Mother's Day on Sunday begins the ninth annual Women's Health Week. National Women's Check-Up Day will be Monday, May 12.
This is a nationwide initiative, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH), and it encourages women to make their health a top priority and 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 also urged to participate by joining hundreds of other women across the country by taking a pledge to schedule at least one of the preventive health screenings recommended by their doctor or nurse within the next 90 days.
They can also participate in one of several other ways, such as preparing for their next check-up by learning about the screening tests that might be applicable to them and discussing those with their health care provider. For convenience, and to encourage women to get screened for common health issues, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality of the United States Department of Health and Human Services has developed a list to help women prepare for their checkups, that can be found on the web at: http://www.ahrq.gov/ppip/healthywom.htm.
The most important preventive aspects of preparation are to get recommended screening tests, be tobacco-free, be physically active, eat a healthy diet, stay at a healthy weight, and take preventive medications if you need them. Women are urged to contact their current health care providers or one of the participating health care providers to schedule check-ups and screening services on National Women's Check-up Day.
Another way that women can care for themselves during Women's Health Month is to recognize and realize that their traditional roles as family caregivers may put them at risk for stress-related problems, and to take care of their emotional health, too, so that they will be able to continue that role without harm as much as possible. The support of family, friends, and even strangers, can be helpful.
Support groups not only provide women with valuable information on how to provide care, or access resources, they provide an emotional buffer against stress. Exercise or walking groups can help women achieve healthier lives, and are also a stress buster.
The Gloucester Council on Aging (978-281-9765), and SeniorCare, Inc. (978-281-1750) can provide women with information about local support groups. For information about participating in National Women's Health Week activities, visit the National Women's Health Week Web site at www.womenshealth.gov/whw or call 800-994-9662 (TTY: 888-220-5446).
Anne Springer is the public relations director for SeniorCare, Inc., which serves Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester, Rockport, Topsfield and Wenham. It mission is to provide and coordinate services to elders, enabling them to live independently and remain part of their community.
