National Women's Health Week: May 9 -15th.

National Women's Health Week kicks off with National Women's Check Up Day on Monday, May 10, 2010.

This is a nationwide effort, coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health, to:

• Encourage women to visit health care professionals to receive or schedule a checkup.


• Promote regular checkups as vital to the early detection of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health illnesses, sexual transmitted infections, and other conditions.

Why is it important for women to participate in this effort?

• Screening tests, such as mammograms and Pap tests, can find diseases early, when they are easier to treat. Some women need certain screening tests earlier, or more often, than others.


• Screenings and routine care can help women lower their risks of many health conditions, including heart disease.

How can women participate in this important event?

• Women should contact their current doctor or nurse to schedule checkups and screenings services on National Women's Checkup Day


• During their checkups, women should discuss with their health care professionals which of the tests are right for them, when they should have them, and how often.


• Women can learn what screenings and immunizations they need and at what age at http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/health-resources/screening-tool/


• Take the Checkup Day pledge at http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/check-up-day/ and pledge to schedule at least one of the preventive health screenings during May 2010.

Source: www.womenshealth.gov