“Light” Tobacco Products Pose Heavy Health Risks

“Light” Tobacco Products Pose Heavy Health Risks

 

A federal law is restricting the words “light,” “low,” and “mild” from tobacco products now on the market, as health officials launch a campaign to inform smokers that there’s no such thing as a safe cigarette.

Under the 2009 Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, a tobacco company can’t use the words “light,” “low,” and “mild” on any cigarette products now on the market unless FDA has issued an order allowing it—and that hasn’t happened. Manufacturers had until June 22 to stop labeling cigarettes that were then on the market as “light,” “low,” and “mild.” Then, they had another month to distribute already produced cigarettes.

Now, retailers can sell leftover inventory with the restricted words until stocks are depleted.

Corinne Husten, M.D., M.P.H., senior medical advisor on tobacco issues at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), says “light,” “low,” and “mild” inaccurately describe cigarettes now on the market. Prohibiting the use of the words will help debunk the myth that low-tar cigarettes are less harmful than regular cigarettes.

“These terms imply that the products are safer,” says Husten. “However, studies clearly show that the consumer can get just as much nicotine and tar from these cigarettes as ‘regular’ cigarettes.”
”Low” Tar, High Risk

Cigarette makers started using the light, low, and mild labels in response to a historic, 1964 Surgeon General’s report linking smoking to cancer. At the time, about 42 percent of American adults smoked; those figures began to fall after the report was released, and they continued to decline as more scientific evidence became available. By 2007, 19.8 percent of American adults smoked, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The tobacco companies fought back by changing the design of cigarettes—adding filters, ventilation holes, and additives. They also marketed these cigarettes as “low-yield” cigarettes that deliver less than 15 milligrams of tar—the sticky brown residue from a burned cigarette—when tested on a smoking machine in an effort to imply that these new brands were less harmful. But experts say low-tar cigarettes are no safer than regular cigarettes.

"The public health history here is a tragedy because for decades millions of Americans used these products under some expectation that the products would be less risky,” says Lawrence R. Deyton, M.S.P.H., M.D., who heads FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “In fact, many who use ‘light’ cigarettes don't quit smoking because they mistakenly think they have reduced the health hazards of their cigarettes."
Frightening Statistics

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco-related illness is the leading, preventable cause of death in the United States—causing more than 400,000 deaths each year.

Husten says smokers are plagued by lung cancer and nine other forms of cancer, as well as heart disease, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia. Smokers die an average of 14 years sooner than nonsmokers.

And as adult tobacco use has steadily declined, tobacco companies have tried to fill the gap by marketing cigarettes to young people. Now, about 4,000 U.S. adolescents smoke their first cigarette each day, and another 1,000 become daily smokers, Husten says.

The law gives FDA the power to regulate the manufacture, sale, and distribution of tobacco products, including
strengthening warning labels
restricting the use of the words light, low, and mild on cigarette packaging and advertising
taking steps to reduce youth access

FDA also has the authority to set standards for levels of toxins, carcinogens, and nicotine, Deyton told the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco at a meeting earlier this year.
How to Quit Smoking

Quitting is hard, but millions of smokers and smokeless tobacco users have been able to beat their addiction to tobacco. Many people try to quit several times before they finally succeed, but there are community, state, and federal resources available that can help.

If you, a friend, or loved one is trying to stop using tobacco products, visit http://smokefree.gov or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669; TTY 1-800-332-8615).

