Healthy Women Today Newsletter

Spotlight on Women's Health

Interview with a midwife

Though midwives delivered less than 11 percent of American babies in 2006, that percentage has been steadily increasing. In fact, in the past 10 years, it has increased 33 percent. Still, most Americans are not sure what midwives do, how they are trained, or if they are an option during pregnancy and delivery. Read our interview with Susan Hernandez, a certified nurse-midwife, to learn what midwifery is and how to know if this type of care is right for you and your family.

Read Susan's story.

Tell a Girl in Your Life About the
Be Heard! Sounding Board Contest

We are expanding the girlshealth.gov Sounding Board and are looking for girls between the ages of 9 and 14 who are outgoing, passionate, and active in school or their community. We're currently accepting applications and ask that you consider telling girls you know to enter.

Being part of the Sounding Board gives girls the opportunity to share their opinions on anything from their favorite Web sites to the issues concerning their peers. Plus, as a member of the Sounding Board, girls will get free promotional materials such as backpacks, t-shirts, and baseball hats for participating in the discussion!

Hurry! The deadline to apply is August 31, 2009.

Learn more and download an application package.

Smoking and How to Quit

Did you know that lung cancer kills more women every year than breast cancer? If you do smoke, don't give up on quitting. We know how hard quitting can be, but you'll be glad you did! Being smoke-free will help you to live longer with better health. Along with information on the health effects of smoking, we provide you with resources to help you quit if you are a smoker. We encourage you to learn as much as you can about smoking and share this information with your loved ones.

Learn more about quitting smoking.

Healthy Recipes for a Healthy Life

It's hard to get a break from the heat this month. These recipes from the Michigan State Department of Agriculture are great for trying to stay cool!

• Asparagus salad
• Carrot and raisin sunshine salad
• Peach smoothie
• Peachy golden salsa
• Strawberry soup-sorbet

Find more recipes from the Michigan State Department of Agriculture.

Health News Headlines

• Dietary Oils May Fight Some Fat
• Does Your Child Have Symptoms Of ADHD?
• Memory Forms at 30 Weeks In The Womb
• Younger Teens Really Do Care What People Think
• Hormone Therapy Increases Odds Of Ovarian Cancer

Get more news.

Health Observances

• World Breastfeeding Week (August 1-7)
• Health Center Week (August 9-15)
• National Immunization Awareness Month
• Psoriasis Awareness Month

Keep track of upcoming health observances.

Everyone knows that fitness is fun when you have others supporting you. Print out our promotional flyer, Getting Active with the Woman Activity Tracker (PDF, 922 Kb) and give it to your friends and family. With space to track their activities offline, and information about the Woman Activity Tracker, the flyer is perfect for encouraging them to participate with you!

See what it's all about!

Are you an organ donor?

Spotlight on Sarasi Jayaratne

Inspired by a tragedy, Sarasi saw an opportunity to help less fortunate kids by providing them with books. She started Keep Reading Foundation and now sends thousands of books each year to Sri Lanka, whose many schools and libraries were destroyed by the 2004 tsunami. Pass on her interview to the inspiring girls in your life!

Read Sarasi's story.

Growing Great Girls

Get up-to-the-moment articles and links to information on the issues you're most concerned with as a parent.

Sign up today!

New Book Available Now!

The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages is available to order online and in bookstores nationwide. From the nation's leaders in women's health, the Guide covers a broad range of health topics affecting women of all ages.

Order your copy.

National Lupus Awareness Campaign

Women are encouraged to visit http://www.couldihavelupus.gov or call 1-800-994-9662 (for assistance in English or Spanish) to learn more about lupus and its symptoms, and to get local resources. Women can also upload their personal stories, post comments, and help create a much-needed communal dialogue about lupus.

Learn more about the National Lupus Awareness campaign.

Quick Health Data Online Monthly Spotlight

Every month Quick Health Data Online highlights topics of interest and relevant data available on their Web site. August's spotlight is alcohol and substance abuse.

Find statistics on alcohol and substance abuse.