Women’s Health

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, a time to highlight preterm birth and the health issues it poses for infants and mothers. What defines prematurity? A term pregnancy usually lasts for 40 weeks. A premature baby is an infant that is born before 37 weeks gestation. A 2024 March of Dimes report shows that one in 10 babies are born premature every year. Often, people do not understand that premature babies are not just smaller in size, they can have many issues that range from immature lungs to developmental delays.

October is National Dental Hygiene Month. Dental care is an important part of your overall health. Make sure you go to regular dental visits to help keep your smile healthy. During your appointments, the dentist can find any cavities early and treat them. Early treatment prevents them from getting worse.

September is National Childhood Obesity Month. Obesity rates among children in the U.S. have doubled since 1980 and have tripled for teens. About 19.7% of children ages 2 to 19 are considered obese. Children who take in too many calories and don't get enough exercise or sleep are at risk for obesity. Efforts to prevent obesity should begin early.

September is National Newborn Screening Awareness Month. It’s a time to think about tests that identify conditions that could affect a baby’s long-term health. Newborn screening is a term you may hear from your doctor before or just after your baby is born. This screening is composed of three different tests. They include:

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. It is an opportunity for people of all ages to learn about the importance of getting vaccines. Vaccines help protect against serious illnesses. They also help to reduce the spread of diseases. Stay up to date with your vaccines to stay in good health and protect those around you. Talk to your primary care provider (PCP) about getting the appropriate vaccines.