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Women's Health

Women's Health

prevention works for women
Working to promote and protect the health, safety, and quality of life of women at every stage of life

In the Spotlight

Video: New Women’s Health Resources from the CDC
This 3 minute video highlights recent CDC resources for health professionals.

National Women's Health Week
View resources for this special week, which begins Mother's Day each year. Take steps for a longer, healthier life.

Mothers: Our First Health Educators
Thanks to all our mothers who taught us how to stay safe and healthy!

Science and Research

Study Launched to Uncover the Mysteries of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (5/11/08)
CDC and Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta launched the most comprehensive population-based clinical study to date of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Researchers hope results from the study will help them better understand how the syndrome affects people and lead to more successful treatment. CFS occurs most frequently in women ages 40-60, but affects all races, sexes, and age groups.
 
Breastfeeding in the United States: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999-2006 (5/11/08)
This report summarizes information on breastfeeding rates in the United States based on data from the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Breastfeeding rates in the United States increased significantly between 1993 and 2006. Breastfeeding rates increased significantly with increasing maternal age overall and for all race-ethnicity groups.
 
Self-Reported Falls and Fall-Related Injuries among Persons Aged Older than 65 Years- United States, 2006 (5/11/08)
This report indicated that approximately 5.8 million persons aged over 65 years, or 15.9% of all U.S. adults in that age group, fell at least once during the preceding 3 months, and 1.8 million (31.3%) of those who fell sustained an injury that resulted in a doctor visit or restricted activity for at least 1 day. Women reported significantly more fall-related injuries than men (35.7% versus 24.6%, respectively).
 
U.S. Syphilis Up (5/11/08)
The U.S. syphilis rate increased for the seventh consecutive year in 2007, largely reflecting continued increases among men who have sex with men. The rate among females also increased between 2006 and 2007, from 1.0 to 1.1 cases per 100,000 population.

Health and Wellness

Eat More, Weigh Less?
You can cut calories without eating less nutritious food. The key is to eat foods that will fill you up without eating a large amount of calories.
 
Prevent Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. When used consistently, sun-protective practices can reduce a person's risk of developing skin cancer.
 
Diabetes and Pregnancy
Controlling diabetes before and during pregnancy will help prevent birth defects and other poor outcomes, such as miscarriage or stillbirth.

Snapshots

graph Top 10 Cancer Sites: Females, All Races- United States, 2004
   
graph QuickStats: Percentage of Women Who Gained Less Than 15 Pounds during Pregnancy, by Age Group and Race/Ethnicity of Mother- United States, 2005
   
graph Figure 16. Injury Hospital Discharge Rates by Sex and Age Group, U.S., 2004-2006. Injury in the United States: 2007 Chartbook, Page 44 PDF

Programs and Partnerships

Economics of Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening
CDC is coordinating a cost effectiveness analysis of 68 programs that offer breast and cervical cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured women. Results of this study will help identify which approaches to delivery of screening services can yield the most efficient use of resources.
 
The WISEWOMAN Program: Reflection and Forecast
The WISEWOMAN program targets low-income under- and uninsured women aged 40-64 years for screening and interventions aimed at reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases. The program enters its third phase on June 30, 2008. Phase III will address challenges through a number of new initiatives.

Conferences and Events

Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology Conference, December 10-12, Atlanta, GA
 

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Content Source: CDC Office of Women's Health
Page last modified: May 11, 2008
Page last reviewed: May 11, 2008