Women account for 52 percent of the U.S. population, 30 percent of which are racial/ethnic minorities.
The average life expectancy age of women is 79 years. The top five leading causes of death for women (all races) are heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Diabetes is the number four leading cause of death among African American and Hispanic women. Other top health concerns for women include overweight & obesity, osteoporosis, reproductive and mental health.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women and typically goes undetected and untreated until the disease becomes severe. Risk factors for heart disease include cigarette smoking, high blood cholesterol, obesity and diabetes. To reduce your risk, be smoke free, get blood pressure checked regularly, eat healthy, lose weight if needed, be active and minimize stress.
Almost 300,000 women will die of cancer in 2006, with lung cancer predicted to be the number one killer. Over 80 percent of lung cancer cases are linked to smoking. To reduce your risk, stop smoking. Need help? Call 1-877-270-STOP.
One in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Early detection is associated with the highest survival rates so go for regular mammograms. Learn when you should get checked. A diet rich in beta-carotene, found in dark orange, red and dark green vegetables, may help reduce risk for breast cancer. Additionally, exercising for four or more hours a week may help lower your risk.
Gynecological cancers, such as cervical, ovarian and endometrial, also affect many women. Pelvic exams are the primary method of screening for gynecological cancers, and may detect disease when no other symptoms are present. Learn how often you should get checked. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent gynecological cancers, a healthy lifestyle can help. Eat healthy, be active, be smoke free, practice safe sex and manage stress.
The 2005 Georgia BRFSS reports that 58% of adult women report being overweight or obese. Excess weight is associated with greater risk of developing many diseases including heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Should you be concerned about your weight? Use one of the tools to determine your BMI. Most experts agree that diet and exercise are components of healthy weight so eat healthy and be active.
One out of every two women will break a bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis. White and Asian risk are at highest risk of developing osteoporosis. Other risk factors include low vitamin D and calcium intake, small frame size, family history, lack of physical activity, smoking, and low estrogen levels. To reduce your risk of developing osteoporosis, the National Institutes of Health recommends that you eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, engage in regular weight bearing exercises, and do not smoke.
Each year approximately 4 million infants are born in the U.S. For many women, the best way to have a healthy baby is to live a healthy lifestyle. The March of Dimes recommends mothers to get early prenatal care, eat a well-balanced diet, take a vitamin supplement that contains folic acid, exercise regularly with your doctor’s permission, avoid alcohol, do not smoke, and limit caffeine.
About one-fourth of all women suffer from some form of depression at some point in their lives. Depression afflicts twice as many women as men, and only 3 in 10 depressed persons get any form of treatment. Many factors contribute to depression, such as developmental, hormonal, genetic and other biological differences. If you feel depressed, talk to someone and get professional help if needed.
