Half of American Women Think They’re More Successful Than Their Men

There’s a new male-female survey out, and this time it’s in Women’s Health, which reveals in the March issue that almost half of American women think they’re “more successful” than the men they go out with or are married to. Women’s Health spins this as a positive — how great is it that women are so confident and happy and full of opportunities in their careers!? — and, yet, the question begged is: Why are we dating losers?

Of course, that might not be it at all. Maybe these women are dating men who aren’t the career-obsessed workaholic type, men who instead shower them with attention and affection and good times because they actually have time — and maybe that in part is why they’re so happy with their careers, and other stuff too. Confidence and pleasure in certain parts of life tend to extend toward others.

Lisa Bain, executive editor at Women’s Health, attributes the stats in part to the gradual evening of the wage gap (apparently, for women under 30 that gap is gone, and the ladies are actually making more than their male peers). Also, women are better educated, financially independent, etc. etc., nowadays. All good things.

But if anything, the oddest thing about this survey is the word “successful.” Sure, it can mean money, but it can also mean other things. And considering someone you’re dating or possibly married to less successful than you seems to indicate a certain kind of superiority that might not be so great in a relationship, or maybe that’s just us. More revealing, perhaps, are these additional survey results:

According to the poll, these women don’t think they’ve made it unless they’re making $100,000K or more. The majority of them think they’re more successful than their friends and their siblings. And half of them think wearing black helps them be more successful at work.

Lawmakers see a timely target in Planned Parenthood

WASHINGTON — In the rush to slash the federal budget, House Republicans have taken quick aim the nation’s largest provider of abortions, reviving an emotional fight after a campaign season in which social issues were dormant.

A coalition of abortion foes joined with an undercover video activist on Thursday to call on lawmakers to cut all funding for Planned Parenthood, which they blasted as “complicit” in the trafficking of underage girls for prostitution. Planned Parenthood denies the allegations.

The attack came a day after House Republicans announced a spending proposal for the rest of the budget year that would eliminate funding for a 40-year-old family planning program. Planned Parenthood is the largest recipient of the so-called Title X funds, which pay for contraception and cancer screenings, but not abortions, to low-income patients.

The proposed spending cuts added momentum to an already burgeoning feud over abortion in Congress. Buoyed by the arrival of dozens of new anti-abortion Republicans, conservative lawmakers have introduced several bills that would further distance taxpayers from any connection to abortion.

Current policy already bars federal money in Medicaid and other government programs for abortion — except in cases of rape, incest or a danger to the life of the woman.

In response to the new push, Democrats and their allies accused Republicans of mounting an attack on women’s health and veering far from their promise of a laser-like focus on economic issues.

“The new leadership ran on the agenda of jobs and the economy and what they’re giving us instead is possibly the most extreme assault on reproductive rights in decades,” said Donna Crane, policy director for NARAL Pro-Choice America. “It’s a classic bait and switch.”

Title X funding had not been targeted for a cut since 1995, Crane said, when the effort failed in a Republican-led House. Planned Parenthood said it receives $363 million a year in government grants and contracts at the state, local and federal level.

But the current climate, where calls for fiscal discipline rule the day, presents a new opportunity for anti-abortion Republicans who have long opposed federal funding to Planned Parenthood. Lawmakers said they plan to remain focused on cutting the budget while also moving forward on an issue of key importance to many in their base.

On Thursday, they noted their new allies in the House and the economic constraints were both working in their favor.

“This is when we’re going to defund Planned Parenthood,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns, (R-Fla.). “Now is the season for us to do this.”

Although the cuts may be embraced by the House, they are likely to find much more resistance in the Senate, where Democrats hold the majority.

The fight against Planned Parenthood gained steam from a series of videos recently released by a young anti-abortion activist. Some of the videos, shot undercover by the group Live Action, appear to show Planned Parenthood staff giving advice to people claiming to be engaged in sex work and seeking medical care for underage girls.

