May 12, 2006 Women’s Walk to Kick Off National Women’s Health Week

NEW ORLEANS, May 12, 2006 - In honor of National Women’s Health Week, which is being celebrated May 14 -20, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals—Office of Public Health and N’R Peace are sponsoring a health walk to call attention to the importance of women’s health and prevention measures.

The Women’s Walk will be held on May 16 – 18 at noon on the Holmes Boulevard Walking Trail on Holmes Boulevard in Gretna, La.
 
Several other events have also been planned for the week, including health screenings and an educational fair.

“Love Check-ups for You and the Ones You Love,” is the theme for Louisiana’s Office on Women’s Health during National Women’s Health Week.  The Office on Women’s Health, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, urges every Louisiana woman to schedule a “Love Check-up” with her doctor or to visit her parish health unit.

“One of the best gifts you can give yourself and those you love is to schedule an annual visit with a health care provider,” says Dr. Wanda Jones, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Office on Women’s Health encourages women to talk to their health care provider about the recommended screening tests and immunizations for their age and background.  Learn more about these recommendations by visiting http://www.womenshealth.gov/screeningcharts/.

See attachment for all regional events.  For more information on events, contact LDH State Women’s Health Coordinator Trina Evans Williams at 504-568-6636.

Women’s Walk
May 16 – 18
Noon
Holmes Boulevard Walking Trail
Holmes Boulevard
Gretna, LA  70056

Jefferson Community Health Care Centers, Inc. Women’s Health Week Fair and Expo
May 14 – 15 & 19  (verify with Trina)
9 a.m. – noon
Avondale Community Center
4008 U.S. Highway 90
Avondale, LA  70094

Offering blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screening

Planned Parenthood Clinic Discount
May 15 – 20
Regular office hours
Planned Parenthood
4018 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA  70115

Planned Parenthood of Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta will give a $10 discount to all clients who mention “National Women’s Health Week” when visiting their clinics between May 15 – 20 in New Orleans (504-897-9200) and Baton Rouge (225-387-1167).  Offer good for office visits only, not supplies.

Women’s Night of Empowerment
May 15
7 p.m.
St. Paul Baptist Church
1509 Monroe Street
Gretna, LA  70053

Service will consist of an Hour of Power, singing, various health screenings and refreshments.  N’R Peace will be presenting their first Woman of the Year Award.

Testing and Educational Fair
May 17
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Common Ground Clinic
1401 Teche Street
Algiers, LA  70114

Join N’R Peace and Common Ground Clinic for an opportunity to have testing and education about women’s health issues.

Healthy Women’s Luncheon and Pampering Party
May 20
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
True Vine Baptist Church
249 Sala Avenue
Westwego, LA  70094

An educational awareness event to promote a healthy lifestyle for adolescent women and their mothers.

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