Women’s Health Week: May 9 to 15

“It’s your time”. This is the 2010 theme of Women’s Health Week which started on Mother’s Day, May 9 and continues till the end of the week. Make your personal health a priority! This is the take home message. Yet millions of American women do not or cannot take the time and follow this advice. One of the barriers to deal with was the limited access to affordable health care. Health insurance companies charged higher premiums for women than men, yet their policies may not even include maternity care or breast cancer screening. All these are about to change. According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Secretary Kathleen Sebelius:

“For too many years, American women have been paying the price for a broken health care system that was not set up to help them.  Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, Women’s Health Week 2010 can be a true celebration of a healthier future for the women of America, and a new opportunity for all Americans to live longer, happier, and healthier lives.”

US President Barack Obama explains why women’s health is important:

“The health of American women and girls is not just a women’s issue; all Americans have a vested interest.  Women are the foundation of many families, and by encouraging their wellness, we also promote the vitality of our children and our communities. By standing firm in our commitment to improve women’s health, we can give our daughters and granddaughters and all Americans a brighter future.”

However, we women should also do our part. We should ensure that our lifestyle and that of our family promotes health and happiness. Here are some tips from the HHS’ Office on Women’s Health:

• Getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes 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 to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings
• Avoiding risky behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt
• Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress

Check out other Women’s Health related events:

• May 10 is National Women’s Checkup Day
• Woman Challenge, an 8-week online physical activity program which started on May 9