Clyde L. Reese, III, Esq., Commissioner	Sonny Perdue, Governor

Women "It's Your Time" - Take Control of Your Health

DCH Recognizes May as Women’s Health Month

ATLANTA - May is Women's Health Month and the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) is stressing the importance of women taking an active role in their physical health and wellbeing.  In recognition of this health observance, DCH is encouraging Georgians to take part in National Women's Health Week (May 9-15) and the Woman's Challenge coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health (OWH).

"The leading causes of death for females of all ages and races are heart disease, cancer and stroke.  Many of these leading threats to women's health can be prevented by making some simple lifestyle changes," said Dr. M. Rony Francois, MD, MSPH, PhD, Director of DCH's Division of Public Health and State Health Officer.  "It's important that women as well as all Georgians practice healthy habits to ensure a long, productive life."

National Women's Health Week is a weeklong health observance that empowers women to make their health a top priority.  With the theme "It’s Your Time," the nationwide initiative encourages women to take simple steps for a longer, healthier, and happier life.  In order to improve birth outcomes, the following preventive health measures are recommended for all women particularly those of reproductive age:

Getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both each week

• Eating a nutritious diet
• Visiting a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings
• Avoiding risky behaviors, such as smoking, heavy drinking and not wearing a seatbelt
• Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress

For more information about women’s health, log onto www.georgiahealthinfo.gov.

To join the Woman’s Challenge, go to: http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/woman-challenge/

To learn what activities will be celebrated in Georgia, go to: http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/events/index.cfm?sort=state&type=current