Blog #1 HS3133

I am concerned about several women's health issues but the issue that is of greatest personal importance to me is healthy aging and maintaining personal productivity. Being 60 years old, single and having seen savings and retirement depleted by the economic downturn, it is doubly important that I remain healthy and able to be productive well into my "golden years". My concentration is on maintaining physical health (including the most effective treatment for osteoporosis, which I do have), strength and mental acuity, as well as life long learning and a love of trying new things and embarking on new projects and adventures. Healthy eating, physical and mental exercise and enjoying life each day (attitude!) play an important part in my plans for the future. I am definitely concerned about the availability of comprehensive health coverage for seniors as the recent healthcare legislation is implemented. I spoke with two women, one 18 years old and one age 39. The 18 year old is an athlete and related that she is concerned with maintaining physical strength and further developing her athletic ability- she would like to make her sport her vocation, first as a player and later as a coach. She is also concerned with "looking good, having lots of energy and enjoying life and friends, including guys". She said that she is concerned about how pregnancy and motherhood might affect her athletic ability and if she will be able to continue playing if she marries and has a child. The 39 year old is a married mother of 3 really busy children, is involved in a lot of civic activities and she works part time. She related that her main health focus right now is dealing with fatigue due to her busy lifestyle and not getting enough rest, which often leads to migraine headaches. She also deals with some depression and is looking for remedies for both that do not involve taking drugs. Another concern for her is how health coverage for her family will be impacted by the recent healthcare legislation. I have also become aware of another more global health issue that is of great concern to me - the very young age that a significant number of girls are becoming sexually active, some as young as 12 or 13. Aside from the obvious concerns of sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy, I am very concerned about their mental and emotional health as they enter into complicated relationships and encounters that they are not mature enough to negotiate without damage to self esteem and future ability to establish and maintain healthy relationships. I don't think more sex education is the answer - I believe we need to address the reasons that children this young become sexually active, one of which is lack of self esteem and self respect.