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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

Autumn Health and Safety Tips
Follow these tips to help you and your family stay safe and healthy this autumn! Send an Autumn Health-e-Card to family and friends!

Science and Research

Estimated Pregnancy Rates for the United States, 1990–2005: An Update PDF
This report presents detailed pregnancy rates for 1990–2005, updating a national series of rates extending since 1976. In 2005, an estimated 6,408,000 pregnancies resulted in 4.14 million live births, 1.21 million induced abortions, and 1.06 million fetal losses.

Deaths Among Persons with AIDS through December 2006 PDF
Through 2007, an estimated total of 1,051,875 persons in the United States and dependent areas were diagnosed with AIDS. At the end of 2006, an estimated 446,098 persons in the United States and dependent areas were living with AIDS. Among females, HIV was the 4th and 7th leading cause of death in blacks/African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos, respectively.

Perceived Insufficient Rest or Sleep Among Adults - United States, 2008
To examine the prevalence of insufficient rest or sleep in all states, CDC analyzed Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. Females (12.4%) were more likely than males (9.9%) and non-Hispanic blacks (13.3%) were more likely than other racial/ethnic groups to report insufficient rest or sleep.

Health and Wellness

The Right to Know
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. And living with a disability does not make you immune. Know the facts about breast cancer and why you need to make screening a regular part of your health care.

Smoke-Free Air
Protect your heart from secondhand smoke.

Pregnancy and 2009 H1N1 Flu: Protect Yourself, Protect Your Baby
Pregnant women can get seriously ill with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus (sometimes called "novel H1N1 flu" or "swine flu"). Learn how to protect yourself and your baby and what to do if you have symptoms of the flu.

Non-Dioxin-Like Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are no longer produced in the United States, but they can still be found in the environment. Infants can be exposed to PCBs from the mother’s blood before they are born and from breast milk that contains PCBs.

Learn About Cytomegalovirus
Most children with cytomegalovirus (CMV) don't get sick. However, if a woman becomes infected with CMV while pregnant, the virus can affect her fetus. Such infections can result in birth defects or other serious problems---including death. If you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the best way to protect your baby from CMV is to protect yourself.

Snapshots

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QuickStats: Average Life Expectancy at Birth, by Race and Sex - United States, 2000, 2006, and 2007

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QuickStats: Prevalence* of Obesity† Among Adults Aged ≥20 Years, by Race/Ethnicity§ and Sex --- National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2003--2006

Programs and Partnerships

Pre-teen Vaccine Campaign
Audience-tested, culturally-appropriate messages and graphics are now available in materials addressing parents whose cultural identification is Korean and Vietnamese.

Intimate Partner Violence Can Lead to Serious Injury
A key strategy in preventing intimate partner violence is the promotion of respectful, nonviolent intimate partner relationships through individual, community, and societal level change.

Expanded Health Data from the New Birth Certificate, 2006 PDF
This report presents 2006 data on new checkbox items exclusive to the 2003 U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth. Information is shown for checkboxes in the following categories: ‘‘risk factors in this pregnancy,’’ ‘‘obstetric procedures,’’ ‘‘characteristics of labor and delivery,’’ ‘‘method of delivery,’’ ‘‘abnormal conditions of the newborn,’’ and ‘‘congenital anomalies of the newborn.’’  

New Data Reveal Insight into Moms' Complex Infant Feeding Decisions
CDC's data from the Infant Feeding Practices Study II illustrate several factors that influence pregnant women and new moms when they make decisions about feeding their babies. These factors, such as policies and environments within hospitals, businesses, and communities can all support—or limit—mothers' choices.

Conferences and Events

Work, Stress, and Health 2009: Global Concerns and Approaches (Eighth International Conference on Occupational Stress and Health), November 5-8, 2009, San Juan, PR

MCH Epi Conference: Making Methods and Practice Matter for Women, Children and Families, December 9-11, 2009, Tampa, FL

National STD Prevention Conference, March 8-11, 2010, Atlanta, GA

National Conference on Blood Disorders in Public Health, March 9-11, 2010, Atlanta, GA

Content Source: CDC Office of Women's Health
Page last modified: November 9, 2009
Page last reviewed: October 13, 2009