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Women, we’re talking to you this week. September 27^th is National Women’s Health and Fitness Day, and it’s a great opportunity to discuss health trends and issues that are especially pertinent to women. Here are a few quick statistics, good and not-so-good, about women’s health tendencies:

• Women tend to prioritize getting medical care. In a survey sponsored by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2021, an impressive 93% of women reported seeing a doctor in the last two years. 
• Kaiser Family Foundation also reports that women were less likely than men to seek medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic, and tend to delay care if they feel they’re in fair or poor health. 
• Women are less likely than men to meet guidelines for aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities, with the percentage of those meeting guidelines decreasing with age. In one study of US women in 2018, 28.7% aged 18-34, 22.7% aged 35-49, 21.6% aged 50-64, and only 10.8% of women aged 65 and older were hitting the mark for aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise.
• Women are generally more likely than men to seek mental health treatment; in a 2020 survey by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 25% of women, and 14% of men, received mental health care over the previous 12 months.

At Fountain Hills Medical Center, we recognize the value that lies in women prioritizing their health, and want to help the Fountain Hills and surrounding communities commit to healthy lifestyles. Here are a few suggestions we often provide to our female patients: 

• Schedule your annual exam. Women too often put loved ones’ needs first when it comes to healthcare and forget to follow up on routine exams. Keeping current on all recommended medical exams can help ensure you’re able to give your all to what’s important to you.
• Be physically active more often. It’s hard to overstate how important physical exercise is. Getting your heart rate up on a regular basis can help with mental health, disease mitigation, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, quality of sleep, provide more energy, and also help with keeping your body at a healthy weight.
• Get out of that rut. One key to increasing mental stimulation and avoiding boredom is to change things up a little. You can find online instruction on developing a new skill or hobby. You can swap out meditation or prayer for your daily social media scroll a few times per week. Even driving to see new sights and try new restaurants in neighboring towns can help shake things up. Not only does trying new things help your mental health, but it can actually improve your brain health by allowing neurons to form new pathways and connections.
• Mind your diet. Ensure you’re getting enough calcium, iron, and protein; three nutrients women are more likely to be deficient in but are crucial for optimal health. And don’t forget magnesium, which helps increase calcium absorption from the blood into the bones; this is very important for osteoporosis prevention. Also try to include plenty of fiber in your daily diet in the form of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.  

One key factor in women’s wellbeing is whether there is quality medical care available in their communities. That’s why we’re thrilled to remain a quality healthcare provider in Fountain Hills for this, and surrounding, communities. Having top-grade healthcare so close to home helps our patients prioritize seeking medical care for preventative measures and more urgent needs. Whether you seek our Fountain Hills telehealth services, medical clinic services, or urgent/emergency care, you can have confidence that Fountain Hills Medical Center will be here, ready to help.

Sources

• KFF.org
• Cdc.gov
• Helpguide.org
• Elifesciences.org