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

Lung Diseases and Conditions

Many steps are involved in breathing. If injury, disease, or other factors affect any of the steps, you may have trouble breathing.
For example, the fine hairs (cilia) that line your upper airways may not trap all of the germs you breathe in. These germs can cause an infection in your bronchial tubes (bronchitis) or deep in your lungs (pneumonia). These infections cause a buildup of mucus and/or fluid that narrows the airways and limits airflow in and out of your lungs.
If you have asthma, breathing in certain substances that you're sensitive to can trigger your airways to narrow. This makes it hard for air to flow in and out of your lungs.
Over a long period, breathing in cigarette smoke or air pollutants can damage the airways and the air sacs. This can lead to a condition called COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). COPD prevents proper airflow in and out of your lungs and can hinder gas exchange in the air sacs.
An important step to breathing is the movement of your diaphragm and other muscles in your chest, neck, and abdomen. This movement lets you inhale and exhale. Nerves that run from your brain to these muscles control their movement. Damage to these nerves in your upper spinal cord can cause breathing to stop, unless a machine is used to help you breathe. (This machine is called a ventilator or a respirator.)
A steady flow of blood in the small blood vessels that surround your air sacs is vital for gas exchange. Long periods of inactivity or surgery can cause a blood clot called a pulmonary embolism (PE) to block a lung artery. A PE can reduce or block the flow of blood in the small blood vessels and hinder gas exchange.

Lesbian Health

Lesbian Health

Remember

• The word "lesbian" is a word some women use to describe their sexual orientation.
• Even if you are in a same-sex relationship, you can still get STDs.
• Take your time and trust your inner feelings about when you should "come out".

If you are reading this guide, you may have questions about your own sexual orientation or about someone who is close to you. Having questions about your sexuality is perfectly normal, and taking the time to learn more is a great way to explore questions and address concerns you may have. After reading this we hope that most of your questions will be answered and you will have a better idea of the many resources available to gay teens. We have included a variety of resources at the end of this guide for help and support.

What is a lesbian?

A lesbian is a woman who is sexually attracted to other women and prefers to have a woman as her partner. The word "lesbian" is a term that some women use to describe themselves and understand their sexual orientation; however, some women prefer to use other terms like "gay" or "queer" and some prefer not to use a label at all.

How do I know if I am a lesbian?

Having one or two sexual experiences with another woman does not necessarily mean you are a lesbian; nor does having a "crush" on someone of the same sex. Many gay people have had sexual experiences with someone of the opposite sex, just as many straight people have had experiences with someone of the same sex. It's okay to be unsure whether you are gay or straight, and it's okay to take your time in finding out. Your sexual "orientation" will develop over time. What is most important is that you listen to your feelings—you don't need to label yourself.

What does it mean to be bisexual?

Bisexual is the term used to describe people who have sexual and romantic feelings for both men and women. A bisexual can be more attracted to one gender than the other, or he/she can be equally attracted to both. Some gay and lesbian people, (when they first acknowledge their own feelings), may say that they are bisexual, and later describe themselves as a gay man or a lesbian. However, there are also a lot of people who are attracted to both men and women.

If I am not having sex with men, why do I need to see a doctor?

It is a common but completely untrue belief that lesbians do not need gynecologic care. Many lesbians feel they are at a low risk for getting STDs because they are not having sex with men. Routine physicals, Pap smears, and (if you are sexually active with men, women, or both men and women) STD counseling and testing are very important. Don't assume that just because you are in a same-sex relationship you are not at risk. Continue to see a health care provider for checkups.

Am I at risk for STDs even if I have sex only with women?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infections that are typically passed through sexual, and sometimes nonsexual, contact with an infected person. Anyone can become infected. STDs can be passed from woman to woman even if neither one has ever had sex with a man. STDs are spread through contact with infected body fluids, such as blood (including menstrual blood), vaginal fluids, semen and discharge from a sore caused by an STD. They can also be spread through contact with infected skin or mucous membranes, and through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Whether you are gay or straight, it is important to always practice safer sex to lower your chances of getting a STD.

How do I lower my risk of getting a STD?

There are ways to be close to another woman that lowers your chances of getting a STD. Some ways to connect with another person and have safe sex could include: hugging, (dry) kissing, masturbation/mutual masturbation, and giving each other a massage. If you're going to be in contact with your partner's vaginal fluids, be sure to protect yourself by using an oral barrier, such as a "dental dam." Oral barriers are protective materials made of latex or very thin plastic. They are used to cover a part of the body and prevent contact with body fluids that could be infected with a STD.

