by Roba Whiteley, Together Rx Access® Executive Director
Women play many roles—wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends. And, for most families, women are the key decision makers about family healthcare. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor reports that women are responsible for approximately 80 percent of all decisions about a family’s health.1
As the family healthcare CEO, women play even more roles, including health provider, care manager, friend, companion, surrogate decision maker, and advocate.
While juggling all of these responsibilities, it is vital for women to stay informed about ways to take better care of their health. Below are some tips to keep top of mind:
Manage Stress
Find ways to de-stress, such as exercising or simply spending time relaxing.
- Get seven to nine hours of sleep each night, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Not getting enough sleep is associated with a number of chronic conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression.
Eat Healthfully
- Prepare healthy meals and snacks.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Focus on fresh and grown close-to-home foods when possible.
Get Regular Health Exams
- Schedule physical exams for yourself, as well as your family.
- Remember to make time for preventative checkups and tests, such as mammography, Pap smear, prostate cancer test and cholesterol or diabetes screenings.
Check Your Medicines
- Organize your medicine chest and check expiration dates.
- Plan ahead for prescription refills.
- Determine if you and your family are eligible for free prescription assistance resources, such as the Together Rx Access® Card, which helps eligible uninsured Americans save on the medicines they need to stay healthy and to manage chronic conditions. Individuals who enroll receive a free-to-get and free-to-use card that can help them save on brand-name and generic medicines right at the pharmacy counter. For more information, visit TogetherRxAccess.com or call 1-800-966-0407.
Reference 1. United States Department of Labor. General Facts on Women and Job Based Health. Available at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/newsroom/fshlth5.html. Accessed 8/3/10.
