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MOTHER'S DAY KICKS OFF NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH WEEK
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Urges Women to "Reconnect to Your Health"

WASHINGTON, DC – Women across the country will celebrate Mother's Day with flowers and brunch—and by starting a virtual trek across the country or preparing for check-ups. Mother's Day kicks off National Women's Health Week, during which the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and other organizations nationwide encourage all women to "Reconnect to Your Health."

"One of the best gifts you can give your mother or yourself is to schedule a check-up visit with a health care provider," said Dr. Wanda Jones, Director of HHS' Office on Women's Health, as she announced the 7th annual National Women's Health Week.

In addition to participating in National Women's Check-up Day on May 15, women nationwide will attend health fairs and expos, run 5K races, participate in healthy eating potlucks, join fitness classes and just take time to stop and focus on their health. Over 1,000 events will occur in workplaces, community centers, churches, and homes across the country – and online.

"This national effort calls upon the country's 150 million women to overcome the barriers that have prevented them from visiting a health care professional," says Jones. "We want to tell our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our aunts and friends: Take some time for yourself. Get a check-up."

Last year, Juliette Rizzo, Ms. Wheelchair America 2005, helped spread the word about the importance of women getting preventative screenings and check-ups. She now credits her role as a spokesperson for National Women's Health Week 2005 as a potential life-saver. She made an appointment with a gynecologist, something she hadn't done for several years, and learned that she had abnormal precancerous cells that required further testing.

Visiting a health care professional once a year is just one of the five keys to healthy living that the Office on Women's Health promotes during National Women's Health Week – and throughout the year. The others are: eating well, exercising, not smoking, and following basic safety rules.

A new national walking program for women will begin during this year's National Women's Health Week. Women On the Move Across the Nation (the WOMAN Challenge) invites women to take part in a free eight-week walking and physical activity program that encourages participants to get 10,000 steps or 30 minutes of physical activity a day.

To participate in the WOMAN Challenge or other National Women's Health Week activities, log on to www.womenshealth.gov/whw.

"I love the Web site and I really stick to the program. I tried to be physically active on a regular basis before joining this program, and I've found that wearing a pedometer encourages me to do more than I might do otherwise," says Jan Winslow, a walking challenge participant from New Mexico. "I see my efforts and record them. I'll take that evening walk more readily since it will show up on my chart. I've shed pounds without really changing, it's great!"

Organizations large and small have signed on to help spread the word about the week or host an event. Organizations, such as Estee Lauder's Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Citigroup, the National Association of Women Business Owners, and Kaiser Permanente are participating. A full list of participating partners is online at www.womenshealth.gov/whw. Governors and mayors have issued proclamations recognizing the importance of National Women's Health Week in their state or city. The proclamations are also listed online.

The Office on Women's Health (OWH) was established in 1991 within HHS. OWH coordinates the efforts of all HHS agencies and offices involved in women's health. OWH works to improve the health and well-being of women and girls in the United States through its innovative programs, by educating health professionals, and motivating behavior change in consumers through the dissemination of health information.

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Note to editors: Your readers/viewers/listeners can participate in the WOMAN walking challenge or find out more about National Women's Health Week activities by linking your web site to www.womenshealth.gov/whw.