Learn about your health, for your path towards wellness.

 

* General Health:

Office of Women’s Health
For information on health and wellness, and women’s health across the lifespan.

 6 things every woman should know about heart health: https://www.heart.org/en/news/2019/10/04/6-things-every-woman-should-know-about-heart-health

 HIV and Opportunistic Infections, Coinfections, and Conditions: HIV & Heart Disease: https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/hiv-and-heart-disease

* Women and Aging:

National Institute on Aging

How the Aging Brain Affects Thinking: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/brain-health/how-aging-brain-affects-thinking

Coming of Age A guide to aging well with HIV.

American Heart Association

American Diabetes Association

HIV, Hepatitis, and other Infectious Illnesses

Menopause: https://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause

What is Menopause? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/menopause/what-menopause#:~:text=The%20menopausal%20transition%20affects%20each,composition%2C%20or%20your%20physical%20function.

The Menopause Years: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/the-menopause-years

 

HIV and Women’s Health Issues:

Survey Finds Community Support and Education are Key to Improving Health Outcomes and Well-Being of Women Living with HIV https://www.thewellproject.org/news-press/survey-finds-community-support-and-education-are-key-improving-health-outcomes-and-well

How Does HIV Affect Women Differently?https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/staying-in-hiv-care/other-related-health-issues/womens-health-issues/

Having a baby when you are living with HIV https://www.aidsmap.com/about-hiv/having-baby-when-you-are-living-hiv

Recommendations for the Use of Antiretroviral Drugs During Pregnancy and Interventions to Reduce Perinatal HIV Transmission in the United States https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/perinatal/introduction

HIV and Perinatal Transmission: Preventing Perinatal HIV Transmission  https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/group/pregnant-people/transmission.html

Reduce the rate of mother-to-child HIV transmission:  https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/sexually-transmitted-infections/reduce-rate-mother-child-hiv-transmission-hiv-06

Preventing Perinatal HIV Transmission:  https://www.hiv.uw.edu/go/prevention/preventing-perinatal-transmission/core-concept/all

Women and HIV: Get the Facts on HIV Testing, Prevention, and Treatment

 

Menopause:

*Menopause: https://www.womenshealth.gov/menopause

What is Menopause? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/menopause/what-menopause#:~:text=The%20menopausal%20transition%20affects%20each,composition%2C%20or%20your%20physical%20function.

The Menopause Years: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/the-menopause-years

 

* Skin Health:

How to protect your skin from the sun (CDC Sun Safety Facts) https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/sunsafety/index.html#:~:text=You%20can%20reduce%20your%20risk,you’re%20in%20

Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics What You Need to Know https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/

CDC Skin Cancer: Sun Safety Facts   https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/sun-safety/index.html#:~:text=You%20can%20reduce%20your%20risk,you’re%20in%20the%20shade.

Fact vs. Fiction: Debunking Common Misconceptions about Skin Cancer, Sun Safety https://pressroom.cancer.org/releases?item=1321

What’s Your Sun Safety IQ? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv/sun-safety.html

Mayo Clinic Skin Cancer https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/skin-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20377605

* Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

COVID-19: Tips For Social Distancing, Quarantine, And Isolation During An Infectious Disease Outbreak.

Coping With Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks: COVID-19

* Mental Health

What is depression? https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression

Women and Mental Health: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/women-and-mental-health

About Mental Health: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/learn/index.htm

Help for Mental Illness: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

Mental Health: https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/index.htm

Mental Illness: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/symptoms-causes/syc-20374968

National Alliance on Mental Illness

National Institute of Mental Health

Mindfulness Meditation

 

* Talking with Your Doctor

Talking with Your Doctor : https://order.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2021-06/talking-with-your-doctor.pdf

How to Talk with Your Doctor About Sensitive Issues: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/medical-care-and-appointments/how-talk-your-doctor-about-sensitive-issues

* LGBTQ Health

Trans-health provides expert, gender-affirming care. Our compassionate team is here to support your health in whatever way you need. They  offer in-person, virtual, and hybrid services to individuals and families throughout Western Massachusetts and across the Commonwealth and the greater New England Region. Transhealth

Trans Lifeline: 1-(877) 565-8860 OR http://www.translifeline.org/
– Hotline staffed by transgender people to talk about anything including accessing resources

The Trevor Project www.thetrevorproject.org/section/get-help
Lifeline: 24-hr, 7 days/week- Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) youth

* Sleep

National Sleep Foundation

* Sleep Deprivation: An Unmet Public Health Problem: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20669438/#:~:text=It%20is%20estimated%20that%2050,adversely%20affecting%20health%20and%20longevity.

