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Last year, America celebrated the eighth NWHW and the fifth National Women’s Check-Up Day.  About 55,000 people participated in 1,111 activities nationwide. Many underserved women and men were able to gain access to important preventive health services. One-third of the activities involved preventive health screenings, and 80 percent of the screenings were free of charge. During that week, the Office of Women’s Health also launched its first-ever WOMAN Challenge (Women On the Move Across the Nation), an eight-week, physical activity challenge where more than 17,000 women walked a combined total of over 600,000 miles. NWHW was recognized by Congress with resolutions of support, and 142 mayors, governors, and tribal leaders issued proclamations. Media impressions exceeded 241 million with attention at the national, regional, state, and local levels.

In 2008, we want to increase the impact of National Women’s Health Week by expanding the number of activities that occur during the month of May. Your organization is invited to participate. You could sponsor a display table, health fair, educational workshop, or fitness event or you could partner with a local health provider to offer health screenings such as blood pressure checks, pap tests, mammograms, diabetes tests, and HIV/AIDS tests.  Organizations that add their events to the online Activity Registry at www.womenshealth.gov/whw will be considered NWHW partners and will be able to order free promotional and educational materials to support their efforts while supplies last. The Activity Registry opens in March, and participation is free. You will find more information on registering your event and ordering materials for National Women’s Health Week at www.womenshealth.gov/whw.

Your organization’s ability to engage hard-to-reach populations and your experience in health issues will be very important to our success. Thank you for your commitment to improving the health of women.