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Health
General Health
Obesity/Diet & Exercise
Hearth Disease
Diabetes
HIV/AIDS
HPV
Fibroids
Latest Health News
General Health
- The NCNW program emphasis on health is a "Call for Action." Read this article to learn more about Dr. Height's Focus on Health.
- Prevention is the key to a proactive health regimen - check out this guide to critical screenings for women through each stage of life.
- Black Women's Health Imperative is a leading African American health education, research, advocacy and leadership development institution whose mission is to promote optimum health for Black women across the life span - physically, mentally and spiritually.
- The US government has established a site exclusively focused on women's health.
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Obesity/Diet & Exercise
- Did you know that African American Women are at the highest risk in the nation to be overweight (BMI over 25) or obese (BMI over 30)? Obesity contributes to many health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes (see below for more information on these two diseases) but with education and dedication, you can help avoid or reduce this dangerous excess weight through diet and exercise.
- To learn more about obesity (definition and risks) and to check your BMI visit the American Obesity Association.
- The US Department of Health Customized Food Pyramid can help you to choose the foods and amounts that are right for you based on your age, sex and activity levels.
- American Dietetic Association provides information, resources and tips on how diet can help reduce the risk of disease and increase wellbeing and health.
- Portion control is a key factor to gaining control of your diet. Check out this interactive quiz to get an idea of just how much America's portions have increased over the years.
- Combine regular exercise with a balanced diet to complete your healthy lifestyle. Guidelines and suggestions for all ages and fitness levels can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- You can increase your activity level in so many ways - jogging, cleaning, walking the dog, mowing the lawn, lifting weights, playing ping-pong - every bit of added activity counts, but how much? Use this online calorie calculator to find out how many calories you expend doing your favorite exercise or activity.
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Heart Disease
- As the American Heart Association will tell you, heart disease and stroke are major risks for women. In fact, heart disease is the number one cause of death for women in America.
- For a quick check of your heart attack risk, try this calculator.
- The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recognizes the particular risk that heart disease poses to women of color, and have initiated The Heart Truth campaign to increase awareness and provide resources to help women take charge of their heart health.
- Several leading organizations focused on improving heart and women's health care are banding together to support landmark legislation aimed at fighting the number one killer of American women - cardiovascular diseases. The American Heart Association, Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc., Society for Women's Health Research and WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease are activating for passage of the HEART for Women Act. The bill would improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in women by educating both women and health care providers about the most effective options for women.
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Diabetes
- Black women, you have the power to prevent type 2 (formerly known as adult-onset) diabetes in you and in your children. Learn how working, time-strained and willing-to-learn sisters can make healthier food choices, exercise more, manage diabetes, if they have it, and much more.
- Compared to the general population, African Americans are disproportionately affected by diabetes. To address this growing health problem, the American Diabetes Association created a community-based program called the African American Initiative. It is an aggressive public education campaign designed to increase awareness of the near-epidemic rate of diabetes among African Americans. The African American Initiative is the Association's targeted approach to increase awareness of the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices such as moving more and eating healthier.
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HIV/AIDS
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HPV
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, by age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired a genital HPV infection. Often there are no symptoms for this illness—which is why knowledge is vital in preventing and treating it. Take a moment to get the facts and help prevent the spread of this disease.
Fibroids
- Uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic tumor in women, and are about three times more common in Black women than in White women. Learn about fibroids and what you can do to keep yourself safe.
- Recent news: Fibroids to blame for fertility problems in Blacks.
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Latest Health News
- Did you know that Religiousness may lower blood pressure in Blacks?
- White Papers and Program Research: NCNW commissioned a national research study of midlife African American women, ages 35 to 59, which included secondary analysis of existing nationally representative data, focus groups conducted in five cities, and administering a quality of life survey, to examine their perceptions and attitudes regarding successful aging. Results coming soon!
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