On an average day, so many things seem more urgent than taking care of your health. Your job, your family, your relationships. Shopping for groceries, paying bills, attending school recitals, running errands, staying in touch with friends and relatives, doing chores, taking care of pets. The list can seem endless. The same is true for women in every profession, in every part of the country, of every race and ethnicity, of every faith, in every family structure.

All of those activities are important. But so are you! Beyond all your responsibilities to others is your responsibility to yourself. You must take an active role in your health. You are important. You matter. You are worthy of your own care.

If you haven't yet taken that first step to better health, or are uncertain where to start, why not begin your journey now?

This 2007 Women's Health Daybook is a resource guide for women of all ages. Use it to help you learn more about common health problems, how to prevent some diseases, and ideas for managing these conditions. You'll find charts that describe the screenings and immunizations that you and your loved ones should get. You'll find tips on how to get a second opinion from a doctor, how to read a drug label, and more. You'll be referred to the government's National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC), with its toll-free telephone numbers and two web sites. NWHIC serves as your link to credible, pre-screened organizations; government hotlines; other trustworthy web sites; and publications. Read this guide, share it with friends, write notes in it. Make it yours.

Current as of February 2007