In a news release issued May 11, U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, announced that Mother’s Day will begin the observance of National Women’s Health Week, which will run from May 13 through 19 this year.
This annual observance, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office on Women’s Health, “brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women’s health,” HHS states on its website WomensHealth.gov, which provides more information about the event.
“The theme [of National Women's Health Week] this year is “It’s Your Time.” We can all celebrate the women in our lives during National Women’s Health Week by encouraging them to make the time to address their own health. Healthy, strong women are essential to having healthy strong children and communities, but too often women place the needs of others before their own needs,” Secretary Sebelius said in her news release about the event.
Focus on Prevention and Wellness
National Women’s Health Week focuses particularly on encouraging women to take steps to protect their own health and wellness and make the lifestyle changes that will prevent diseases.
HHS’ website dedicated to the event (WomensHealth.gov) states in part:
- Visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings.
- Get active.
- Eat healthy.
- Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
- Avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet.”
The Affordable Care Act Promotes & Supports Women’s Health
In her statement on National Women’s Health Week, HHS Secretary Sebelius emphasized the support for women’s health that is provided by the Affordable Care Act, President Obama’s signature health reform law.
“Because of the new health care law, the Affordable Care Act, being a woman will no longer be considered a pre-existing condition,” Secretary Sebelius said.
“Women with non-grandfathered health coverage or Medicare can now obtain preventive care, such as well-women visits, mammograms, pap smears, and cancer screenings without co-pays or other cost-sharing,” because of the Affordable Care Act, she noted.
For more information on preventive health care made available to women under the Affordable Care Act, see Health Reform Law (Obamacare) Provides 45 Million Women with Preventive Health Care.
“National Women’s Checkup Day, May 14, [which is part of the National Women's Health Week observance] serves as a reminder that women should schedule a visit with their doctor to discuss which screening tests they need. Regular checkups and appropriate screenings can help detect diseases early, when treatment is most effective,” Secretary Sebelius urged.
For further information on the Affordable Care Act and what it means for women, visit HealthCare.gov.
Further Information on National Women’s Health Week 2012 and Related Observances Promoting Women’s Health
For more information about National Women’s Health Week, see WomensHealth.gov.
To see The State of Women’s Health Video Townhall with Secretary Sebelius, visit http://www.healthcare.gov/blog/2012/01/video_townhall.html.
To see Women’s Health Living Room Discussions with Secretary Sebelius, visit http://www.healthcare.gov/videos/2012/03/womens-health-baltimore-discussions.html.
More Information
See related HelpingYouCare™ reports on:
For Women’s History Month, Govt Focuses on Women’s Health & Education
Health Reform Law (Obamacare) Provides 45 Million Women with Preventive Health Care.
New Reports Highlight Harm to Women if Supreme Court Strikes Down Health Care Law
HHS Notes Successes of Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) on its 2-Year Anniversary
Medicare’s Free Annual Wellness Visits
Women Bear Heaviest Burden of Alzheimer’s Worldwide, New Survey Shows
National Women’s Health Week May 8 – May 14 (2011) — Focus on Older Women’s Heart Health
For more information on prevention, wellness and healthy lifestyle, see the HelpingYouCare™ resource pages on Wellness/ Healthy Living for Seniors & Caregivers, including:
- Diet & Nutrition: Physical Wellness;
- Exercise: Physical Wellness;
- Sleep, Hygiene, Quit Smoking & Other Healthy Practices: Physical Wellness;
- Activities to Preserve Mental Acuity: Intellectual Wellness;
- Social Interaction & A Sense of Connection With Others: Social Wellness;
- Other Areas of Wellness: Emotional, Ethical/ Spiritual & Vocational Wellness; and
- Examples of Healthy Aging: Stories of Inspiring Seniors.
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