At a news conference on Capitol Hill, Live Action head Lila Rose, who has targeted Planned Parenthood clinics for several years with sting operations, said the videos showed the employees “willing to aid and abet the human trafficking of teenage girls.”

One such video resulted in the firing of a Planned Parenthood employee in New Jersey. But in all other cases, the video are “heavily edited and manipulated” said Planned Parenthood spokesman Stuart Schear.

“The organization is not credible and their tapes cannot be trusted,” he said.

The debate is not likely to die down quickly. Stearns, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s oversight panel, said he planned to call Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to testify on the matter.

Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) said he would introduce an amendment to cut all federal funding for Planned Parenthood. Pence also has introduced a bill to prohibit Title X funds from being awarded to any health provider that performs abortions.

Another bill, introduced by Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.) would eliminate federal tax breaks for employers who offer health insurance if their plans cover abortion.

Abortion bill is an assault on women’s health care

Rep. Chris Smith (R-4th Dist.) has sponsored a bill that would make it difficult for most women — even those who pay for their own health insurance coverage — to obtain a safe abortion in a medical facility. It’s the latest salvo in the war on women’s rights to obtain a safe abortion.

Federal law already prohibits poor women from using Medicaid dollars for an abortion except under certain circumstances, such as rape or health emergency. The bill makes radioactive any health plan that offers abortion coverage.

Private health insurance plans that cover the procedure lose tax credits and subsidies. Employers who offer the offending plans have their tax credits snatched away. And employees — male and female — who subscribe to a plan that covers abortion are punished, too. It doesn’t matter if you never had an abortion or even contemplated it. If your health care plan includes abortion coverage, you won’t be able to take deductions for your premiums.

Nearly every employee-based health plan covers abortion, according to the nonpartisan health think tank Guttmacher Institute, so the bill would have a devastating effect on women’s access to abortion. The institute estimates that 1 in 3 women have had or will have an abortion before the age of 45. You or someone you know has likely had an abortion.

Smith invokes “bigotry” against the unborn child, but don’t be fooled. The only bias at play here is against a woman’s right to choose.

Smith’s proposal comes on the heels of efforts by anti-abortion groups to discredit Planned Parenthood and cut off its federal funding.

Two other House bills would also slam the door on women. One would allow medical staff and hospitals to refuse to perform abortions, or any duties related to the procedure, even in a medical emergency. Another bill, introduced late yesterday, would kill $327 million for family planning services of all kinds, including preventative care and contraceptive counseling.

This is beyond the abortion question. It goes to the heart of a woman’s right to make her own informed choices about health care.

Walk, Shop and Stroll for Women’s Heart Health Friday

In the spirit of National Heart Month, the Women’s Heart Program at the John Muir Health Women’s Health Center is inviting women to take steps for cardiovascular health in its 7th annual walk Friday. The Go Red: Walk, Shop and Stroll event takes place noon to 2 p.m. and is designed to educate, inspire and bring awareness about heart disease to women.

Preventing heart disease in women, one step at a time–literally–has been the mantra of women of all ages who have walked in the event in past years.

Heart disease is still the number one killer of American women each year, according to the American Heart Association. This event provides a way for women to be proactive in taking care of themselves. They learn about the risks for developing cardiovascular disease and how to take action to lead healthier lives.

“Heart health is so important and now is a great time for people to do something for themselves and make that change to a healthier lifestyle. It’s all about taking the first step, and every step truly counts,” says Evon Shipley, LVN, and Women’s Heart Program Coordinator.

The walk begins at the Women’s Health Center 1656 North California Blvd., covers approximately 1.5 miles through downtown Walnut Creek and ends in Broadway Plaza. This year, the event includes a special Zumba session that will get hearts racing and improve cardiovascular fitness. Special talks, giveaways and prizes will be available. The first 100 registered participants will receive a free commemorative t-shirt.

