Men’s Health Network and HealthyWomen Team Up to Promote National Women’s Health Week and to Encourage Women to Schedule an Annual Checkup

May 12, 2015

WASHINGTON — Men’s Health Network (MHN) and HealthyWomen are joining the Office on Women's Health within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in celebrating the 16th annual National Women's Health Week, which begins on Mother's Day each year (May 10-16, 2015).

The goal is to empower women to make their health a priority. The week also serves as a time to help women understand what steps they can take to improve their health. Furthermore, throughout the week women are encouraged to schedule their annual well-women visit.

“Women play a vital role in the family, therefore focusing on women’s health this week is important in keeping the whole family healthy,” said Ana Fadich, MPH, CHES, Vice President MHN. “We hope that women schedule their annual check-ups, which may inspire their husbands, fathers, brothers and sons to go in for a check-up in June during Men’s Health Month.”

National Women's Health Week is a nationwide initiative that calls attention to the importance of women's health. National Women's Health Week empowers women to take small, manageable steps for longer, healthier, happier lives. The steps include encouraging women to visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings; get active; eat healthy; pay attention to their mental health, including managing stress and getting enough sleep; and avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, texting while driving and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet.

“As the Chief Health Officers and main caregivers of the household, women tend to put their health last, before the health of their families,” said Beth Battaglino, RN, CEO and President, HealthyWomen.org. “It’s so important that organizations like HealthyWomen and now, Men’s Health Network, team up to issue this national call-to-action so that once-a-year, every year, women are reminded to see their healthcare professional to be proactive and keep her health balanced and on track, so she can be there for her family.”

For more information about National Women's Health Week, please visit womenshealth.gov/nwhw/

About Men’s Health Network

Men's Health Network (MHN) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation. MHN manages the Men’s Health Resource Center and is the promoter of Men’s Health Month and Men’s Health Week in June. Learn more about MHN at www.menshealthnetwork.org and follow us on Twitter @MensHlthNetwork.

About HealthyWomen.org

For more than 25 years, HealthyWomen has inspired and empowered millions of women to take a proactive role in their health. A progressive and unique women's health not-for-profit, HealthyWomen combines a 24/7 online health media platform with award-winning education and advocacy campaigns. HealthyWomen's Web destination engages with readers and health care providers alike and provides valuable health information that educates women and guides them through the various ages and stages of life. For more information please contact Amy Takis (media@healthywomen.org).