* Substance Use Disorders

* Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration https://masterspublichealth.com/guide-to-sleep-deprivation/

Women’s Addiction Programs in Massachusetts https://greaterbostonaddictioncenters.com/addiction-treatment-programs/womens-addiction-treatment-program/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlIG2BhC4ARIsADBgpVS7N5q_gDOr9v75zcZ9_7o08Ni3rrbnPqrpKfSQCZJKsf2X4cpxTPIaAt5PEALw_wcB

Addiction in Women https://www.addictionhelp.com/addiction/women/

Addiction Recovery Program:  https://www.brighamandwomensfaulkner.org/programs-and-services/addiction-recovery-program/default

Addressing the specific needs of women for treatment of substance use disorders:  https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/pep20-06-04-002.pdf

Women less likely to seek substance use treatment due to stigma, logistics https://www.psu.edu/news/social-science-research-institute/story/women-less-likely-seek-substance-use-treatment-due-stigma/

Women Need Addiction Treatment, Too https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/use-your-brain/202402/women-need-addiction-treatment-too

The Link Between Trauma and Female Addiction https://behavioralhealth-centers.com/blog/the-link-between-trauma-and-female-addiction/?cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=19729676341&cq_con=&cq_term=&cq_med=&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&gclid=Cj0KCQjwlIG2BhC4ARIsADBgpVRBberuaoxAoeUQV9f0bRmUfjlDGom8Fz3Gmht-anWN3be1buLyQZEaAttREALw_wcB

Quit Smoking: https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking

Health Risks of Smoking Tobacco: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/health-risks-of-tobacco/health-risks-of-smoking-tobacco.html#:~:text=Smoking%20tobacco%20damages%20your%20heart,with%20enough%20oxygen%2Drich%20blood.   

Benefits of Quitting Smoking:  https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/benefits-ofquitting.html#:~:text=Reduces%20the%20risk%20of%20premature,and%20poor%20reproductive%20health%20outcomes.

Tips from Former Smokers –Overviews of Diseases/Conditions:  https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/index.html

Are there gender differences in tobacco smoking?  https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/tobacco-nicotine-e-cigarettes/are-there-gender-differences-in-tobacco-smoking

SMOKING CESSATION?     https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/documents/igh-sfsf-smoking-cessation-en.pdf

* Nutrition and  Exercise

Nutrition Resources

 HOCC’s Living Strong Healthy Recipe Collection: https://hoccprograms.org/living-strong-healthy-recipe-collection/

Healthy Eating for a Healthy Weight https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/index.html

Assessing Your Weight and Health Risk: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/risk.htm

Shop Simple with MyPlate https://www.myplate.gov/app/shopsimple/desktop

Are you making every bite count? – https://www.myplate.gov/

Take the MyPlate Quiz to find out! https://www.myplate.gov/form/myplate-quiz#question_1

How Much Water Should You Drink Per Day? https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-much-water-should-you-drink-per-day

Water and Healthier Drinks – Benefits of Drinking Water https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/healthy_eating/water-and-healthier-drinks.html

7 Science-Based Health Benefits of Drinking Enough Water https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/7-health-benefits-of-water

Food Survey Results: https://foodinsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IFIC-2023-Food-Health-Report.pdf

Health Food Guide: https://tuftsfoodismedicine.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/FIMI-Healthy-Food-Guide-7-21-23.pdf

Food is Medicine: https://tuftsfoodismedicine.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Food-is-Medicine-Flyer-v2.pdf

UNVEILING THE 2023 FOOD PYRAMID: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO BOOST YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY: https://adamascrossfit.com/unveiling-the-2023-food-pyramid/

The State of US Health, 1990-2016 Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Among US States report 2018;319(14):1444-1472. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.0158

Food is Medicine: A Project to Unify and Advance Collective Action https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/food-medicine

