In March, the Network Celebrates…
HPV Awareness Good Sleep Hygiene Endometriosis Awareness Women's History Month
The best science, stories, and strategies related to this month’s national health themes. Check back throughout the month for new additions.
HPV Awareness
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States. About 80% of women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their life, and an estimated 36,500 of those cases per year cause cancer. HPV is also preventable thanks to the HPV vaccine. Protect yourself and your loved ones with the latest info:
- Action Alert! HPV Awareness Day is March 4 – Learn more about HPV Awareness Day and how to stop the spread.
- HPV 101 – Who gets HPV? Is it always symptomatic? What health problems can HPV cause? How can it be prevented? Check out this fact sheet developed by the Office on Women’s Health to learn what you need to know about HPV, including answers to some very frequently asked questions about the virus.
- HPV by the Numbers – How common is HPV infection? How many HPV cases lead to cancer? How effective is the HPV vaccine? The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has broken it all down for us in an easy-to-digest web page.
- Lily’s Story: Cervical Cancer Caused by HPV – At just 27 years old, Lily learned that she had cervical cancer. Learn about her treatment, how she coped, and what advice she has for women everywhere.
Good Sleep Hygiene
Good sleep is important for nearly all aspects of our health and wellbeing. The average adult needs approximately seven to nine hours of sleep each night – and yet, according to the CDC, fewer than two thirds of women actually get that much sleep. Read on to learn more about chronic sleep deprivation amongst women and how to get better quality sleep:
- Action Alert! March 17 is World Sleep Day – The World Sleep Society is issuing a global call to action to organize sleep health awareness activities on this day. Learn more about World Sleep Day, and get free, shareable resources.
- 10 Tips for Better Sleep – Check out this printable fact sheet developed by the World Sleep Society for tips on how to sleep like a baby! We just about guarantee some of them will surprise you.
- Common Sleep Problems for Women – Did you know that various sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and sleep deprivation disproportionately affect women? The Sleep Foundation provides an overview of these conditions, how sleep changes throughout a woman’s life, and more.
- Sleep by the Numbers – People aged 25 – 44 get the least sleep in the U.S. More Black people and Pacific Islanders report short sleep duration than any other group. The east coast is worse at sleep than the west coast. Get these statistics and many more from the CDC.
Further Reading - News and Recent Articles
- The Relationship Between Sleep Deprivation and Postpartum Depression – A Recent Examination
- The Effects of Lack of Sleep and Poor Sleep During Pregnancy
- How the seasons change our sleep
- Sleep like a pro with these 6 expert tips
- That groggy feeling when you wake up might be sleep inertia: 3 ways to prevent it
- What to eat and drink to help you sleep
- 8 Warning Signs of Sleep Apnea
- Sleep affects your immunity after vaccination. Here’s how
- These 3 Sleep Habits Can Increase Your Life Expectancy
Endometriosis Awareness
Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition in which the endometrial tissue, i.e., the inner lining of the uterus, grows outside of it. These growths usually occur on the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Endometriosis may affect more than 11% of women aged 15 to 44 in the U.S. and can can cause painful periods, irregular bleeding, and infertility:
- Action Alert! March is Endometriosis Awareness Month – Learn more and help us raise awareness about the causes, types, symptoms, and treatment of endometriosis.
- Endometriosis 101 – The National Library of Medicine (NIH) has created a one-stop web page on endometriosis. Visit to learn about symptoms, diagnostics, prevention, risk factors, treatments, and more.
- All of Your Endometriosis FAQs Answered – The Office on Women’s Health has you covered.
- How to Find the Right Endometriosis Specialist – what to consider and how to prepare for your initial appointment from the Endometriosis Foundation of America.
- Hear From Women Living With Endometriosis – Speakendo.com has collected dozens of patient stories. Learn something new and see how you can share your own story.
Further Reading - News and Recent Articles
- The Latest Federal Advocacy Updates From the Endometriosis Foundation of America
- The Endo and LGBTQAI Resource Hub
- The Endo Resource Portal for People of Color
- Bindi Irwin: Doctors dismissed endometriosis as pain women ‘deal with’
- 5 Women Share Their Experiences Of Living With Endometriosis
- Corinne Foxx details experience with endometriosis, producing film about the condition
- Genetic study of endometriosis reveals clues to better treatment
Women’s History Month
The NWHN is proud to celebrate Women’s History Month in March. The theme for 2023 is “Celebrating Women Who Tell our Stories.” Read on to learn more about our favorite vintage women’s health heroes.
- Check out the NWHN’s Series Celebrating Women’s Health Heroes in History – Learn whose hard work led to:
– Modern Condoms
– Advancements in Heart Health
– Cervical Cancer Prevention & Screening
– Modern Vaccines
– Better Health Care for Native Americans - Explore the Concept of Girlhood With the National Museum of American History – Learn how girls changed the history of sex education, birth control, and more.
- Listen to Maternal Health Memories and Musts with Byllye Avery – We interviewed a reproductive justice advocate with nearly 50 years in the field. Listen to her podcast episode to learn how maternal health treatment and outcomes have changed then to now.