DHH Marks National Women's Health Week with Statewide Events

Wednesday, May 16, 2012  |  Contact: Bureau of Media and Communications; (225) 342-7913

BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is celebrating National Women's Health Week, May 13-19, with a series of statewide events that empower women to make their health a top priority.

DHH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein held a Women's Health Week kick-off event Monday at the Department's headquarters in Baton Rouge. Members of the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus and other state health leaders participated.   

National Women's Health Week is a nationwide initiative that highlights the importance of women's health. The theme for National Women's Health Week, "It's Your Time," is a reminder that today is always the time for women to take the first steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks.

Gov. Jindal has proclaimed May 13-19 Women's Health Week in Louisiana, and the Legislature passed concurrent resolutions declaring this week Women's Health Week.

"Today's women too often focus on their family's health, but neglect their own," said DHH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein. "While this can be especially true for working moms, it is important that all women remember to own their own health and take steps to live well."

Greenstein added, "There are things we can all do every day that make a tremendous impact on our overall health - exercise daily; prepare and eat healthy meals; get enough sleep and manage stress; and avoid unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet."

This week DHH is holding activities around the state, consisting of seminars, vendor fairs with blood pressure and BMI screenings, group health walks, health pledge activities and giveaways for women in the community. Throughout the week, families, health organizations, businesses, communities, the government and individuals come together to raise awareness about women's health issues and educate Louisiana women about simple steps they can take for longer, healthier and happier lives. 

Monday, May 14 marked National Women's Checkup Day, when women across the country were encouraged to visit their doctors and take the Woman Challenge, an eight-week online physical activity program. 

"National Women's Health Week coincides with Mother's Day, and we can show appreciation for our wives, mothers, sisters and other women in our lives by encouraging them to be healthy and helping them live well," said J.T. Lane, Assistant Secretary for the DHH Office of Public Health. "Good health is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and each other to enjoy better, longer lives with our families, and we can make time this week to enjoy healthy activities together."

Women's health is an important component of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals year round. DHH offers a variety of services to help women to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These programs include the Birth Outcomes Initiative, which was developed to educate all Louisianians that healthy pregnancies are key to having healthy moms and babies. In addition, DHH administers the Maternal and Child Health Program, which helps pregnant women, infants and children gain access to specialized health care services; the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program, which ensures pregnant women, infants and children have access to nutritious food; and the state Medicaid program, which provides health care coverage and coordination to eligible pregnant women and children.  

For more information about the Louisiana Activities of National Women's Health Week, please contact Trina Evans Williams, State Women's Health Liaison, at Trina.Evans@la.gov.

The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals strives to protect and promote health statewide and to ensure access to medical, preventive and rehabilitative services for all state citizens. To learn more about DHH, visit http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov. For up-to-date health information, news and emergency updates, follow DHH's blog, Twitter account and Facebook.

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