Get Ready for National Women’s Health Week 2009!
This year the 10th annual National Women’s Health Week kicks off today! It is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH). This year’s theme is “It’s Your Timeâ€.
Some tips to increase physical and mental health include:
- Getting at least 2 ½ hours 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 for regular checkups and preventive screenings.
- Avoiding risky behaviors, like smoking and not wearing a seatbelt.
- Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
Locally there are a few events that are taking place:
Taking it to the Streets – A City Walk and Lunch promoting women’s mental and physical health (http://www.tulane.edu/~tuxcoe/NewWebsite/com_womens_health/index.html)
Ask your Health Provider – Clinical screening & exam, HIV & STI treatment and/or prevention, Taking the Pledge! (http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=264)
So far, Louisiana only has 6 women who took the pledge and is trailing far behind Missouri which has 155 pledges, so take the pledge today!
One week, not enough?
If you’d like to continue the Woman Challenge there is an eight-week online activity program that allows you to track your progress, so sign up today!
For more information please visit http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/ .