National Women’s Health Week May 14 – 20, 2006 Women’s Health Education Program, a nationally designated Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, and Ambassador for Change in Women’s Health About National Women’s Health Week National Women's Health Week is a national effort by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and an alliance of organizations to raise awareness about manageable steps women can take to improve their health. The focus is on the importance of incorporating simple preventive and positive health behaviors into everyday life. NATIONAL ACADEMY ON WOMEN'S HEALTH MEDICAL EDUCATION’S Definition of ‘Women’s Health’ Women's Health is devoted to facilitating the preservation of wellness and prevention of illness in women, and includes: screening, diagnosis and management of conditions which: are unique to women are more common in women are more serious in women have manifestations, risk factors or interventions which are different in women It also: recognizes the importance of the study of gender differences recognizes multidisciplinary team approaches includes the values and knowledge of women and their own experience of health and illness recognizes the diversity of women's health needs over the life cycle, and how these needs reflect differences in race, class, ethnicity, culture, sexual preference and levels of education and access to medical care includes the empowerment of women, as for all patients, to be informed participants in their own health care Adopted by NAWHME September 26, 1994 Women’s Health Events There are five places in Philadelphia sponsoring events for Women’s Health Week 1. Woodland Avenue Health Center’s Search Your Heart May 11, 2006 - May 31, 2006 5000 Woodland Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19143 215-925-2400 ext. 1076 www.gphainc.org Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc (GPHA), The American Heart Association, and Americhoice have partnered to provide a free 12-week program promoting healthy living, heart health, and stroke prevention that’s informational, interactive, and fun. 2. Chiropractic Center May 14, 2006 - May 20, 2006 10 am to 2 pm C. Morgan Chiropractic Center 1019 Christian Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 215-861-4637 The center will be conducting free health care screenings, range of motion testing, lectures and presentations. 3. Covenant House May 15, 2006 - May 19, 2006 9am to 3pm 251 E. Bringhurst Street Philadelphia, PA 19144 215-844-1020 Ext. 235 or 215-844-0181 for appointments. Free blood pressure screenings, breast exams, diabetes screenings, free nutritional counseling, and STD and HIV testing. Free PAP smears will be available only by appointments. 4. Healthy Mothers, Daughters and Sisters May 18, 2006 10 am to 2 pm Liddonfield Home 8768 Glenloch Street Philadelphia, PA 19136 215-861-4637 Disseminate information to the community on breast cancer, healthy eating habits, exercise, and women's wellness. 5. HIV/AIDS 101 & Your Medication Options Germantown Settlement Health Initiatives May 18, 2006 12 pm to 2 pm 16 E. Wister St. Philadelphia, PA 19144 215-861-4637 Workshop for consumers and health professionals accessing HIV/AIDS services. WOMAN Challenge 2006 Increase your activity! Set a goal and choose 1 of 6 virtual routes throughout the United States to move along during the challenge. Explore the country without leaving your hometown! Go to: www.4woman.gov/whw/woman/ Ongoing Women’s Health Resources West Philadelphia Campus Community Consortium to Reduce Violence Crimes Against Women a collaboration between Drexel, Penn and University of the Sciences that provides trainings, workshops and prevention for West Philadelphia www.combatviolenceagainstwomen.org Ongoing Women’s Health Resources DUCOM Center for Women’s Health – a multidisciplinary center with the mission of providing comprehensive, collaborative, and compassionate care to women. On-site services include: primary care internal medicine, hematology, endocrinology, and cardiology. In addition, on-site laboratory testing and cervical cancer screening (PAP tests) are available. Location: 219 North Broad Street Building Phone: 215-762-5181 www.drexelmed.edu/cwh The Heart Truth Heart disease is the #1 killer of American women. One in three women dies of heart disease. Also heart disease can also lead to disability and a significantly decreased quality of life. Unfortunately, only 20 percent of women identify heart disease as the greatest health problem facing women today http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth/ Women and Heart Disease About 6 million American women have coronary heart disease. Heart disease has no quick fix—even if an angioplasty is performed, heart disease will worsen unless treated with lifestyle changes and medication. 38% of women will die within 1 year after having an initial recognized heart attack About 35% of women who have had a heart attack will have another within 6 years. About half of women who have a heart attack will be disabled with heart failure within 6 years. Heart failure is a lifethreatening condition in which the heart cannot pump enough blood to supply the body’s needs. Tips for a Healthy Heart Don't smoke, and if you do, quit. Women who smoke are two to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than non-smoking women. Smoking also boosts the risk of stroke and cancer. Aim for a healthy weight. It's important for a long, vigorous life. Overweight and obesity cause many preventable deaths. Get moving. Make a commitment to be more physically active. Aim for 30 minutes of moderateintensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week. Eat for heart health. Choose a diet low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol, and moderate in total fat. Know your numbers. Ask your doctor to check your blood pressure, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL, triglycerides), and blood glucose. Work with your doctor to improve any numbers that are not normal. For More Information To find out more about health resources, regional activities, and who is participating in National Women’s Health Week, go to: www.4woman.gov/whw/ To find out more on The Heart Truth, go to: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/hearttruth