Mother’s Day is right around the corner on May 14! And to show how much you care about Mom and all the women in your life, mark your calendar for National Women’s Health Week, May 14-20, 2023. Women’s Health Week starts each year on Mother’s Day to encourage women and girls to make their health a priority.
This year’s theme is “Women’s Health, Whole Health: Prevention, Care and Wellbeing.” Since women make up the majority of caregivers in the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), protecting women’s health means protecting everyone’s health.
The CDC says that women who are caregivers have a greater risk for poor physical and mental health. To help lower that risk, women are encouraged to practice preventive care that can keep disease away or detect problems early so that treatment is more effective. Here are some tips:
Talk with your health provider – Learn what screenings and exams you need and when. The State Health Plan covers preventive services for women and other preventive care at no cost.
Enjoy a healthy and balanced diet – a healthy eating plan includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat free and low-fat milk and other dairy products, lean meats, and is low in salt, saturated and trans fats, and added sugars.
Get active – Physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It lowers your risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for women. You don’t even need special equipment. Stretch with a towel. Work out with items you have around the house, like full water bottles, canned goods, or other items if you don’t have weights available for strength training. Or just take a relaxing walk in the spring air!
Prioritize your mental health – Research shows that positive mental health is associated with improved overall health and well-being, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you need support, you’re not alone. To help you get started, visit the State Health Plan’s Behavioral Health Resource Center.
So if you’re a woman – or care about a woman in your life – remember the importance of protecting women’s health this week and all year round.
Love you, Mom!