National Women’s Health Week (NWHW) is a weeklong health observance led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH), celebrated each year after Mother’s Day. During the week of May 10–16, 2020, Abarca goes all in to raise awareness about manageable steps women can take to improve their health, standing with communities around the country to remind women of all ages to make their health a priority and take care of themselves, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak.
For women and girls who live with preexisting health conditions such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, this call to action is especially important. Also, women over the age of 65 years old, need to make these health precautions even more of a priority.
What steps can I take for better health?
The Office on Women’s Health encourages women and girls of all ages to:
-Take care of your body and mind.
-Visit a doctor or nurse for a well-woman checkup and preventive screenings.
-Get active and eat healthily.
-Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
-Avoid smoking and vaping. (Smoking weakens your lungs and puts you at a much higher risk of having serious complications.)
Women & Heart Disease
Although heart disease is sometimes thought of as a man’s disease, almost as many women as men die each year of heart disease in the U.S. Access this fact sheet provided by the CDC which includes heart disease risk factors, how women can reduce their risk, and other related resources.
The Office on Women’s Health (OWH) also provides valuable information on the prevention and risks, as well as resources on common conditions afflicting women such as:
The OWH also provides important information to women on Breastfeeding, Menstruation, Pregnancy, and Family Planning.
Resources are also available for female teens on health topics such as environmental health, Sex and STDs, fitness, and nutrition here.
Taking steps toward better health is not always easy, and every woman has her own circumstances and approach. The key is to find the methods that work best for you, to find what motivates you, and to understand what’s holding you back from achieving your health goals.
Most importantly, as with all diseases, prevention is essential –catching a condition early on can make all the difference between life and death. This is why women should discuss with their health care professionals which of the health tests are right for them when they should have them, and how often. Your health is a lifelong journey that is personal and unique. It’s yours and it’s in your hands.
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This blog was written by Suzette Velez, Director Of Clinical Services at Abarca Health.