Republican Congress attacks women’s health care

For years, anti-choice zealots have been pushing to deny more and more women access to safe, legal abortions. They’ve succeeded in denying any direct federal funding for abortions, making it much harder for low and mid income women to have access. Now, they’re gathering steam to deny the normal federal tax deductions and credits for employers who provide health care coverage for employees IF the health care plan covers abortion.

Incidentally, that’s a huge tax increase. If you pay for your own coverage directly, no deductions, credits, etc. for you, either, if the plan you select offers abortion coverage. It doesn’t matter if you or someone covered by your plan doesn’t actually GET an abortion–just the fact that its covered is enough to disallow the deductions.

This effects roughly 87% of private insurance plans for individuals and businesses.

Is there another type of health care procedure singled out for this kind of punitive tax increase? Not that I know of.

This ought to be called “The Rich Heiress Abortion Protection Act of 2011″. This does nothing but keep all but those who can afford to write their own check from having access to reproductive choice. No word on how proponents of this oppressive mess plan to support all the families they’re forcing into existence.

There’s been significant pushback against this particular resolution, mostly because it originally attempted to redefine rape in an effort to make it much harder to qualify for a rape exception. But that language was pulled because GOP leaders found it a tough sell.

I contacted each of Oregon’s congressional offices in order to find out their response to this legislation. The statement from Blumenauer’s office was sent yesterday, prior to the removal of the heinous rape provision:

“It defies imagination that the new majority in the House would start parsing the meaning of rape. At a time when there is such concern about the polarization in politics, this is a horrible time for this bad idea.”

How can anyone support saying that women who are drugged, children who are victims of statutory rape, or people who are victims of the many date rape scenarios should no longer be considered raped under federal law? Shockingly, that is exactly what legislation introduced this Congress, HR 3, does.

Even more shocking is the powerful symbolism that the House leadership wants to address this issue, but has not yet put a single bill relating to job creation up for a vote on the floor.”

Even with the removal of the rape provision, the Congressman has an excellent point. The House GOP’s complete lack of focus on the economy and jobs is stunning in its arrogance.

Predictably, calls to Congressman Walden’s office were not returned. I expect they’re not exactly anxious to have to defend the fact that their party is championing a tax increase AND not doing anything about job creation.

Congressman Wu’s office stated:

Anti-choice interests continue to advance the myth that federal tax dollars are going towards abortion procedures in order to undermine women’s basic right to quality, affordable, and accessible reproductive health care.

As we saw during the debate on health care reform, supporters of the broken status quo are willing to use the most divisive rhetoric available to foment support for their views.

In fact, extremely tight restrictions on federal funding of abortion procedures already exist. This legislation is nothing more than the latest iteration of a favorite right-wing bogeyman.”

Schrader:

“Reproductive health and pregnancy are deeply personal matters and the choices involved are best left to patients and their doctors. As a pro-choice Democrat I oppose any new restrictions on reproductive rights.”

DeFazio:

“I strongly opposed H.R. 3 because it limits women’s access to care and limits their ability to make decisions about their health care. This is another example of Republicans using social wedge issues to divide our county and distract voters from the real needs of our nation – job creation – for which they have no answers.”

DeFazio has it right in a nutshell: the GOP has no answers for fixing the economy–and it shows by their complete lack of effort to do anything but push crazy social crap–and the repeal of one thing that actually DOES save money: health care legislation.

Pre-natal outreach campaign in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: The capital city’s first pre-natal outreach campaign is to help educate married women in Abu Dhabi about how to prepare for a pregnancy, and offer a free, three-month supply of pre-natal vitamins.

Amira Wali, director of Public Health and Communications at Corniche Hospital, which is organising the campaign, told Gulf News that the first pre-natal outreach session would be on February 28 at the Women’s Health Centre, and from then onwards once a month until the end of the year.

A total of 20 couples would be included at the start.

“If we get 100 women interested to sign up and attend our pre-pregnancy outreach programme today, we will think about offering more pre-natal classes,” said Wali on the sidelines of the Bride Show Abu Dhabi.

As part of the campaign, a dedicated booth has been set up at the Bride Show which began yesterday and will run until February 5 at the National Exhibition Centre.