Ways to lower your risks:

• Use an oral barrier, "dental dam" or cut a condom or a latex glove into a square piece of latex. Hold the square piece of latex firmly with your fingers and stretch it over your partner's vulva to prevent direct contact with bodily fluids.
• Latex gloves, condoms or finger sheaths can protect against transmission of STDs through sores or cuts/hangnails on fingers when having finger play or digital penetration.

You may want to ask your healthcare provider about where to find dental dams. For more information on sexually transmitted diseases, visit our STD guides and our guide to Making Healthy Sexual Decisions.

How can I find a health care provider who will help and support me?

For your primary care provider to provide the best care, it is important that he or she know about the people and the issues in your life. You should feel safe and comfortable enough with your health care provider to be completely honest about your sexuality, and to ask any questions that you may have.

You may feel comfortable speaking to your current health care provider about your sexual identity, or you may want to look for a new primary care provider.

You can:

• Ask trusted family members and friends for recommendations of health care providers (HCP’s) who may be especially sensitive to your needs.
• Meet with a few HCP’s to see who you are the most comfortable with.
• Look at online databases such as the GLMA Physician Reference Program to find a health care provider in your area that is particularly sensitive to the needs of gay/lesbian teens.

Finding a health care provider with whom you can talk honestly, and openly ask questions is an important way to get the support you need and deserve.

Where can I go for support and additional information?

There are many people who are willing to help and support you. If you have not had the chance to talk about your feelings with anyone, think about a person with whom you feel comfortable and can trust. It is possible that not everyone you meet will be accepting of your sexual orientation, and you may face some prejudice and discrimination. So trust your own feelings about who to reach out to for support. It is important to use your own instincts and judgment. The person that you choose to talk with could be a:

• Parent
• Doctor or nurse
• Family member
• School counselor
• Trusted friend
• Teacher
• Clergy member

Sharing your feelings with someone who is willing to listen is very important. If there is no one in your life that you can trust, there are plenty of resources available that will tell you where you can go to meet people and discuss your feelings.

Gay/Straight Alliances
Many schools have Gay/Straight Alliances, GLBT(Gay, Lesbian,Bi-sexual, Transgender) networks or other groups where you will be able to meet students and teachers willing to listen and share their own experiences. Gay/StraightAlliances and GLBT newtorks are also support groups that work to help reduce anti-gay violence, harassment, and discrimination. They do this by providing information about homophobia (fear and prejudice against lesbian, gay and bisexual people) to the school community and by encouraging open and honest discussions to increase understanding within the school. These groups are usually led by students (with teachers acting as advisors) and are open to all students. If your school does not have a Gay/Straight Alliance, you may want to talk to a trusted teacher about the possibility of starting one. Organizations such as GLSEN can be a great resource and provide you with information on how to start a GSA in your school.

Guidance Counselors
Consider talking to a guidance or health counselor at your school and asking him or her for information about resources in your area.

Other Resources
Look on the Internet, in the phone book, or perhaps even in your local newspaper for organizations and groups where you can meet and find support from other gay teens, adults, parents of gay teens. Be sure to look for groups that are run by trained counselors. Although it is tempting to meet with someone online that you feel you have connected with, it can be very dangerous. In fact it's REALLY hard to tell if someone is telling the truth online. People can make up the information or misrepresent themselves and stalk young women on the Internet whether they are lesbian, straight, or bisexual. Bottom line is that some people who use the Internet are not trustworthy and could hurt you.  

What should I tell my parents and other family members?

Coming out to your family is often very scary and an incredibly brave thing to do. Make sure you are ready. Not everyone may be willing to accept your homosexuality at first. However, hiding your sexual orientation keeps the important people in your life from knowing an important part of who you are. This can make you feel lonely and isolated. Take your time in deciding if and when you want to come out. You should not feel at all pressured to tell anyone until you are ready. Some gay teens say that after they came out, they became much closer to their families—that it was a relief not to be keeping a secret any longer. But some teens know that their parents or other familiy members are not ready to hear about their sexual orientation and worry about being treated unfairly. Be as open and honest with your parents as you feel comfortable being.

