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What is WISEWOMAN?
WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and
Evaluation for Women Across the Nation) is a program designed to help
women reduce their risk for heart disease and improve their overall
health.
Does WISEWOMAN work?
Yes. Small changes in diet can produce big results.
"I've been trying to lower my blood sugar for years," says
Jacqueline Noyes, 60, of Sutton, Vermont. It wasn't until she
began nutrition counseling with Ladies First, a WISEWOMAN program,
that she was really able to do it. She's done so well, she got
a letter from her doctor congratulating her. She explains, "If
it hadn't been for my nutritionist, I wouldn't have lowered my blood
sugar." Jacqueline's doctor told her about the Ladies First
program. She found it easier than she thought to make some key
diet changes, like eating more oatmeal, wheat bread, 1% milk, fruit,
and beans. "They fill me up, so I don't have to eat as much
anymore," she says. She recommends the program to anyone.
"You make little changes here and there," she says. And
Jacqueline is proof that those little changes make a big difference.
Reprinted with permission
Vermont Department of Health
WISEWOMAN helps women reduce their risk for heart disease.
- Since 2000, WISEWOMAN has reached more than 50,000 women.
- The WISEWOMAN program has helped thousands of women learn
they have high blood
pressure and high cholesterol and more than 700 new cases of
high blood sugar (diabetes).
- On average, WISEWOMAN participants have maintained their weight for 1
year.
- WISEWOMAN also has helped participants reduce high blood pressure and
cholesterol levels among women and has helped women quit
smoking.
Why should I join the WISEWOMAN program?
- Heart disease is a major health problem for women.
- In 2003, heart disease claimed the lives of more women than all
forms of cancer combined, according to the American Heart
Association.
- More women than men will die within 1 year after a heart attack.
- Heart disease and stroke are really big problems among minority
women.
- More women than men die of stroke each year.
- WISEWOMAN offers services to prevent heart disease and other
major health problems, including diabetes and weight gain.
What services does WISEWOMAN provide?
WISEWOMAN offers free or low-cost health screenings, such as
- Blood pressure testing
- Cholesterol testing
- Sugar testing for pre-diabetes/diabetes
WISEWOMAN also provides services to help women improve their blood
pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, such as
- Stop-smoking programs
- Nutrition education
- Physical activity information
- Doctor referrals
- Stress reduction classes
What makes WISEWOMAN special?
Many WISEWOMAN programs screen for conditions such as high cholesterol,
high blood pressure, and diabetes. Also, most programs include
other services such as counseling or classes to show women what they can
do to prevent disease and improve their overall health.
WISEWOMAN services teach women how to eat healthy and encourage them
to be more physically active. Eating nutritious foods and being
physically active are two ways to help prevent heart disease.
Who can join the WISEWOMAN program?
If you can answer yes to all of the following questions, you are
eligible for WISEWOMAN.
- Are you a woman at least 40 years old and not older than 64
years?
- Are you already participating in the National Breast and
Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP)?
- Are you either uninsured or underinsured? (Uninsured, you do not
have health insurance; Underinsured, you have health insurance, but
not enough to cover your needs.)
- Are you eligible for Medicare, but are unable to pay the premium
to enroll in Medicare, Part B?
How can I join the WISEWOMAN program?
Once you are enrolled in the NBCCEDP, ask a staff member about
joining the WISEWOMAN program. Keep in mind that although NBCCEDP
is available in all states, WISEWOMAN is not. Only the states
listed in this brochure have WISEWOMAN programs.
CDC WISEWOMAN Programs
Alaska (AK)
Southcentral Foundation
4320 Diplomacy Drive
Anchorage, AK 99508Southeast AK Regional Health
Consortium
222 Tongrass Drive
Sitka, AK 99835
1–888–388–8782
|
Minnesota (MN)
MN Department of Health
85 E. 7th Place
St. Paul, MN 55164
(651) 201–5600 |
California (CA)
CA Department of Health Services
1616 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95899
(916) 449–5300 |
Missouri (MO)
MO Department of Health and Senior Services
930 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
(573) 533–2845
|
Connecticut (CT)
CT Department of Public Health
410 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106
(860) 509–7804 |
Nebraska (NE)
NE Health and Human Services System
301 Centennial Mall South
Lincoln, NE 68509
1–800–532–2227
|
Illinois (IL)
IL Department of Public Health
535 W. Jefferson Avenue
Springfield, IL 62761
1–888–522–1282 or
(217) 524–6088 |
North Carolina (NC)
NC Department of Health and Human Services
1922 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699
(919) 707–5300
|
Iowa (IA)
IA Department of Public Health
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
1–866–339–7909 (in IA) or
(515) 281–4909
|
South Dakota (SD)
SD Department of Health
615 E. 4th Street
Pierre, SD 57501
1–800–738–2301 |
Massachusetts (MA)
MA Department of Public Health
250 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02108
1–877–414–4447 (in MA) |
Vermont (VT)
VT Department of Health
101 Cherry Street
Burlington, VT 05402
1–800–510–2280 or
(802) 865–7756
|
Michigan (MI)
MI Department of Community Health
109 W. Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 335–1178 |
West Virginia (WV)
WV Department of Health and Human Resources
350 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 558–7211 |
Can I still join WISEWOMAN if it is not available in my state?
Unfortunately, no. You cannot join WISEWOMAN if it is not
offered in your state.
CDC WISEWOMAN Program
Vision: A world where any woman can access preventive
health services and gain the wisdom to improve her health. Mission:
Provide low-income, underinsured, or uninsured 40- to 64-year-old women
with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to improve diet,
physical activity, and other life habits to prevent, delay, or control
heart disease and other chronic conditions. Contact Information
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
WISEWOMAN Program
Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop K–77
Atlanta, GA 30341
(770) 488–2424
http://www.cdc.gov/wisewoman/
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