Healthy Women Today Newsletter

Being honest is a simple concept; however, it doesn't come easy to all of us. How many times can you say that you cheated on a diet or told a white lie to a friend to spare her feelings? And while being honest with others is one thing, being honest with yourself can be even harder.

Being honest with yourself can be especially difficult when you aren't well. Listening to what is going on internally can be hard if you don't want to believe you are sick. Our Featured Health Article author Vanessa Maltin talks about how she suffered from migraines for years before she heard a woman speak on celiac disease. At that moment, she listened to the symptoms of the disease and realized she should get tested. She learned she has celiac disease, found ways to cope, and is thriving today. Read her story to learn more.

This month's focus on honesty brings attention to a very sensitive topic— being honest with our sexual partners. In recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, we wanted to reiterate the importance of being honest about your HIV/AIDS status. Read our Women and HIV/AIDS page for more information about revealing your HIV status.

As 2007 comes to an end, promise yourself that you will move forward into 2008 with a new outlook on honesty. It is important for you—and your health. You deserve it!

Valerie Scardino, M.P.A.
Communications Director, Office on Women's Health, HHS

Featured Health Article for December

You may have heard of celiac disease. But what you might not know is why it is specifically important to our health as women. In her article, Vanessa Maltin talks about how celiac disease is tied to infertility. Read her story, "Celiac Disease and the Infertility Link," to see how she and other women in her life are coping with this condition, and its impact on fertility.

How Can We Help You?

We get hundreds of e-mails from you every month. From thank you letters to serious health questions, we strive to reply with the most accurate and up-to-date health information.

Request of the Month:

We received an e-mail from a woman whose employer, until recently, offered a health insurance plan that covered gastric bypass and lap band surgery. Being an obese woman, she has a variety of health issues including diabetes, sleep apnea, and heart problems. She has tried a variety of ways to lose weight, but nothing has worked. She was looking for help to find alternative ways to pay for the surgery.

We first directed her to publications that discuss other options for paying for this surgery, including ways to work with her insurance provider:

• Other Options to Pay for Surgery (Copyright © Obesity Action Coalition)
• Working with Your Insurance Provider: A Guide to Seeking Weight-loss Surgery (Copyright © Obesity Action Coalition)

We told her that the American Society of Bariatric Physicians offers a convenient physician locator:

• Locate a Physician

We suggested the following publications:

• Obesity and Weight Loss
• Gastrointestinal Surgery for Severe Obesity
• Active at Any Size

We suggested she also contact the following organizations for more information:

• Weight Control Information Network, NIDDK, NIH, HHS
  1 WIN Way
  Bethesda, MD 20892-3665
  (877) 946-4627
• National Diabetes Education Program
  1 Diabetes Way
  Bethesda, MD 20814-9692
  (800) 438-5383
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, HHS
  P.O. Box 30105
  Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
  (800) 575-9355
• Obesity Action Coalition (OAC)
  4511 North Himes Avenue, Suite 250
  Tampa, FL 33614
  (800) 717-3117
• American Society of Bariatric Physicians
  2821 South Parker Road, Suite 625
  Aurora, CO 80014
  (303) 770-2526

December's Featured Health Topic

A feature designed to help you find important health information on womenshealth.gov and girlshealth.gov

Flu

‘Tis the season for holiday parties and flu bugs! December recognizes National Handwashing Awareness Week—a great way to remember that even with an immunization, it's important to wash your hands frequently to avoid getting the flu. This is especially important this time of year when we spend more time indoors and are often around more people.

Here are a few resources to help you learn more about the flu and how to prevent it.

• Flu—Get the Shot
• Flu Clinic Locator
• Take Time to Care

December Recipes

	It's easy to overindulge when you're attending dozens of parties and events this holiday season. These recipes from www.health.gov will help you keep up your energy without adding extra pounds to your waistline!
	Green beans sauté Baked salmon dijon Mousse a la banana

New! Parents’ section en español

Being a parent isn't always easy. You question every cough, every friend, late-night curfews, report cards, and dating. You always wonder if you're doing the right thing. Now there's help!

Introducing: www.girlshealth.gov/padres, a special section of girlshealth.gov dedicated to Spanish-speaking parents of girls ages 10-16. It is filled with resources that will help you prepare for the issues your girls will likely face as they grow into adults. From special articles to organizations specializing in the issues you're most interested in, www.girlshealth.gov/padres is a resource you can turn to when you need answers.

Spotlight On! Kavya Shivashankar
What was your best subject in school? For Kavya Shivashankar, it was spelling! Her love of words and the way they sound opened her up to the world of spelling bees. Read about her journey to the National Spelling Bee and how she keeps her head filled with words most of us have never heard of before! Read her interview and learn more about her dreams and goals.

Growing Great Girls
Introducing Growing Great Girls, a newsletter for parents of "tween" and teenage girls! Each month we will pack it full of information that will help you teach the girls in your life the importance of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Register today!

News from womenshealth.gov and OWH

We need your asthma story!
Do you suffer from asthma? Would you like to share your story with others? If so, let us know! Your story may be featured in a book about women's health. We'd like to hear about difficult struggles as well as positive stories about how you have dealt with your diagnosis or situation. Share your story with us.

NEW Teen Guide Available
Call us to reserve a copy of our new booklet, Teen Survival Guide: Health Tips for On-the-go Girls, to give to a special girl in your life! These are also great for educators to provide to girls in the classroom. Call us at 1-800-994-9662 or go online and download your copy on our FREE STUFF page.

Daily Updates from Womenshealth.gov
Want daily updates from womenshealth.gov? Visit www.twitter.com/womenshealth to get daily women's health news. We give you daily messages about different things going on at womenshealth.gov as well as information on a wide variety of women's health topics. It's a great way to stay plugged in!

Girlshealth.gov Posters Available
Are you having a health fair soon? Do you work with students who love incentives, prizes, or FREE STUFF? Order our girlshealth.gov posters in BULK for your event by calling us at 1-800-994-9662 today!

Other News on Women's Health

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Do you or someone you know complain of excessive fatigue? A person with chronic fatigue syndrome feels completely worn-out and overtired. This extreme tiredness makes it hard to do the daily tasks that most of us do without thinking—like dressing, bathing, or eating. Sleep or rest does not make the tiredness go away. It can be made worse by moving, exercising, or even thinking.
Learn more about CFS.