If you do choose to come out to your parents and other family members, try to have a support system (of trusted friends and adults like a teacher or counselor) in place. Some teens find it helpful to practice what they are going to say when coming out to family. Others find it helpful to write letters explaining their sexuality followed by a face-to-face conversation. Afterwards be sure to plan for some time with your “support team” to discuss your family’s reactions.

Where can my parents find information and support?

Learning about your sexual identity may be both confusing and concerning for your parents. After you tell them, be prepared that your parents will need some time to accept what you have shared. The best thing that you can do is offer them honest answers, resources and people they can talk to. The more homework you've done, the more self-assured you'll seem which will help your parents realize that you are ready to take responsibility for yourself.

There are lots of support groups, books, and web sites that can help your parents understand what it means to have a gay child. Encourage them to find a local PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) Chapter, where they can meet other parents of gay youth,and receive information and support.

What should I tell my friends?

Coming out to your friends may raise concerns that feel different than when you talked to your family. It is normal to want to be accepted for who you are by your friends and other peer groups. It is also true that in middle school and high school in particular, it is sometimes difficult to feel like you “fit in”, whether you are gay, straight or bisexual. What helps is to try and surround yourself with friends whom you know are accepting of your sexual orientation. Some of your friends may already know but others may be surprised. Being honest and open and knowing about available resources will go a long way in communicating with your friends.

Please remember that you are not alone. There are many 24-hour hotlines available to answer questions, give you information, and just listen to your thoughts and concerns. It is very difficult and very brave to come out as a bisexual or a lesbian. Take your time, trust your inner feelings, and never be afraid to reach out and ask for help and support.

Additional Resources

Books for Teens:

Bauer, Marianne Dane, ed. Am I Blue? Coming Out from the Silence. New York: Harper Collins, 1994.

Chandler, Kurt. Passages of Pride: Lesbian and Gay Youth Come of Age. New York: Times Books/Random House, 1995.

Cohen, Susan and David. When Someone You Know is Gay. New York: Dell, 1992.

Garden, Nancy. Annie On My Mind. New York: Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1982.

Herdt, Gilbert. Children of Horizons: How Gay and Lesbian Teens are Leading a New Way Out of the Closet. Boston: Beacon Press, 1993.

Heron, Ann. Two Teenagers in Twenty: Writings by Gay and Lesbian Youth. Boston: Alyson Publications, 1994.

Mastoon, Adam. The Shared Heart: Portraits and Stories Celebrating Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Young People. New York: William Morrow and Company, 1997.

Moore, Lisa, ed. Does Your Mama Know? An Anthology of Black Lesbian Coming Out Stories. Austin, TX: RedBone Press, 1997.

Pollack, Rachel. The Journey Out: a Guide For and About Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual Teens. New York: Viking, 1995.

Rench, Janice E. Understanding Sexual Identity: A Book for Gay and Lesbian Teens. Minneapolis: Lerner, 1990.

White, Jocelyn C. and Marissa C. Martinez. The Lesbian Health Book: Caring for Ourselves. New York: Seal Press, 1997.

Online Resources for Teens:

BAGLY, Inc. (Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Youth)

Gay Health Site

GLMA Physician Referral Program

LGBTQ Health Issues

National Youth Advocacy Coalition

Oasis

OutProud

YouthResource

Hotlines for Teens:

Gay & Lesbian National Hotline

1-888-843-4564

!OUTPROUD! The National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Youth

1-415-460-5452

Out Youth Helpline

1-800-969-6884

Teen Council

1-202-347-5700

Books for Parents:

Bernstein, Robert A. Straight Parents Gay Children: Inspiring Families to Live Honestly. New York: Avalon, 1999.

Fairchild, Betty and Nancy Hayward. Now That You Know: A Parents' Guide to Understanding their Gay and Lesbian Children. New York: Harcourt Brace and Company, 1998.

Griffin, Carolyn Welch and Marian J. Wirth. Beyond Acceptance: Parents Of Lesbians and Gays Talk About Their Experiences. New York: Saint Martin's Press, 1997.

