National Women’s Health Week
The focus of this week is to promote healthy lifestyles for women from all walks of life, including; school and college aged women, young working women, middle-aged women, retired women and wise elder women. The needs of women may change over the course of their lifetime, but the essentials remain constant.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires knowledge of the essentials: proper nutrition, healthy weight, and exercise, managing of stress, keeping safe and being kind to yourself. The goal for us during this week and all year long, in this little corner of Vermont, is to inform women of the services and resources in the area that will help contribute to their long-term health and welfare.
The Women’s Resource Network (WRN) at North Country Health System is “an additional resource to help with managing your life and your health.” The network is committed to ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible to all women. Many area services exist, that can help “improve the quality of life for women living in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom”. The services address many issues such as domestic violence, to child care, to breaking the bonds of addiction. The goal of WRN is to connect women to needed services and resources in the community.
This week, the Women’s Resource Network, a Program of the Northeast Kingdom Community Center of Excellence in Women’s Health and Northeastern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is sponsoring a Women’s Wellness evening. The event will be held tonight, May 14 from 5-7 p.m. at the Wellness Center on Crawford Farm Road, Newport. It is open to the public.
The spotlight of the evening will be on “heart health” as heart disease continues to be increasing in the female population. The presenters will offer information on a variety of health related topics. Tables will be set up and people will have the opportunity to ask questions of the many professionals who will be there with their expertise.
Who will be there?
Bethany Knigh t- A massage therapist and yoga instructor. We all know that job stress, family or financial stress can take its toll on our health. Learning to protect our mental and physical health by engaging in activities that help manage that stress at work and at home. Bethany will share information on massage and yoga as methods of stress management.
Pat Shover - Massage Therapist. Massage helps to loosen the tension that is held deep in
our bodies, helps relax and ease the mind.
Christine Ingram - Christine is the Coordinator of Rehabilatative Services (PT) at North Country. She will discuss healthy, safe exercise and prevention of injuries. More than 60% of American men and women do not get enough physical exercise. For adults, 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week is recommended
Wanda Swett - Ladies First- Wanda will offer information on mammograms, pap smears,
nutritional advice for women who financially qualify. Screening for certain
diseases and conditions is critical for prevention of such conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, and cancers of the skin, cervix, breast, and colon. When problems are found early, your chances fro treatment and cure are better. Routine exams and screenings can help save lives.
Brenda Wierschke - Registered Dietitian will speak of menopause, diet and the
importance of good nutrition. Eating five or more fruits and vegetables a day and
less saturated fat can improve your health and may reduce your risk of cancer and
other chronic diseases.
Planned Parenthood - Safe sex, family planning
Deb McCormick - Sleep Lab Coordinator at North Country- Deb will have a wealth of
information on sleep, sleep disorders, menopause and sleep deprivation.
Sally Rivard, Deborah Jacobs - Instructors at the Wellness Center- How does pilates
and aerobics benefit overall health? Finding the right, fun way to stay in shape
and feel good, such as dancing, walking the dog, cutting the grass, jogging, pilates
or aerobics class, or gardening.
Kathy Longtagne - PATH – Information on various state health programs available to
eligible Vermont women
Step One/Phoenix Group - A group that provides free services to victims of domestic
and sexual violence. The group can help women access an emergency shelter, 24
hour crisis hotline, referrals, financial, housing, legal, and personal support.
Winnie Jones - Employee Health RN at North Country- Winnie will be doing blood
Pressure screening for anyone interested.
This fabulous opportunity to discover what services are available in our small community is FREE and open to the public. There will be light refreshments and Door Prizes. Please
Come meet this energetic and knowledgeable group of women as they share their expertise with other women in the community. The evening will be fun and informative!
For more information, please call Annie Cristoni, Women’s Service Coordinator of the Women’s Resource Network at (802) 334-3210, ext 664 or toll free (802) 750-7331.
“HEALTHY YOU” is a weekly column prepared by health care providers and staff at North Country Hospital and Health System. Please call Nancy Goss, NCH Community Relations, 334-3225, for information or to suggest a topic for this column. |
