National Women’s Health Week (NWHW) is a weeklong health observance led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH), however, this initiative should be a worldwide mandate, dictated by all country-level health departments. As World health week comes to an end, it should serve as a reminder for women and girls, especially during the outbreak of COVID-19, to make their health a priority and take care of themselves. It is extremely important for all women and girls, especially those with underlying health conditions, such as hypertension, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and women 65 years and older, to take care of their health now.
What steps can I take for better health?
Take care of your physical and mental health:
-
- Continue to protect yourself from COVID-19 by wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth, watching your distance (stay 6 feet apart), washing your hands often, and getting a COVID-19 vaccine when it is available to you.
- When the COVID-19 vaccine is available to you, schedule your appointment and talk to your friends and family about the importance of getting the COVID-19 vaccine. To learn more about the COVID vaccine, how to prepare for your vaccine appointment and what to expect, visit The Ministry of Health Website in your area.
- Talk to your doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, and/or physician assistant:
- about the COVID-19 vaccine and any vaccines that you may have missed during the pandemic;
- about preventive care such as PAP smears, mammograms, bone density scans, stress tests, cholesterol screenings, blood pressure screenings, physical exams, and other preventive health screenings that you may have missed during the pandemic;
- if stress, anxiety, or depression is getting in the way of your daily activities; or
- if your child has missed any recommended check-ups or vaccinations during COVID-19. COVID-19 has caused many disruptions in families’ lives – and in some cases, it has meant that children have missed or delayed their wellness checkups and vaccination, which are a critical part of ensuring children stay healthy. Talk to your child’s doctor to make sure they are on track with routinely recommended vaccinations. If they have missed any vaccinations due to COVID-19, work with your child’s doctor to develop a plan to get caught up.
- Maintain a healthy weight
- A healthy weight is different for everyone but it’s important to know what a healthy weight is for you. Talk to your health provider about what a healthy weight is for you.
- Set realistic goals. Talk to your doctor or nurse about your health goals and ways to achieve them.
How can I take these steps?
It’s not always easy to take steps for better health but we have tools and resources that can help you create a plan that works for you. A great way to get started is to reflect on your health goals and the things that can help you be your healthiest, especially during the pandemic. Here are just a few examples:
- Protect your breathing
- Learn more about the COVID Vaccine and how to schedule your appointment.
- Make sure you are fully protected against COVID by getting the required number of shots for your vaccine. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine require two vaccine doses. After you receive your first shot, don’t delay scheduling your second shot. Getting your vaccines on the recommended schedule is the best protection against COVID-19. Learn more about planning and getting your second shot.
The Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 Vaccine requires only 1 shot. - Get tips for a healthy pregnancy if you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant.
- Use our online tool to get personalized steps to help you create your plan for better health.
- Create a plan for staying healthy and safe if you plan to travel.