In August, the Network Celebrates…
National Breastfeeding Month Summer Sun Safety Month Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Maternal Vaccines: Part of Healthy Pregnancy Women's Equality Day
The best science, stories, and strategies related to this month’s national health themes. Check back throughout the month for new additions.
National Breastfeeding Month
Breastfeeding has health benefits for both mothers and babies. Not only does breast milk provide a baby with ideal nutritional supports, breastfeeding can also help protect baby and mom against certain diseases. Learn more below.
- Action Alert! August is National Breastfeeding Month – This is observed each August to raise awareness about the health benefits of breastfeeding. Learn how to observe here.
- Breastfeeding Statistics – Check out the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee’s reports by state on breastfeeding prevalence, civil society, and resources. The CDC also tracks national statistics.
- Breastfeeding FAQs – The Office on Women’s Health has compiled answers to all your burning questions about breastfeeding re: health benefits, comparisons to formula, and more.
- Practical Breastfeeding Resources – Want to breastfeed but need some pointers? Check out these breastfeeding tips from a lactation consultant, and this article on how to safely breastfeed in public. Want to breastfeed, but don’t have access to breastmilk? You can request donor milk from Mother’s Milk Bank. Need more specific resources? Check out the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee’s resource web page.
- Breastfeeding Stories – Get first-hand accounts from parents who have been there.
Further Reading - News and Recent Articles
- Study Shows Fathers are Key in Supporting Breastfeeding and Safe Sleep
- Mom Asked to Leave Water Park for Breastfeeding Baby, Sparking Debate on Public Nursing
- The Radical Joy of Breastfeeding my 3-Year-Old
- Breastfeeding Tied to Big Reduction in Infant Deaths
- Infographic: Breastfeeding benefits and challenges
- Pioneering Mothers Are Breaking Down Barriers to Breastfeeding in Olympic Sports
- Tia Mowry Opened Up About Her Breastfeeding Struggles And How She Found Support On Social Media
- USDA Study Sets Nutrition Baseline for Breastfeeding
- Which Cold Medicine Can You Take While Breastfeeding?
Summer Sun Safety Month
Spending time outside is a great way to stay active, reduce stress, and get that crucial vitamin D – but outdoor activity also comes with risks, especially in the hot summer months. Read on to learn how to protect yourself from skin cancer, heat exhaustion, and more.
- Action Alert! August is Summer Sun Safety Month – In August, we celebrate Summer Sun Safety Month as a reminder to stay safe from those harmful UV rays and high temperatures while enjoying the summer. Learn how to observe here.
- Sun Safety 101 – Get the CDC’s sun safety tips for individuals, schools, and employers here. The National Cancer Institute also recently conducted a study on “sun-protective behavior.”
- The Risks of Ignoring Sun Safety – Skin cancer, one of the main risks of overexposing oneself to the sun, is the most common cancer in the United States. Get more skin cancer facts and statistics from the Skin Cancer Foundation. Too much sun can also cause heat stress and exacerbate heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Learn more about these conditions from the CDC.
- Sun-Protective Technology – Did you now there’s such a thing as sun protective clothing? Check out some of the most popular UV-protective garments reviewed by CNN. And over at the New York Times, the Wire Cutter crew has ranked this season’s most effective sunscreens.
- The Voices of Sun Overexposure – Personal stories about skin cancer and heatstroke.
Further Reading - News and Recent Articles
- Texas Worker Accused of Being on Drugs Was Actually Dying of Heatstroke
- Knowing the difference between heat stroke and heat exhaustion; South Ga. hospitals see more heat-affected patients
- Antidepressants can put you at risk of potentially deadly heat stroke. Here’s how to stay safe while taking them this summer.
- Are You Really Getting the Sun Protection You Need?
- Stay safe while having fun in the sun
- Anti-SPF Conspiracy Theorists Are Everywhere But Do Their Claims Stack Up?
- What Dermatologists Wish You Knew About Sun Protection
- Explainer: Extreme heat may mean using a different sunscreen
- How Bad Is a Suntan, Really?
- Anti-SPF Conspiracy Theorists Are Everywhere But Do Their Claims Stack Up?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination
According to the CDC, approximately 79 million people are currently infected with HPV, and most people will be infected by at least one type of HPV at some time in their lives. HPV can cause cancers later in life – but there are vaccines available that can greatly reduce the chances of this. Learn more below.
- HPV 101 – What exactly is HPV, anyway? How many kinds are there? What are the signs and symptoms, and how exactly can we prevent it? Get the latest over at healthywomen.org.
- HPV Prevention – Get the latest on the safety and efficacy of HPV vaccines currently available, as well as some common-sense things you can do to protect yourself from HPV. The CDC also has a great HPV vaccine protocol outline here.
- Teens – Advocate for Yourselves With Parents! – dosomething.org put together a handy conversation guide about how to have ‘the talk’ with parents about HPV vaccination.
- Cancers Associated with HPV – Almost all cervical cancer is caused by HPV, as well as some cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and mouth. Get the facts here.
- Real Stories About HPV and HPV-Related Cancers – Lily’s cervical cancer was caused by HPV. The Cervical Cancer Trust has compiled dozens of other stories about HPV as well.
Maternal Vaccines: Part of Healthy Pregnancy
According to the CDC, approximately 79 million people are currently infected with HPV, and most people will be infected by at least one type of HPV at some time in their lives. HPV can cause cancers later in life – but there are vaccines available that can greatly reduce the chances of this. Learn more below.
- HPV 101 – What exactly is HPV, anyway? How many kinds are there? What are the signs and symptoms, and how exactly can we prevent it? Get the latest over at healthywomen.org.
- HPV Prevention – Get the latest on the safety and efficacy of HPV vaccines currently available, as well as some common-sense things you can do to protect yourself from HPV. The CDC also has a great HPV vaccine protocol outline here.
- Teens – Advocate for Yourselves With Parents! – dosomething.org put together a handy conversation guide about how to have ‘the talk’ with parents about HPV vaccination.
- Cancers Associated with HPV – Almost all cervical cancer is caused by HPV, as well as some cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and mouth. Get the facts here.
- Real Stories About HPV and HPV-Related Cancers – Lily’s cervical cancer was caused by HPV. The Cervical Cancer Trust has compiled dozens of other stories about HPV as well.
Women’s Equality Day
August 26 is Women’s Equality Day, and though women have made great strides, we are still far from equal, especially when it comes to access to high-quality health care. Learn more below.
- More on Women’s Equality Day – The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, ensures voting rights for everyone regardless of gender. Today, Women’s Equality Day celebrates the achievements of women’s rights activists and reminds us of the unique daily struggles that women face. Learn the history of the day and tips for observing here.
- The White House’s National Strategy on Gender Equity – President Biden established the White House Gender Policy Council at the start of his term, and charged it with leading the development of this strategy. Read what the council has been up to here.
- Introducing the Global Gender Gap Report – The Global Gender Gap Index annually benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions (Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment). Explore the report here.
- The Best and Worst States for Women – Based on 25 indicators of living standards like median earnings, access to preventive health care, and the female homicide rate. Read wallethub’s analysis here.
- The Gender Pay Gap in 2023 – The gender pay gap refers to how much women are paid compared to men. The gap has narrowed in the past eight years, but we still have a long way to go.
- 16 Women Throughout History who Famously Fought for Equality – Some you’ve probably heard of – and others we can almost guarantee will surprise you.