Women's Health Week Wraps up But Health Awareness Should Not

Looking back over this past  Women’s Health Week, it’s important to remember that paying attention to our health is a daily job for life, not just for seven days.

According to the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, “improved public health, medical care, and prevention efforts” have increased the life expectancy of women in the United States, and on average, women are living longer than men.

But health and life expectancy can be compromised by the increase in chronic conditions seen in women of Los Angeles County. Depression, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes have been identified as contributing to many of the leading causes of death and premature death in adult women. A 2007 women’s health survey conducted by Los Angeles County, found that the percentage of women with chronic conditions increases with age, but poor diet, obesity, and smoking cigarettes are major contributors to these conditions.

Accoreding to the survey, in Los Angeles County, the number one cause of death and premature death in women is coronary heart disease, caused by the narrowing of artery walls due to the build up of fatty materials that causes plaque. This narrowing causes blood flow to the heart to slow down or even halt. Coronary heart disease can increase a woman’s risk of stroke and heart attack.

“We often think of heart attacks as a men’s problem,” Sharon Soper, RN, and Parish Manager of Queens Care Family Clinic in Hollywood said.  “But it actually kills six times more women than breast cancer.”

Soper also noted that learning the early warning signs and symptoms of stroke and heart attack is essential for both older and younger women, who may recognize the symptoms in those they care for as well as themselves. The American Heart Association website provides more detailed information. “Being educated and aware can save lives.” Soper noted.

Queens  Clinics also offer $10 osteoporosis screenings at their Hollywood clinic and regularly at churches throughout the neighborhood. While usually associated with older women, Soper explained that osteoporosis screenings can be practical for women as young as their 30s. “We only build so much bone,” she explained, noting the importance that younger women eat healthy diets and exercise to promote bone mass. “Bone density peaks at about age 30,” Soper said.

Dr. Rita Singhal, Medical Director, Office of Women's Health, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, notes that for younger women, issues relating to reproductive health may be “more imminent.” Singhal pointed to information from the US Department of Health and Human Services on proper screenings for women, including pap smears every one to three years for women aged 21 to 65, and STD testing for sexually active women. Pap smears can help detect cervical cancer. For women aged 18 and over, blood pressure screenings are recommended every two years, as well as screening for diabetes and depression. 

Many local clinics, such as the Hollywood Sunset Free Clinic and Queens Care Clinics, offer sliding-scale options for women who lack health insurance, and also offer many free screenings and educational programs in the community.  Many programs are offered in Spanish as well as English.

The Department of Public Health recommends that women eat a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins like fish.  Regular exercise, including walking 30 minutes per day, and not smoking are also key to good health.

"Best advice for women of all ages” Singhal said. ”Be active, eat smart, stay active, don't smoke, and get checked - prevention matters."