Marcus, Eric. Is it a Choice? San Fransisco: HarperSanFransisco, 1993.

Switzer, David K. Coming out as Parents: You and Your Homosexual Child. New York: Westminster John Knox Press, 1996.

Online Resources for Parents:

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

Hotlines for Parents:

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gays (PFLAG)

1-800-322-2020

Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States

1-212-819-9770

Written by the CYWH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

Updated: 9/24/2009

Getting fit before pregnancy

Get ready for pregnancy

• Having a healthy baby someday starts well before pregnancy.
• You and your partner should start making healthy choices now.
• Eating right and getting fit are some ways to get healthy.

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• In depth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting fit before pregnancy

If you're thinking about pregnancy, or if you're just interested in leading a healthier lifestyle, it's important to include physical activity in your daily routine. Many women know that regular physically activity is very important for keeping good health and maintaining a healthy weight. Now, more research is showing that the healthier a woman is before pregnancy, the better her chances are to have a healthy baby someday.
For example, a woman who is at a healthy weight before pregnancy is less likely to have serious complications during pregnancy, like high blood pressure or diabetes, or during childbirth. Her baby is also less likely to be born preterm, have birth defects, or face childhood obesity, which is a growing problem in the United States.
Benefits of physical activity
Physical activity is any form of exercise or movement of the body that uses energy. Having an active lifestyle can help all women be healthy. Regular physical activity can lower your risk of:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• High blood pressure
• Breast or colon cancer
• Type 2 diabetes (often related to being overweight)
• Osteoarthritis (most common form of arthritis)
• Osteoporosis (weakens bones and affects many women)

Physical activity can also:

• Improve a person's mood
• Reduce feelings of mild or moderate depression
• Help with managing stress
• Help with managing weight
• Help with quitting smoking
• Help with sleeping better
• Increase energy throughout the day

Know your body
Physical activity, along with a well-balanced diet, can also help an overweight person to lose weight. To find out if you are overweight, you'll need to know your height and weight. You then can calculate your body mass index (BMI). BMI helps to determine if your weight is appropriate for your height.
Not only is lowering your body fat important to your health, but it also matters where you carry the fat on your body. Women with a "pear" shape tend to store fat in their hips and buttocks. Women with an "apple" shape tend to store fat around their waists.
Women with an "apple" shape are more likely to develop health problems related to being overweight than women with a "pear" shape. For women, a waist size of more than 35 inches increases the risk of heart disease.
Kinds of physical activity
Aerobic activities
There are two kinds of aerobic activities: moderate and vigorous. Moderate activities increase your heart rate, but you can continue doing them while carrying on a conversation with little trouble. Moderate activities include:

• Walking briskly 
• Biking slowly or on a flat surface
• Doing water aerobics
• Dancing (ballroom or line)
• Playing sports in which you catch and throw a ball (baseball, softball, volleyball)

Vigorous activities also increase your heart rate, but it's harder to carry on a conversation while doing them because you're breathing heavier. Vigorous activities include:

• Jogging or running
• Biking faster than 10 miles per hour or uphill
• Fast swimming or lap swimming
• Aerobic or fast dancing
• Sports with a lot of running (basketball, hockey, soccer)

Strength-training activities: Strength-training activities help build muscles by improving their strength and ability. These activities include:

• Push-ups
• Sit-ups
• Weight lifting
• Working with weight machines
• Working with resistance bands (giant rubber bands made especially for exercising)

Stretching activities: To improve flexibility and movement in your everyday life, stretching can be a big help. Moving more freely makes it easier to reach down and tie your shoes or look over your shoulder when driving your car in reverse.
Stretch after your muscles are warmed up (for example, after strength training). Stretching your muscles before they are warmed up may cause injury. Stretching activities include:

• Yoga
• Pilates
• Basic body stretches (reaching up above your head or reaching down to touch your toes)

