Healthy Women Today Newsletter

Skip Navigation

E-mail this page to a friend

Home > Healthy Women Today Newsletter > December 2008

Spotlight on Women's Health

One person's story

At 5 feet 2 inches tall and 120 pounds, Yasmin Ahmady may not seem like your typical paramedic. Her drive to make a difference and follow her dreams led her to make her mark in the field of emergency medical services. Read her interview to find out about her most memorable call and how she deals with crises.

Read Yasmin's story

Emergency Preparedness

You never know when an emergency situation is going to arise. Being prepared for a disaster or crisis can help you and your family stay safe until help arrives. Here are three tips to keep in mind when thinking about your family's emergency plan:

Know what natural or other disasters could occur in your area and how to prepare for them.
Make an emergency plan and give family members a copy of it. Talk with your family members so they know the potential disasters or emergencies that could happen in your area and explain how to respond to each of them.
Pack emergency supplies in your home to meet your needs for three days.

Learn more about emergency preparedness

What Women Want to Know

Highlights from the womenshealth.gov call center

We received an e-mail from someone who underwent a double mastectomy for breast cancer. After completing all treatments, she was anxious to begin the reconstruction process. Her plastic surgeon recommended she wait for FDA approval of the Style 410 silicone breast implants that are currently undergoing clinical trials.

We told her that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would be her best resource for silicone implant safety information. The following resources discuss the information she's looking for:

		Learn more about breast cancer
		Learn more about body image

Call Us!
1-800-994-9662
TDD: 1-888-220-5446

Trained English and Spanish-speaking information and referral specialists will find and order free health information or provide referrals to organizations to assist you with any health questions.

Learn more

Health Observances

Safe Toys and Gifts Month
World AIDS Day (Dec. 1)
National Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week (Dec. 1-7)
National Handwashing Awareness Week (Dec. 7-13)

Keep track of upcoming health observances

We've listened to your feedback, and this year we are proud to announce a brand new program to help you stay active all year long: The WOMAN Activity Tracker!

Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism

Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson released The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism – 2008. Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism affect an estimated 350,000 to 600,000 Americans each year.

Get more information

Healthy Recipes for a Healthy Life

sweet potatoes, red and yellow potatoes, and acorn squash Having family and friends around for the holidays might make it seem nearly impossible to prepare healthy meals everyone will enjoy. These recipes from the USDA make meal planning easy, healthy, and most importantly, tasty!

Get more recipes

Health News Headlines

Get more news


	World AIDS Day - December 1, 2008

Did you get a flu shot this year?

	Yes
	No, but I'm planning to
	No and I'm not planning to
	I haven't decided

New! Meet Ayna Agarwal

During a trip to India, Ayna Agarwal saw many helpless dogs on the street — some with infections and others missing paws. Seeing this heart-breaking scene drove her to start an organization called Stop Pet Overpopulation Together Globally, Inc. (SPOTGlobally).

Read Ayna's story

Growing Great Girls

Have you signed up for Growing Great Girls, our newsletter for parents of girls?

Free 2009 Women's Health Calendar

The 2009 womenshealth.gov calendar is available. Order a copy for yourself or order multiple copies for friends, family, or health events. We are currently taking orders through our toll-free Call Center. Hurry, we have a limited supply!

Order your calendar

The Healthy Woman - New Book Available Now!

The Healthy Woman: A Complete Guide for All Ages is now available to order online and will be in bookstores nationwide this fall. From the nation's leaders in women's health, the Guide covers a broad range of health topics affecting women of all ages.

Order your copy

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGHAAD) is March 10, 2009. The purpose of this annual day is to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls and encourage women and girls to take action. Find or plan an event, issue or view proclamations, and learn more about HIV/AIDS by visiting our web site.

Learn more about NWGHAAD

Quick Health Data Online Monthly Spotlight

Every month Quick Health Data Online highlights topics of interest and relevant data available on their web site. December's spotlight is Depression and Mental Health.

Learn more about depression and mental health