A team of female doctors, dieticians and health experts will be available at the booth to offer women free medical advice and a three-month supply of pre-natal vitamins.

Wali said: “We have a supply of 300,000 pre-natal tablets in 3,000 boxes, ranging from folic acid, calcium, iron, zinc, Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E which will be given to healthy women … and to those who plan to attend our upcoming pre-natal session”.

Women with medical conditions would be referred, she said.

Women & Heart Disease Education Program

Heart Disease is not just a “man’s disease.” It is the leading cause of death in women and responsible for more deaths than all forms of cancer combined.
Catholic Health will be sponsoring a free women’s health education program entitled, “Heart Health for Women,” on Wednesday, February 9 beginning at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the OLV Senior Neighborhood located at 55 Melroy Avenue in Lackawanna.
Even though most people associate heart disease with men, it is a growing women’s health concern. Ginny Lyons, RN, women’s health specialist, will provide a female-focused overview of the risks, signs, symptoms and current treatment options for heart disease.
All area women are invited. If you would like to learn what you can do to keep your heart healthy, plan on attending this free women’s health program.

New Campaign Urges Women to Know Signs of Heart Attack

TUESDAY, Feb. 1 (HealthDay News) — Every minute a woman has a heart attack in the United States, yet many don’t reach out for help because they don’t recognize the symptoms, U.S. health officials said Tuesday.

In fact, according to the American Heart Association, only 53 percent said they would call 911 even if they thought they were having a heart attack, which is why the federal government is starting a new campaign called Make the Call, Don’t Miss A Beat.

“We hope to engage and empower women to recognize the seven most common symptoms of a heart attack and call 911 as soon as those symptoms begin to appear,” assistant secretary for health Dr. Howard K. Koh said during a morning news conference.

Each year in the United States about 1.2 million people have heart attacks. Of these, about 515,000 are women, Koh said. But there have been challenges in getting women to recognize the warning signs and symptoms of a heart attack and getting them to call 911, he said.

Koh also noted that women wait longer than men in calling for help, “which leads to poorer outcomes for women.”

“The good news is that if you seek medical attention as soon as heart attack symptoms begin, treatment can save your life and prevent permanent damage to the heart. In fact, treatment works best when given within an hour of the onset of symptoms,” he said.

Speaking at the news conference, Suzanne Haynes, a senior science adviser at the U.S. Office on Women’s Health, noted that a 2010 survey found 53 percent of women said they would not call 911 and 47 percent said they would call a relative or drive themselves to the hospital.

“These percentages were shocking, because they were down from 2006. In 2006, about 80 percent of women said they would call 911,” she said. “Something was going on to discourage women from calling 911, and we need to reverse it.”

Another expert, Dr. Lori Mosca, director of preventive cardiology at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, said that a only minority of women recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and would call 911, even though they would call if they thought another person was having a heart attack.

“We believe this may be related to denial,” she said. “Many women are hoping they can just be wrong if they think they are having a heart attack; some women feel that if they go to the emergency room that their symptoms will be dismissed, and in fact they may be right.”

In addition, women don’t want to bother others and are concerned about being embarrassed and also the cost of calling 911, she added. “But no matter what these barriers are, if they don’t call 911 and get the help they need, they are significantly more likely to suffer an extensive heart attack or die,” Mosca said.

Also speaking at Tuesday’s news conference, Pamela Detrow, a WomenHeart Champion and heart attack survivor, shared her experience.

While out for lunch with a friend, Detrow began to have shortness of breath, cold sweat, dizziness and a racing heart beat.

“A couple of minutes later, these symptoms intensified and they became very profound,” she said. “I returned to the table and fatigue overwhelmed me. I could not lift my head, my arms. Fortunately, my friend knew something was wrong. I thought I was just having some kind of a spell that would pass. She had called 911, and I was taken to a hospital.”

