PRESS RELEASE

From the Office of the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Gale R. Burstein

Date: May 18, 2017                                

CONTACT: Mary C. St. Mary/Mary.StMary@Erie.Gov

Phone: 716.858.4941/ Mobile: 716.253.3925

National Women’s Health Week

Encouraging Women to Make Their Health a Priority 

ERIE COUNTY, NY— May 14-20, 2017 is National Women's Health Week, an observance led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health.

The goal is to empower women to make their health a priority and to encourage women to take steps to improve their health.

Why are women’s health matters important? Women’s health concerns are unique, such as pregnancy, post-partum depression, and menopause. Screenings for breast and cervical cancer and bone density measurements are also important for females.

“It is essential for women to be vigilant about testing for conditions that are most successfully treated when caught early, including breast cancer and colon cancer,” said Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County Commissioner of Health. “To stay healthy, women should also have routine check-ups to screen for basic health concerns. Heart disease is still the top killer of women in the U.S. which makes it vitally important for women to monitor their blood pressure and cholesterol levels and to be aware of any potential for diabetes.”

The same health problems can present differently in men versus women. A man is less likely to die from a heart attack than a woman. While men can develop anxiety and depression, women have a greater chance of displaying those classic symptoms. Many sexually transmitted infections can impair women’s fertility but present no long terms complications for men. Finally, some medical problems, like osteoarthritis and urinary tract problems, are more common in the female population.

U.S. female life expectancy now averages a full eight decades – barring accidents or major health issues. With all that living to look forward to, it’s a good idea to adopt healthy habits as early in life as possible. Many of the steps to better health are easily followed and can both improve the quality of life, as well as extend it.

What steps can I take for better health?

To improve your physical and mental health, you can:

• Visit a healthcare practitioner for a well-woman visit (checkup) and preventive screenings.
• Get active.
• Eat healthy.
• Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
  • Avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, texting while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet.
  • Find out what additional steps you can take based on your age.

• A yearly physical should include discussions of your health habits and family history, setting health goals and getting any necessary screenings or exams. 

• Physical activity can lower your risk of diseases like heart disease and stroke, and there is even evidence it can lower your risk of breast cancer.

• It does not have to be complicated.  A healthy diet consists of mainly fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. Most of us know what is good for us, but we are not always good at choosing the healthy options.

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For More Information:

Health Resources and Services Administration-National Women’s Health Week