March 2007Vol. 8, No. 2National Women's Health Week

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will celebrate National Women's Health Week (NWHW) during May 13-19 , 2007, and its signature event, National Women's Check-Up Day, on May 14, 2007. The week is a national effort led by an alliance of organizations with two goals:

• Raise women's awareness about manageable steps they can take to improve their health
• Help underserved women gain access to important preventive health-care services

Good physical and mental health are especially important for mothers and mothers-to-be. Healthy mothers who have access to services are in a better position to cope with the challenges of parenting.

Last year's NWHW was celebrated around the country by about 55,000 people participating in 1,111 activities. Many underserved adults were able to access preventive health screenings, most of which were offered at no cost.

HHS is encouraging organizations to help expand the impact of NWHW this year by sponsoring events, displays, workshops, screenings, or other activities during the third week of May. Organizations that add their events to the online Activity Registry will be considered NWHW partners and will be able to order free promotional and educational materials to support their efforts while supplies last. The Activity Registry opens in March, and participation is free:

www.womenshealth.gov/whw/participate/register/

More information on NWHW can be found on the NWHW website:

www.womenshealth.gov/whw