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HHS Secretary Leavitt Celebrates Fifth Annual National Women's Health Week

Posted on: Tuesday, 10 May 2005, 12:00 CDT

WASHINGTON, May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- HHS Secretary Leavitt urges women to get a preventive screening during National Women's Health Week. On Monday, May 9, over 1,000 community centers, hospitals, and other health care providers across the country began offering preventive health care screenings and other services as part of HHS' National Women's Health Week.

"Women are good at taking care of friends and their families, but often overlook themselves," Secretary Leavitt said. "With over a thousand community centers, hospitals and health care providers offering preventive services to women we hope they will take a moment to focus on personal health that could add years to their life."

During National Women's Health Week, women should discuss with their health care professionals which of the tests are right for them, when they should have them, and how often. Women can start by inquiring about the following screening tests and guidelines:

* Mammograms every one to two years starting at age 40

* Pap smears every one to three years if sexually active or older than 21

* Cholesterol checks regularly, starting at age 45 (If a smoker, diabetic,

or if heart disease runs in the family, cholesterol checks should start

at age 20)

* Diabetes tests if diagnosed with high blood pressure or high cholesterol

* Blood pressure checked at least every two years, beginning at age 18

Maintaining regular check ups is one of five health habits that can improve a woman's health. The others include physical activity, a healthy diet, not smoking and follow general safety rules.

Ms. Wheelchair America Juliette Rizzo is the spokeswoman for this year's National Women's Health Week. She will help bring awareness to the 28 million women born with or that have acquired a disability during their lifetime.

Disabled women often ignore their own health, wellness, and physical activity needs," Rizzo said. "During National Women's Health Week we must make an effort to visit our doctors regularly and use prevention as a tool for better living."

National Women's Health Week is a national effort by an alliance of government 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. This year's National Women's Health Week offers over 1,000 events throughout all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Most of these events offer free screenings and medical information that will help women lead health lives.

During National Women's Health Week, Mrs. Laura Bush, Mrs. Nancy Reagan, and Secretary Mike Leavitt will participate in the unveiling of the First Ladies Red Dress Collection. The Red Dress is the centerpiece of The Heart Truth a national campaign reminding women to protect their heart health and inspiring to them to take action against the leading killer of women.

More information on National Women's Health Week including health brochures, statistics, prevention tips and lists of events by city and state, is available at http://www.4woman.gov/whw/ or by calling 800-994-WOMAN or TDD 888-220-5466.

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

CONTACT: HHS Press Office, +1-202-690-6343

Web site: http://www.hhs.gov/http://www.4woman.gov/whw

Source: PRNewswire

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