From the NWHIC Project Director U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office on Women's Health (OWH) Springtime is in full bloom, and I'll be keeping my fingers crossed to see more May flowers than April showers. Even though we will all be "springing forward" and losing an hour in our day on April 4th, I plan on getting some additional use out of the brighter day by gardening, taking walks with my family after dinner, and enjoying the sites and sounds of the season. As things begin to bloom and new life literally springs from the ground, you may want to take a moment to think about how important a single life really is and consider becoming an organ donor. April is National Donate Life Month, sponsored by the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Transplantation. There is always a critical need for organ, tissue, and blood donors in our country, and you may want to take some time to discuss your options with your family and loved ones. With longer evenings this month, it's time to get your children, nephews, nieces, or young neighbors together for a game of softball, kickball or tag in honor of National Youth Sports Safety Month and YMCA Healthy Kids Day on April 3. Show them the importance of adding sports to their lives while teaching them how to participate safely and responsibly. You can also teach your kids about the dangers of drinking. This month we recognize National Alcohol Awareness Month. This year's theme is Save a Life: End Underage Drinking. This campaign promotes Alcohol-Free Weekend the first weekend of April to encourage Americans to find alternatives to alcohol. I challenge you to put down your wine glass and be a role model for young adults and teens who are often tempted to emulate adults when it comes to drinking wine, beer, and liquor. As you prepare for Easter by hiding eggs around the yard or celebrate Passover with a lavish family meal, be open to ways you can improve your health and your family's health this month.
Valerie Scardino, M.P.A.
NWHIC Project Director, Office on Women's Health, DHHS News from the Office on Women's Health (OWH)/ National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC)
Check Out our NEW Mental Health Section!
As a resource of current mental health relevant information, our new Mental Health Page covers a range of topics from post-partum depression to eating disorders. There is a listing of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), updated mental health news, annual mental health events, and a resource page for mental health hotlines and web sites.
Please visit our new page at www.womenshealth.gov/mh/
NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH WEEK 2004!
Plan now to join the 2004 National Women's Health Week celebration, May 9-15. Whether you are an individual, health care provider, business leader, community organization, or governor, there is something you can do to participate in National Women's Health Week.
Let us know how you will be participating in National Women's Health Week this year! Your comments may be printed in next month's newsletter in celebration of National Women's Health Week!
Send your comments through this page: or email us at:
Click here for more information about National Women's Health Week: .
Updated FAQs on Anemia, Date Rape Drugs and Anorexia Nervosa
We have updated a few of our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) online about these topics in an effort to provide you with the most up to date information available. All of our FAQs are easily printable directly from our website. If printing is a problem for you, you may also request this information by calling our toll-free number at 800-994-9662.
Get a FREE Adolescent Planner at 4GIRLS.GOV !
Visit and order a FREE 2004 adolescent calendar and planner for teens. The link to order is located right on the home page at . Developed by the Office on Women's Health and the National Women's Health Information Center, the web site was created for girls ages 10 to 16 and focuses on many health topics that respond to adolescent girls' health concerns. 4girls.gov motivates girls to choose healthy behaviors using positive and supportive messages.
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: 800-994-9662 or TDD 888-220-5446.
FREE BREASTFEEDING INFORMATION PACKETS NOW AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, AND CHINESE! This information is also available through our toll-free call center at 800-994-9662 and on our web site. 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.
Other News on Women's Health
2004 MINORITY WOMEN'S HEALTH SUMMIT ¨CSAVE THE DATE!
"Women of Color, Taking Action for a Healthier Life:
Progress, Partnerships and Possibilities"
August 12 - 15, 2004
8/12 - Afternoon Plenary Session/Registration
8/13 & 8/14 - Plenary Session and Workshops
8/15 - Morning Plenary Session
JW Marriott Hotel
1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
Please visit for more information & to learn more about the CALL FOR ABSTRACTS. The deadline for abstract submission is APRIL 16, 2004 by 5:00 p.m. EST
The following will be available soon:
Registration Information & Materials
Scholarship Application
Exhibit Package
Objectives for the 2004 Minority Women's Health Summit
This conference will build on the outcomes of the 1997 National Conference "Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Partnerships to Improve Minority Women's Health." Key areas in women's health including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS will be highlighted. The goals of the conference include:
Exploring current prevention strategies that work in various communities, both urban and rural.
Promoting dialogue among policy makers, service providers, community women, academia and other stakeholders to address current health care issues for women of color.
Recommending action-oriented strategies to increase positive health outcomes for women of color across the lifespan, from rural and urban communities.
Fostering community partnerships to identify and implement best practices that target prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases that disproportionately affect women of color.
Promoting strategies to diversify leadership in health sciences, education, research and policy.
Ensuring health issues of women of color remain at the forefront of national, state and local health policy agendas.
For more information please contact: Elizabeth David at (202) 205-0571, Adrienne Smith at (202) 690-5884, or Frances Ashe-Goins at (202) 690-6373.
HHS Launches New Web Site in Effort to Fight Overweight Epidemic
As part of the Healthy Lifestyles & Disease Prevention initiative, HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson unveiled a new interactive Web site -- , which encourages Americans to make small activity and dietary changes, such as using stairs instead of an elevator, or taking a walk instead of watching television.
This public awareness and education campaign encourages American families to take small, manageable steps within their current lifestyle -- versus drastic changes -- to ensure effective, long-term weight control. With poor diet and physical inactivity poised to become the leading preventable cause of death in America, Secretary Tommy Thompson renewed efforts against obesity, announcing a new national education campaign and research strategy at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
For more information, please visit the Department of Health and Human Services News Page:
OWH and NWHIC Around Town We will be in Baltimore, MD this April. If you're in town, please drop by our booth to ask us questions about NWHIC and OWH or just stop in and say hi.
