U.S. Department of Health and Human Services celebrates National Women's Health Week at events around the country May 12-18, 2002

May 10, 2002- Washington, D.C.---The Office on Women's Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services leads a national alliance of people and organizations encouraging individuals, health professionals, advocacy groups and local governments to raise awareness about steps all women can take to achieve a happier, healthier lifestyle, during this year's Women's Health week, which begins on Mother's Day, May 12^th.

More than a hundred state governors, mayors, and tribal chiefs have issued proclamations honoring Women's Health Week, which will be celebrated with more than 150 events in nearly every state, including a satellite broadcast, radio and television shows, forums and conferences, health fairs, displays and exhibits, health expos, organized races and walks, sporting events, public releases of books and videos, and kick-off events.

Across America — in communities, neighborhoods, towns, cities, counties, the Internet, job sites, places of worship, and recreation centers, people will celebrate the role of good health practices in the lives of women. "America's women hold a unique and special place in our society and contribute to the vitality of our nation in countless ways," said Wanda K Jones, Dr.P.H., deputy assistant secretary for women's health and director of the Office on Women's Health "It is vitally important for women, many of whom spend much of their daily lives caring for others, to recognize the importance of caring for themselves".

In the past century, the average life expectancy of women has nearly doubled, from 48 years in 1900 to almost 80 in 1997. Advances in medicine have led to freedom from many crippling diseases and have improved the quality of life by alleviating or controlling chronic health symptoms. But the news is not all good. Statistics show that women suffer from depression at approximately twice the rate of men; are 2 to 3 times more likely to have anxiety, panic and phobia disorders; and account for more than 90 percent of people with eating disorders. Of the 2.1 million Americans that suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, 71 percent, or approximately 1.5 million, are women. Although heart disease is typically viewed as a man's disease, each year more women die from heart disease than men.

Secretary Tommy G. Thompson issued this statement: In our proposed FY 2003 budget, President Bush and I are calling for a $4.1 billion increase for National Institutes of Health research on women's health. This represents an increase of $730 million over the current fiscal year. And we are increasing funding for the HHS Office of Women's Health by more than $2 million; since taking office, the Bush Administration has increased the Office's budget by 50 percent.

The HHS Office of Women's Health (OWH), which started National Women's Health Week three years ago, will celebrate with a ceremony and dedication of a Women's Health Time Capsule containing items that have had a serious impact on women's health in the past century. OWH will also release of a document that chronicles the history of women's health in the 20^th century, including a timeline that documents key events in women's health policies and discoveries. The capsule will be placed on the grounds of the National Institutes of Health on May 14^th in Bethesda, MD and will be unveiled in 2100.

"We want women of the 22^nd century to be both astonished and encouraged by the unprecedented improvements in women's health that took place during the last century, " said Susan Clark, Director of the OWH Division of Program Management and Chair of the Women's Health Time Capsule Committee. "We are taking steps to ensure that the location of the time capsule will be remembered for generations to come."

To learn more about the proclamations, events in your area, and the Women's Health Time Capsule, call 1-800-994-WOMAN or visit the home page of the National Women's Health Information Center at www.womenshealth.gov. http://www.womenshealth.gov/WHW Look for the banners celebrating Women's Health Week or the Women's Health Time Capsule.

The Office on Women's Health (OWH) in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the government's champion for women's health issues. The Office on Women's Health coordinates women's health efforts in HHS to eliminate disparities in health status and supports culturally sensitive educational programs that encourage women to take personal responsibility for their own health and wellness.