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Women On Track With Health Screenings; Healthy Eating and Exercise Lacking
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Calls on Women to Take Time for Their Health During National Women's Health Week

WASHINGTON, DC – Although data shows that more women are getting the message and receiving annual checkups, they fall short when it comes to eating healthy foods and exercising.  The Office on Women's Health, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is calling on women to make health their top priority during the 8th annual National Women's Health Week, May 13-19, 2007 and the 5th annual National Women's Check-Up Day, May 14. 

According to recent data on U.S. women from Quick Health Data Online, an online database provided by the Office on Women's Health:

• 86 percent of all women report having a routine check-up within the past two years.
• Almost 75 percent of women ages 40 and older report getting a mammogram within the past two years.
• Close to 85 percent of all women report having a Pap smear within the past three years.
• Nearly 75 percent of women report having a cholesterol check within the past five years.
• About 53 percent of women over the age of 50 report ever receiving a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy.

However,

• Only 28 percent of all women report eating more than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
• Less than 50 percent of all women report exercising moderately to vigorously most days of the week.
• More than half of all women report being overweight or obese.

"Women in the U.S. are on track when it comes to visiting their health care providers regularly and getting important health screenings," says Dr. Wanda Jones, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health and Director of the Office on Women's Health. "But women also need to eat better and exercise more.  National Women's Health Week is a great time for women to commit to becoming healthier."

National Women's Health Week is a nationwide initiative by the Office on Women's Health to bring attention to women's health issues and educate women about preventing disease and improving their physical and mental health.  With the theme, “It's Your Time: Pamper Your Mind, Body and Spirit,” National Women's Health Week encourages women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier and happier life.

"Becoming healthier doesn't mean making a huge life change," says Dr. Jones.  "Women can do simple things, like adding more fruits and vegetables into their daily diet, scheduling a visit with their doctor on National Women's Check-Up Day, or joining the WOMAN (Women and girls Out Moving Across the Nation) Challenge to start walking toward better health."  The WOMAN Challenge is an eight week physical fitness challenge that encourages participants to get 10,000 steps or 30 minutes of exercise every day.

National Women's Health Week is celebrated around the country.  Families, communities, individuals, the government, hospitals, health centers, small businesses and large corporations are helping to spread the word about women's health by offering free and reduced-price screenings, organizing women's health events, disseminating women's health information and offering ways for women to take time for themselves.  For a complete list of events, visit http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/events/findevent.cfm.

National Women's Health Week Activities

National Women's Check-Up Day
National Women's Check-Up Day is Monday, May 14.  Women are encouraged to schedule a routine check-up with their doctor or visit a health care professional to get preventative health screenings. 

WOMAN Challenge
The WOMAN Challenge – Women and girls Out Moving Across the Nation – is an eight week physical fitness challenge that encourages women to get 10,000 steps or 30 minutes of moderate activity each day.  The challenge kicks off on Mother's Day and women can register at www.womenshealth.gov/woman.

For more information about National Women's Health Week, visit www.womenshealth.gov/whw or call 1-800-994-9662 or TTY 1-888-220-5446.

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