Coinciding with mother's day, there's a reminder for women to take care of their health.
With many new screenings, tests and preventive measures women can use to help stave off disease, health advocates are using National Women's Health Week to call attention to that fact.
“Women really need to pay attention to themselves. They need to put themselves first before they can be first for their families, their coworkers, their spouses.”
Lisa Schemmel is Communications and Marketing Director with the Wisconsin Women's Health Foundation . She says even in this day and age, despite higher education levels and outreach programs, women still don't pay enough attention to their own health.
“It's just still the culture where women put their families first, their jobs first and making those appointments are few and far between.”
The Foundation has put together a thorough resource, highlighting seven crucial health areas affecting women in Wisconsin. Schemmel says they worked with a slew of doctors in the state to create the user-friendly, comprehensive guide. She notes cardiovascular disease is still the number one killer among women in Wisconsin.
“And there are so many things that we women can do to improve that. Always go to your doctor first for tests, but you need to lower your fat intake, you need to exercise, you need to eat healthy. It's not new news. Everybody knows it. We just have to do it.”
The downloadable book is available for free in its entirety or select sections on the Wisconsin Women Health Foundation website.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report (1:37 MP3)
