organizations, local, state, and
federal governments, women's groups, local and
national businesses, social service agencies, media
organizations, libraries, and schools. Organizations
large and small hold events, such as free screenings
and health fairs, give out educational materials,
issue proclamations, conduct media outreach, spread
the word through social media, and more.
For more information:
www.womenshealth.gov/whw


|