2nd National Steps to a HealthierUS Summit
April 29¨C30, 2004
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel
You are invited to attend the 2nd national Steps to a HealthierUS summit, which will advance Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson's Steps to a HealthierUS initiative launched in 2003. This April national summit will focus on chronic disease prevention and health promotion and will feature presentations on asthma, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and cancer, as well as lifestyle choices, including nutrition, physical activity, and tobacco use. The Steps initiative is committed to bringing policymakers, health professionals, business communities, and the public together to establish model programs and policies that foster healthy behavior changes, encourage healthier lifestyle choices, and reduce disparities in health care.
This summit is focused on building a healthier nation with goals to:
Establish the preeminent platform for an annual "State of the Nation's Health" assessment on the latest research, economics, trends, and technology related to the President's HealthierUS initiative and chronic disease prevention and health promotion.
Bring together the foremost authorities on prevention, science, state and local policy, and effective intervention programs.
Expand community outreach efforts and effective strategies for building private-public collaborations to support chronic disease prevention and behavioral change.
Gain access to the best "how to" learning resources, best practices, and implementation methods to help make a difference in your community.
Provide continuing education credits for health professionals and students.
For more information please click here:
Recipes: Savor the Season
This month is a good time to cook up healthy and nutritious dinners. Try something from every color of the rainbow in an effort to eat a broader spectrum of fruits and vegetables.
Visit the 5-A-day Campaign to find out other ways to incorporated fruits and vegetables into your diet.
FOR DINNER:
VEGETARIAN:
FOR DESSERT:
Who can pass up this Month!
National Observances MONTH LONG OBSERVANCES:
Alcohol Awareness Month
Cancer Control Month
IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) Awareness Month
National Occupational Therapy Month
National STD Awareness Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
National Donate Life Month
National Facial Protection
Candlelight Vigil for Eating Disorders Awareness
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sports Eye Safety Month
WEEK LONG OBSERVANCES:
National Public Health Week (April 5-11)
National Minority Cancer Awareness Week (April 18-24)
National Volunteer Week (April 18-24)
National Infant Immunization Week (April 25-May 1)
DAY LONG OBSERVANCES:
Alcohol Free Weekend (April 2-4)
YMCA Healthy Kids Day (April 3)
World Health Day (April 7)
National Alcohol Screening Day (April 8)
2004 WalkAmerica (April 24-25)
Featured Organizations Division of Transplantation, OSP, HRSA
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Parklawn Building, Room 16C-17
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
(301) 443-7577
ask@hrsa.gov
www.organdonor.gov
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
20 Exchange Place, Suite 2902
New York, NY 10005
(212) 269-7797
(800) NCA-CALL (24-hour Helpline)
(212) 269-7510 Fax
national@ncadd.org
www.ncadd.org
National Youth Sports Safety Foundation
One Beacon Street, Suite 3333
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 367-6677
(617) 722-9999 Fax
nyssf@aol.com
www.nyssf.org
Contact: Rita Glassman
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
123 North Enola Drive
Enola, PA 17025
(877) 739-3895
(717) 909-0714 Fax
resources@nsvrc.org
www.nsvrc.org
YMCA of the USA
101 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 977-0031
(888) 333-YMCA
yakina.boone@ymca.net
www.ymca.net
Contact: Yakina Boone
Who is Using NWHIC's Services?
Arizona, Massachusetts, Main, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Tennessee and Wyoming are the states with the LOWEST calls last month to our Information and Referral Line (1-800-994-WOMAN). If you reside in one of these states, we encourage you to make your first call in April and request some of the listed publications in this month's newsletter.
Maryland & Georgia brought in the most calls this month. Our most frequent health topic requests for March were for information on these topics: pregnancy, breast cancer, HPV, menstruation, and disability. What People Are Saying... About the 2004 Women¡¯s Health Daybook! ¡°4 women ¨C to women- about women. The impact of this daybook has changed my life. I read it from cover to cover. I put it to practice. I¡¯m a cancer survivor this book has opened my eyes, has helped me in so many ways. It has enlightened me. It has enabled me to speak with my doctor on better terms. It gives me knowledge. Thank you so much for sending this book to me. I am forever grateful. Keep up the good work.¡±
-Beth. Lancaster, PA
¡°Thanks to your Women¡¯s Health Daybook, I found breast cancer in its early stages. Thank you. Looking forward to having your 2004 Daybook. Thanks again.¡±
-Sheila. Joplin, MO
¡°This booklet has been such a wonderful source of information. I¡¯ve been able to share it and use it to peek interest in people to inform them about THEIR health. It¡¯s very well put together and easy to read. I have a place of business and would very much like to know how to obtain books for 2004 and share them with others. Thanks.¡±
-Cheryl. Detroit, MI
¡°This book is fabulous. It makes scheduling very easy for me. It gives me reminders about things to ask my doctors about types of check ups I need. I am a breast cancer survivor so I have many check ups and various doctors. I love the layout and the information is very helpful. Thank you! I look forward to the 2004 Daybook.¡±
-Susan. Arlington, VA
¡°Thank you! Thank you! This is my second edition of your Women¡¯s Health Daybook. I have gained more knowledge about women¡¯s health issues from these two books and I am sixty years old. The books to me are like my American Express card, ¡°Don¡¯t leave home without it.¡± Keep up the good work. The format and content are great. I am looking forward to the next issue.¡±
-Jennie. Beaufort, SC
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