Food is medicine: actions to integrate food and nutrition into Healthcare: https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/369/bmj.m2482.full.pdf

Food is Medicine Institute: https://tuftsfoodismedicine.org/

Mediterranean diet for heart health   https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/mediterranean-diet/art-20047801

Mediterranean diet blends healthy foods, lifestyle  https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/whats-the-big-deal-about-the-mediterranean-diet

The Mediterranean Diet: A path to longevity, healthy aging and weight loss  https://diet.mayoclinic.org/us/blog/2023/the-mediterranean-diet-a-path-to-longevity-healthy-aging-and-weight-loss/

PATIENT EDUCATION The Mediterranean Diet  https://mcforms.mayo.edu/mc6800-mc6899/mc6815.pdf

HOCC’s Living Strong Healthy Recipe Collection https://hoccprograms.org/living-strong-healthy-recipe-collection/

* Exercise:

About Physical Activity: https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity/php/about/index.html

Benefits of Physical Activity: https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/benefits/index.html

Stay safe during physical activity: https://www.womenshealth.gov/getting-active/physical-activity-safety

Fitness Basics: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics

Women may realize health benefits of regular exercise more than men: https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/women-may-realize-health-benefits-regular-exercise-more-men

Physical activity for all women: https://www.womenshealth.gov/getting-active/physical-activity-all-women

Move more for Whole Body Health Infographic: https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/move-more-for-whole-body-health-infographic

Physical activity and your menstrual cycle: https://www.womenshealth.gov/getting-active/physical-activity-menstrual-cycle

Guide to Physical Activity: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/phy_act.htm

 

 

* Domestic and Sexual Violence, and Human Trafficking

Domestic and Sexual Violence

Sexual Assault

National Domestic Violence Hotline: Domestic Violence Support https://www.thehotline.org/

About Intimate Partner Violence: https://www.cdc.gov/intimate-partner-violence/about/

Domestic violence programs for survivors: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/domestic-violence-programs-for-survivors

About Violence Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/violence-prevention/about/index.html

About The Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/violence-prevention/about/about-the-public-health-approach-to-violence-prevention.html

 

Celebrating Juneteenth:

“Learn About and Celebrate Juneteenth” https://www.pbs.org/articles/learn-about-and-celebrate-juneteenth/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw1rqkBhCTARIsAAHz7K1NVCJfjFBC5cblqomk9axDHZFnDelu-iSPdEL1fmCGW48mQHn0luwaAuyaEALw_w

“A Proclamation on Juneteenth Day of Observance, 2022″    https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2022/06/17/a-proclamation-on-juneteenth-day-of-observance-2022/#:~:text=We%20must%20stand%20together%20against,of%20both%20pain%20and%20purpose.

Juneteenth: The History of a Holiday  https://www.nytimes.com/article/juneteenth-day-celebration.html

General Order No. 3   (announcing the end of legalized slavery in Texas) https://www.battlefields.org/learn/primary-sources/general-order-no-#:~:text=Union%20General%20Gordon%20Granger%20and,known%20and%20celebrated%20as%20Juneteenth.&text=The%20people%20are%20informed%20that,States%2C%20all%20slaves%20are%20free.

“More than half of states will recognize Juneteenth as an official public holiday in 2023” https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/06/09/more-than-half-of-states-now-recognize-juneteenth-as-an-official-holiday/

 “A beginner’s guide to Juneteenth: How can all Americans celebrate?” https://www.britannica.com/topic/Juneteenth

 “Juneteenth: Fact Sheet” https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R44865.pdf

“What Is Juneteenth?”    https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/

“The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth” https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-juneteenth

“Today in History – June 19” https://www.loc.gov/item/today-in-history/june-19/

“Slavery Didn’t End On Juneteenth. What You Should Know About This Important Day” https://www.npr.org/2021/06/17/1007315228/juneteenth-what-is-origin-observation

“History of Juneteenth” https://thejuneteenthfoundation.com/historyofjuneteenth/

“Honor Juneteenth with these powerful quotes” https://www.romper.com/life/juneteenth-quotes

“These Children’s Books About Juneteenth Are A Must For Families” https://www.romper.com/life/childrens-books-about-juneteenth