Healthy Women Today Newsletter - August 2011

What Women Want to Know

Highlights from the womenshealth.gov information and referral center

A young woman who recently became sexually active wanted to know if she could have a Pap test done while taking birth control pills. She also wanted to know how often Pap tests should be done. We encouraged her to discuss her situation with her doctor and gave her the following resources:

• Pap Test Fact Sheet
• Pap Tests and Cervical Health: A Healthy Habit for You (National Cancer Institute)
• Pap Test (Mayo Clinic)

Womenshealth.gov Has a New Look!

Our website got a makeover! We listened to your suggestions and made improvements to our design, our navigation, and more. We added features to make finding and sharing information easier. Some of the highlights you will see include:

• Easy navigation at the top of every page
• New online publication request form
• New interactive 'features carousel' on the home page that highlights news and events from the Office on Women's Health
• A 'Share this' feature on every page to easily share information with friends on email, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, and hundreds of other social networking websites
• Easier ways to find our online and print publications
• Easier access to Spanish content
• A new tagline chosen by you – "Empowering women to live healthier lives!"

		If you haven't seen our new look yet, check us out.
		Tell us what you think of the preview on Twitter or Facebook.

Recognize World Breastfeeding Week by Ordering Your Guide to Breastfeeding

World Breastfeeding Week is August 1–7 and you can recognize this important week by ordering Your Guide to Breastfeeding. This easy-to-read publication provides women the how-to information and support needed to breastfeed successfully. It explains why breastfeeding is best for baby, mom, and society and how loved ones can support a mother's decision to breastfeed. Expert tips and illustrations help new moms learn how to breastfeed comfortably and how to overcome common challenges. The wisdom of real moms is shared in personal stories that reassure and encourage.

Call to place your order today: 800-994-9662.

America's Plan for Better Health and Wellness: The National Prevention Strategy is Here!

On June 16, the Surgeon General and members of the National Prevention Council released the first ever National Prevention Strategy, a comprehensive plan to increase the number of Americans who are healthy at every stage of life. The National Prevention Strategy recognizes that good health comes not just from receiving quality medical care, but also from clean air and water, safe outdoor spaces for physical activity, safe worksites, healthy foods, violence-free environments, and healthy homes. Prevention should be woven into all aspects of our lives, including where and how we live, learn, work, and play. Everyone — businesses, educators, health care institutions, government, communities, and every single American — has a role in creating a healthier nation.

Learn more about the National Prevention Strategy.

Let's Move Campaign is Making Strides

By now, most of you have probably heard of the First Lady's Let's Move campaign. Let's Move is dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation, so that children born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams. The initiative took off running and now has special components for military families, child care providers, and American Indians. If you haven't seen what Let's Move has to offer, be sure to check it out today!

Jump over to Let's Move!

MyPlate Makes Choosing Healthy Food Options Easier

Making healthier choices at meal times just got easier. The USDA created MyPlate to help Americans make better food choices and eat healthfully. MyPlate encourages people to think about building a healthy plate using the five food groups: fruit, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy. The idea is to fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables, and the other half with lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.

Learn more about how to make healthier meals with MyPlate.

Healthy Recipes for a Healthy Life

It's hard to beat the heat in August. But these recipes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will have you as cool as a cucumber in no time!

• Cool herbed cucumber soup
• Cucumber yogurt dip
• Tomato, cucumber, and red onion salad with mint

Browse hundreds of other recipes from the CDC.