Announcements: National Women's Health Week --- May 8--14, 2011

Announcements: National Women's Health Week --- May 8--14, 2011
Weekly
May 6, 2011 / 60(17);553




In 2007, the life expectancy for women in the United States reached 80.4 years, a 0.2-year increase from 2006 (1). The top five leading causes of death for U.S. females in 2006 were diseases of the heart, malignant neoplasms, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and Alzheimer's disease (2).

Beginning May 8, 2011 (Mother's Day), the 12th annual National Women's Health Week encourages women to make health a top priority and to take simple steps to achieve a longer, healthier, happier life. With a theme of "It's Your Time," the week-long celebration brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups across the United States to promote women's health. Regular physical activity, healthful eating, healthy weight maintenance, quitting tobacco use, managing stress, protecting themselves from injury, and periodic check-ups are a few of the many actions that can lead to safer and healthier lives (3).

CDC promotes and advances the health and safety of women through development, implementation, and support of research, disease surveillance, and national, state, and local disease prevention and health promotion programs. Through numerous partnerships and programs, CDC works to improve women's health in areas such as reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections, breast and cervical cancer screening, gynecologic cancers, occupational safety and health, immunizations, birth defects prevention, heart disease, and violence against women.

Additional information about women's health is available at http://www.cdc.gov/women. Additional information about National Women's Health Week is available at http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw.

References
1.Xu JQ, Kochanek KD, Murphy SL, Tejada-Vera B. Deaths: final data for 2007. Natl Vital Stat Rep 2010;58(19).
2.Heron M. Deaths: leading causes for 2006. Natl Vital Stat Rep 2010;58(14).
3.CDC. Tips for a safe and healthy life. Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2006. Available at
http://www.cdc.gov/family/tips/index.htm. Accessed May 3, 2011.

Announcements: National Women's Health Week --- May 8--14, 2011