Oklahoma women celebrate staying well during Women’s Health Week

The Pottawatomie County Health Department is joining the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health and the Oklahoma State Department of Health in celebrating National Women’s Health Week this week. National Women’s Health Week’s theme, It’s Your Time: Get Inspired. Get Healthy, helps call attention to the importance of women’s health.
“We want to encourage women to make their health a top priority. Often women are the caregivers for their families and forget to take care of themselves. When the woman is healthy it helps keep the entire family healthy,” said Pottawatomie County Health Department Administrative Director Tina R. Johnson.  “Women need to visit their doctors and make sure their health screenings and tests are up-to-date,” Johnson said.
Among women in Oklahoma, one in 10 deaths occur from heart disease before age 65. Stroke is also a primary health issue for women in Oklahoma with 1 in 10 deaths from stroke occurring before age 65.
Risk factors associated with these high rates of cardiovascular disease and stroke in Oklahoma include tobacco use, obesity and physical inactivity, which contribute to the high mortality rates in Oklahoma, according to public health officials. 
Another important area to focus on is reproductive health for men and women. More than half of the live births in Oklahoma were reported as unintended pregnancies. Effective family planning is crucial to reduce this high percentage.
“We believe there is a great need for more education of childbearing- age persons to understand their reproductive health and how to plan and prepare to have a healthy pregnancy and raise a healthy baby,” Johnson said.
Statewide, National Women’s Health week kicked off May 11, Mother’s Day, followed by recognition of May 12 as National Women’s Check-up Day to remind women to schedule an appointment with their doctors.  Women are encouraged to join the WOMAN Challenge — a free eight-week challenge that encourages women and girls to walk 10,000 steps or get 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day. Sign up at www.womenshealth.gov/woman/.
National Women’s Health Week also provides an opportunity for individuals to learn about the Strong and Healthy Oklahoma Initiative, which challenge all Oklahomans to eat better, move more and be tobacco free.
The Pottawatomie County Health Department, Turning Point and other local community organizations have provided educational materials to all local libraries for the general public for Women’s Health Week. Individuals are encouraged contact the Pottawatomie County Health Department to consult with a nurse or nurse practitioner.  For more information about National Women’s Health Week, visit www.womenshealth.gov/whw.