According to Make the Call, Don’t Miss A Beat, the seven symptoms of a heart attack include:
Chest pain, discomfort, pressure or squeezing
Shortness of breath
Nausea
Lightheadedness or sudden dizziness
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck, jaw or upper part of the stomach
Unusual fatigue
Breaking out in a cold sweat

If you have any or a combination of these symptoms, call 911 immediately.

Corniche Hospital launches pre-pregnancy health awareness campaign at The Bride Show Abu Dhabi

Doctors from the hospital are advising that it is never too early to start preparing for your pregnancy and are reaching out to brides-to-be and young women to encourage them to maintain a healthy lifestyle and begin taking pre-natal vitamins, including folic acid, three months before an anticipated pregnancy in an attempt to reduce the prevalence of spina bifida among newborns.

Doctor Judy Lee, chief medical officer of Corniche Hospital, platinum sponsors of The Bride Show Abu Dhabi, said, “Newlyweds are often keen to start a family soon after they have celebrated their marriage and our goal is to educate them on how to prepare their bodies for pregnancy. Another goal is to reduce the risks to the mother and her unborn baby if she has a personal or family history of medical conditions.”

“We recommend that brides-to-be begin taking pre-natal vitamins in the months leading up to their wedding and after so that their bodies are ready for pregnancy when the time comes. In addition, unlike in other countries, many foods in the UAE are not fortified with folic acid and therefore it is important for women intending to become pregnant to ensure that they receive their recommended intake of folic acid from other sources,” Judy Lee added.

A team of female doctors, dieticians and health experts from Corniche Hospital will be available at The Bride Show Abu Dhabi from 2 to 5 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, offering advice and giving away a free three month’s supply of pre-natal vitamins suitable for all women.

Women visiting the exhibition stand at the show will also have the opportunity to register for one of the free evening classes at the Women’s Health Centre in Abu Dhabi which aims to educate women about preparing for their pregnancy.

There will be a private area where women can speak about more personal health-related issues with a doctor and receive free blood pressure, weight, body fat, and diabetes checks.

The Bride Show Abu Dhabi and The Bride Show Dubai, the Middle East’s most opulent, glamorous and sparkling bridal and fashion extravaganzas, has long promoted the importance of achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, particularly when embarking upon a new marriage and family.

In 2008, the event launched the Go Red for Women campaign to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease, the biggest single killer of women and in 2010, the London Breast Clinic introduced BCtect, an innovative blood test for early detection of breast cancer. Addressing the emotional factors related to marriage, the show offers marriage guidance counsellors who are on hand to discuss the many questions women have about relationships.

Women’s Health symposium in Redding

REDDING – Plan now to attend a reception and lecture with leading medical professionals who will share the latest information on cancer that is most often experienced by women.

The Mercy Regional Cancer Center and the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center will present An Evening Dedicated to the Latest and Greatest in the Detection and Treatment of Women-related Cancers 4:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Redding. There is no charge to attend.

Topics will include: Breast Cancer presented by Lauren Strickland, DO, Breast Surgical Oncology specialist; Cervical Cancer presented by George Sawaya, MD, professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences & Epidemiology & Biostatistics at UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The event will include complimentary appetizers and a no host bar.

CHIP joins with health fund

Onslow County Community Health Improvement Process Inc. has joined forces with the Onslow Women’s Health Fund, according to releases from the organization this week. As of Jan. 10, Onslow CHIP is the financial intermediary for the health fund.

The first joint event for the organizations will be an OWHF “Raising Green for the Girls” Bunco tournament set for March 15 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
Tickets are $30 per person or $25 per person for a 4-person team, and seating is limited to 100 players. Registration forms are available online at Onslowwomenshealthfund.webs.com or by calling Melissa St. Clair, advisory committee member at 910-389-5771.

Players may register by sending a check, payable to Onslow County CHIP Inc. and earmarked in the memo line: OWHF, c/o Sue Talbert, OCHD, 612 College St., Jacksonville, NC 28540. Include contact information and the name of each player with the check.