National Women's Health Week

With this past Sunday celebrating Mother’s Day, it is fitting that May 8 – 14, 2011, is National Women’s Health Week. I know from firsthand experience that between juggling kids, home responsibilities and work, my personal needs are often last on the list. And this includes looking after my own health.

National Women's Health Week is being coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health in conjunction with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. The hope is that National Women's Health Week will bring together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups to promote women's health.

Women have different health needs during various stages in their lives, but we all may face health concerns such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, weight management and stress. Yes, stress…and lots of it.

To borrow and adapt a phrase from one of my favorite Madonna songs (Express Yourself), “So come on girls, do you believe in your health? Now we’ve got something to say about it!” Let’s empower women to make their health a top priority this week. It may be time to schedule an annual physical, refine your weekly workout routine or start one, or get to bed early/find time for a nap. Okay, maybe a nap is not realistic, but getting to bed by 10 p.m. could happen with just a little planning.

Here’s what you can do to spread the word:

• Tweet and post on Facebook about the National Women’s Health Week, what you are doing for your own health or how you are encouraging friends to focus on their health: http://1.usa.gov/yOFew

• Use/follow the hashtags: #NWHW and #WomensHealth

Check out the following resources and share with your co-workers:

• A week-long email series covering important women's health issues; and a template to drop in the information and use as flyers.

• A poster promoting important health steps every woman should take as well as providing resources for more information.

Here’s to your health this week and for a lifetime,
~ Amy