National Women's Health Week

Make This Your Own Personal Health “Adjustment” Week.
(Photo source: http://www.womenshealth.gov/)


May 12th kicks off the 14th annual celebration of National Women’s Health Week, a week long health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health. Obviously, it shouldn’t take a special week to take better care of our health but let’s face it, national weeks like these call attention to important issues and help to raise awareness. Or in my case, they usually remind me to “up my health game”. Tweak my routine.
Basically, National Women’s Health Week is designed to bring together communities, businesses, government, health organizations and other groups in an effort to:
• promote women’s health and its importance.
• empower women to make our health a priority
• encourage us to take five steps to improve our physical and mental health and lower our risks of certain diseases

Five Important Steps to Better Health

1. Visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings
2. Increase your physical activity
3. Eat healthier and improve your diet
4. Improve your mental including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
5. Stop or avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet, and texting while driving.

Find a Health Week Related Event in Your Community

A high-profile week of national observance like this also means that women’s centers, clinics, churches, schools, community groups, businesses and organizations hold valuable health-related 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. Check the site for events planned in your area. You can also make something happen right in your own neighborhood. The Office on Women’s Health makes it easy to get involved by providing convenient event planning tools, website graphics and social media tactics, posters, infographics and printable resources.

Make This Your Own Personal Health “Adjustment” Week

National Women's Health Week

Five Steps to Better Health (Image source: http://www.womenshealth.gov/ )


Yes, this is a national week of observance, but it’s really all about you and how you decide to use the information and resources to support your own health. Each day of National Women’s Health Week highlights one aspect of importance to improving women’s health and so can you.
Use each day of the week to recommit to your own health and devise a to-do list of positive actions to take or improvements to make in your health, nutrition and exercise routines. You can click on each day’s links below for helpful tips, information and resources:
May 13 – National Women’s Checkup Day
May 14 – Physical Activity
May 15 – Nutrition
May 16 – Mental Health
May 17 – Healthy Behavior
May 18 – Wrap-up
The most important thing is to continue those good habits throughout the year. (I know, it’s easier said than done.)
Learn much more about planned events or how to get involved by visiting the official website for National Women’s Health Week. Or if you have specific questions, email womenshealth@hhs.gov.
 
What are you doing to improve your health during National Women’s Health Week, and beyond? Share your comments, opinions or suggestions with us.