Every Woman Matters January Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 1 – 31, 2009             

State Contact:            

Tracey Bonneau, Marketing Coordinator

Every Woman Matters

402-471-2922

tracey.bonneau@dhss.ne.gov

Local Contact:

Val Tvrdy, RN/Outreach Worker

Four Corners Health Department

Direct 402-362-2621/ Toll Free 1-877-337-3573

fourcorners@catchnetworks.org

Every Woman Matters Recommends

Steps to Wellness

LINCOLN—For women who want to live a longer and healthier life, adopting healthful changes doesn’t have to be as hard as they think, according to a report from Every Woman Matters, a program that makes health care more accessible to Nebraska women over 40.

Val Tvrdy, Local Outreach Worker for Every Woman Matters, says that even a few healthful lifestyle changes can yield significant results.

“All women can benefit from making a few positive lifestyle changes, whether it’s trading white bread for whole-grain wheat or taking a 30-minute walk three times a week,” Tvrdy says. “These healthful lifestyle changes can really add up over time.”

But for most women, the road toward a healthier lifestyle can be daunting at first. Fortunately improved overall health can be achieved in four manageable steps: 1. Eating healthfully, 2. Exercising, 3. Not using tobacco, 4. Getting an annual women’s health checkup.

To get solid, lasting results Tvrdy suggests that women start out small, making a few changes at a time. “Maybe it’s adding one new vegetable a week, or moderating sugar intake, or making good food decisions, or quitting smoking, or grabbing 10 minutes of walking or taking the stairs throughout the day. Making even small changes will help you live a longer, healthier life.”

And far better than the alternatives, like cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes—all are major killers of women in Nebraska. 

“Prevention is the key to living longer and living well. By making positive changes today, women are ensuring that they stay healthy and productive well into their later years.”

Every Woman Matters (EWM) provides annual health exams to women over 40 to help find diseases early, when they can be treated best. As a program of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, EWM offers annual exams and personalized health information and support to women between the ages of 40 and 64 with limited or no health insurance and a low to medium income. Services are available in more than 600 clinics. To contact the local Every Woman Matters Outreach Worker call Four Corners Health Department at

(402) 362-2621 locally or toll-free 1-877-337-3573.