Women's Health

In the Spotlight

Leading Causes of Death in Females, United States, 2007
The Leading Causes of Death in Females, 2007, are now available in one page table formats.
Healthy Living Calendars
2012 Healthy Living Calendars are here! Take a moment to view these one-page calendars that promote taking simple steps for a safe and healthy life.

Science and Research

Progress Toward Implementation of Human Papillomavirus Vaccination - the Americas, 2006-2010
Although progress has been made in HPV vaccine introduction in the Americas, several important challenges to implementation of HPV vaccination in the Americas exist, including cost, competing demands for the introduction of other new vaccines, and limited health-care delivery systems that reach adolescents.
Antidepressant Use in Persons Aged 12 and Over: United States, 2005-2008
Females are more likely to take antidepressants than are males, and non-Hispanic white persons are more likely to take antidepressants than are non-Hispanic black and Mexican-American persons.
Teenagers in the United States: Sexual Activity, Contraceptive Use, and Childbearing, 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth (pdf)
This report presents national estimates of sexual activity, contraceptive use, and births among males and females aged 15–19 in the United States in 2006–2010 from the National Survey of Family Growth.
Updated Recommendations for Use of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap) in Pregnant Women and Persons Who Have or Anticipate Having Close Contact with an Infant Aged< 12 Months-Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011
On June 22, 2011, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices made recommendations for use of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis (Tdap) in unvaccinated pregnant women and updated recommendations on cocooning and special situations. This report summarizes data considered and conclusions made by ACIP and provides guidance for implementing its recommendations.
Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors Among Adults Aged ≥18 Years - United States, 2008-2009
This report is the first to present state-level data concerning answers to questions related to suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts from the 2008 and 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The prevalence of suicidal thoughts was significantly higher among females than it was among males, but there was no statistically significant difference for suicide planning or suicide attempts.
Nonfatal Traumatic Brain Injuries Related to Sports and Recreation Activities Among Persons Aged ≤19 Years - United States, 2001--2009
The number of sports and recreation-related emergency department (ED) visits for traumatic brain injury (TBI) among persons aged ≤19 years increased 62% and the rate of TBI visits increased 57%. For males and females aged ≤9 years, TBIs most commonly occurred during playground activities or when bicycling. For persons aged 10-19 years, females sustained TBIs most often while playing soccer or basketball, or while bicycling.
Best Practices for Screening Reproductive Aged Women for Chronic Disease and Related Risk Factors, Preventing Chronic Disease, November 2011
Ten articles on women’s health issues are featured in the November 2011 issue of Preventing Chronic Disease.

Health and Wellness

Drinking and Driving: A Threat to Everyone
Alcohol-impaired drivers are involved in about 1 in 3 crash deaths, resulting in nearly 11,000 deaths in 2009. Driving drunk is never OK. Choose not to drink and drive and help others do the same.
Women with Disabilities and Breast Cancer
Women with disabilities are also at risk of breast cancer. If you are between 40–49, talk with your doctor about getting a mammogram. If you're 50–74, get a mammogram every 2 years.

Programs and Partnerships

A Message to Health Care Professionals: Teen Pregnancy
Teens urge health care professionals across the nation to talk to their teen patients about pregnancy and contraception to help improve the lives of all young people.
Million Hearts Goal to Prevent a Million Heart Attacks and Strokes in Five Years
Among the actions available today to reduce stroke and heart attacks, Million Hearts seeks to improve clinical care by helping patients learn and follow their ABCS: aspirin for people at risk, blood pressure control, cholesterol management, and smoking cessation.
Breast Cancer Awareness
The best way to find breast cancer early is with a mammogram. If you are a woman age 50 years or older, be sure to have a screening mammogram every two years.
Prevent Domestic Violence in Your Community
A key strategy in preventing intimate partner violence is the promotion of respectful, nonviolent intimate partner relationships through individual, community, and societal level change.
CDC Announces New Effort to Boost Number of Baby-Friendly Hospitals
CDC has awarded nearly $6 million over three years to the National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality to help hospitals nationwide make quality improvements to maternity care to better support mothers and babies to be able to breastfeed. The goal of the project is to accelerate the number of U.S. Baby-Friendly hospitals.
CDC Launches Effort to Protect Cancer Patients from Infections
CDC’s Preventing Infections in Cancer Patients program is a comprehensive initiative focusing on providing information, action steps, and tools for patients, their families, and their health care providers to reduce the risk of life-threatening infections during chemotherapy treatment.