National Women’s Health Week Encourages Arkansas Women to Take Time for Health

(Little Rock–) National Women’s Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health. With the theme “It’s Your Time,” the nationwide initiative encourages women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life. During National Women’s Health Week, communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups work together to educate women about steps they can take to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases.

The 11th annual National Women’s Health Week will begin May 9, 2010 with the eight-week Woman Challenge, an online physical activity program. National Women’s Checkup Day will be on Monday, May 10, 2010. In Arkansas, several county local health units, women’s coalitions, faith based organizations, local hospitals, civic and community organizations have planned activities. The educational awareness events will be coordinated by the Arkansas Department of Health local health units in Ashley, Drew, Garland, Independence, Johnson, Pulaski, Randolph and Union counties. Lunch and Learn sessions are scheduled for the week at the Sebastian County Local Health Unit, and the Dallas County Local Health Unit is planning a Women’s Health Tea. In Little Rock, the National Association of University Women/Arkansas Association of University Women Coalition will host an event at the 1620 Restaurant on May 9, 2010. All registered events are available at http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw.

“National Women’s Health Week is important because it encourages women to take time for their health,” says Jennifer Dillaha, M.D., director for the Arkansas Department of Health’s Center for Health Advancement. “We encourage everyone to participate in the planned activities throughout the state this month. The events will educate women regarding the simple steps they can take to improve their health, prevent disease, and lead longer, healthier and happier lives no matter what their age.”

C. Michael Riddell, M.D., women’s health medical consultant, ADH Women’s Health Section states, ”Women are often the caregivers for their families and, as a result, forget to make their own health a priority. With National Women’s Health Week, we remind women that they too need to visit the doctor, make sure their screenings are up to date, and take a few minutes to think about their own health.”

Women are often the caregivers for their spouses, children, and parents and forget to focus on their own health. Research shows that when women take care of themselves, the health of their family improves. After all, when women take even the simplest steps to improve their health, the results can be significant and everyone can benefit.