By The Kewanee Voice    May 15, 2023

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The Henry and Stark County Health Departments and First Choice Healthcare marked Mother’s Day-Sunday, May 14, as the official kick-off for National Women’s Health Week.

“The goal of Women’s Health Week is to empower women to make their health a priority. National Women’s Health Week also serves as a time to help women understand what it means to be well,” said RaeAnn Tucker, director of health promotion for the HSCHD.

Tucker said that the focus will also be on what it means to be well.

“The fact is it’s really a state of mind. It’s being as healthy as you can be. And most importantly, it’s about taking steps to improve your physical and mental health.”

Those steps include:

• Continue to take steps to protect yourself against Covid-19, by staying up-to-date on Covid vaccinations.
• Getting at least 2 1/2 hours of moderate physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both each week.
• Eating a nutritious diet. Eat mainly fruits and vegetables; grains (at least half should be whole grains); fat-free or low fat milk and dairy products; fish, skinless poultry and lean red meats; and polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.
• Visiting a health care professional for regular checkups and preventative screenings.
• Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
• Avoiding unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, texting while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet.

During Women’s Health Week, the health department hopes to raise awareness of the women’s health services available at their First Choice Healthcare locations. The First Choice Healthcare Clinics in Kewanee and Colona offer area women such services as annual exams, pap smears, pregnancy testing, contraceptive counseling and supplies, clinical breast exams, fasting blood profiles, immunizations, and our new mental health services. Payment for Department services include private pay, medicaid, and most insurances.

“Every woman should have access to affordable health care services. We encourage local women to take advantage of the savings offered through our First Choice Healthcare Clinics,” said Tucker.

To find out more about the First Choice Healthcare Clinic’s health services for women call at (309) 852-5272 (Kewanee) or 792-4011 (Colona) or find them on Facebook at Henry and Stark County Health Departments or follow on Twitter and Instagram.