National Women’s Health Week – May 8-14

Follow and join the conversation with #NWHM and #WomensHealthWeek.

National Women’s Health Week is an observance led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health (@womenshealth). The goal is to empower women to make their health a priority. The week also serves as a time to help women understand what steps they can take to improve their health. The 17th annual National Women’s Health Week kicks off on Mother’s Day, May 8, and is celebrated through May 14, 2016. Tweet This

About the Office on Women’s Health
OWH in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was established in 1991 to improve the health of American women by advancing and coordinating a comprehensive women’s health agenda throughout HHS to address health care prevention and service delivery, research, public and health care professional education, and career advancement for women in the health professions and in scientific careers. OWH also works with numerous government agencies, non-profit organizations, consumer groups, and associations of health care professionals. During the early 1990’s, OWH focused on developing women’s health as a specialized issue for government action and attention. With women’s health now firmly rooted in the national health landscape, OWH is focusing on women’s health priorities to meet the sweeping demographic trends of the next century and to focus on the millions of underserved women in America. (taken from the OWH website)

Steps to Improve Your Health
There are many things you can do to improve your health. The Office of Women’s Health (OWH) offers a few suggestions to get you started on the path to better health, both mentally and physically. To begin with, the OWH encourages annual well visits, preventative screenings, physical activity, healthy eating, and enough sleep. In addition, women should pay attention to mental health and manage stress. No matter what age you are the OWH believes you can become healthier and based on your age, take specific steps toward good health.

Get involved
There are a variety of ways you can participate in National Women’s Health Week and help inform others. People across the country can easily get involved online. Use prewritten messages and infographics to spread the word through social media with easy-to-use resources from the #NWHW website. Take a minute to join the National Women’s Health Week Thunderclap and take the National Women’s Health Week pledge. Show your support and like the OWH on facebook or follow them on twitter and pinterest. If you’re not technically inclined or are simply the more hands on type, you can also find a plethora of ideas for organizing events or activities to celebrate the week, everything from a lunchtime walk with coworkers to sipping water instead of a sugary drink. Tweet This