Amount of physical activity
Aerobics: In 2008, the Department of Health and Human Services updated its guidelines for physical activity. It recommends that all adults get at least 2 ½ hours each week of aerobic physical activity. This activity should be at least moderately intense.
You can break up the 2 ½ hours up however you like. But it’s best if you do this type of activity for at least 10 minutes at a time.
For example, you can do 30 minutes of moderate physical activity 5 or more days a week. Another option is to do 50 minutes of moderate activity on 3 or more days a week.
You can also replace some or all of your moderate activity with vigorous activity. In general, 15 minutes of vigorous activity provides the same benefits as 30 minutes of moderate activity. So vigorous activity gets you similar health benefits in half the time that moderate activities take.
Strengthening: In addition, all adults should do strengthening activities at least 2 days a week. You can do these exercises on the days between your aerobic workouts. Focus on strengthening the muscles in your legs, hips, back, chest, stomach, shoulders and arms.
In each strength-training session, aim for 8 to 10 different activities that will work out the different muscle groups in your body. Repeat exercises for each muscle group 8-12 times per session.
Cost
You don't need to spend a lot of money to get the physical activity you need. For aerobic activity, take a walk or jog around your neighborhood. If you need to be indoors because of weather conditions or safety concerns, try exercising to a workout video. You can also contact your local recreation center or house of worship to see if they have indoor activity programs that you can join.
For strength training, try using things around the house. Homemade weights, like plastic soft-drink bottles filled with water or sand, or a couple of soup cans, can help you strengthen your muscles. You can also use your own body weight by doing activities such as push-ups, pull-ups or sit-ups.
Special challenges
If you've never been active or haven't been in a long time, it's important to start slowly. Begin your physical activity program with short sessions of 5 to 10 minutes and build up to your goal.
If you're a larger woman, don’t be afraid to get started. You may face special challenges in trying to be physically active, but you can work hard to overcome them. You may not be able to bend or move in the same way as others. You may even feel a little self-conscious. But don’t give up. Try doing activities such as swimming or exercising while seated. They put less stress on your joints because your legs are not supporting the whole weight of your body. Ask your health provider for help in coming up with a physical activity plan that is right for you.
If you have a disability, it may be harder to stay active, but don't let that stop you. In most cases, people with disabilities can improve their flexibility, mobility and coordination by becoming physically active. Being active can help you stay independent. It can help prevent illnesses, such as heart disease, that can make it hard for you to care for yourself. Work with your health provider to develop a physical activity plan that is right for you.
Talk to your health provider
You should talk to your health provider before you begin any physical activity program if you:

• Are pregnant
• Have heart disease or are at high risk of developing this illness
• Have diabetes or are at high risk for this disease
• Are obese (BMI of 30 or greater)
• Have an injury or disability
• Have a bleeding or detached retina
• Had recent eye surgery or laser treatment on your eye
• Had recent hip surgery
• Had a stroke or are at high risk of developing this condition

Physical activity tips

• Pick activities that you like to do.
• Mix it up. Try different activities so you don't get bored or lose motivation.
• Spread aerobic activity out over at least 3 days a week.
• Team up with your partner or a friend to help keep you motivated.
• Track your time and progress to help you stay on course.
• Once you’ve gotten into a groove, replace some moderate aerobic activities with vigorous activities. Try jogging for 15 minutes instead of walking for 30 minutes.

Sneak in mini-workouts whenever you can

• If you have kids, make time to play with them outside.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
• Park your car further away from the office and walk. Get off the bus or train a couple of stops earlier and walk.
• Go dancing with your partner or friends.
• If you're going on vacation, take a walking tour or do your site-seeing on foot.

Stay safe while active

• Warm up before doing any activity. Try jogging in place for a few minutes to loosen muscles.
• Go at your own pace. Start slowly and work your way up to longer and more challenging workouts.
• Learn about the types and amounts of activity that are appropriate for your fitness level.
• Use the right safety gear and sports equipment.
• Choose a safe place to do your activity.
• Stop physical activity if you feel faint, dizzy, nauseous, pain in your chest or have trouble breathing. Talk to a health care provider to make sure you’re in good health.

Preconception Care Questions and Answers: General Public

1. What is preconception health?
2. What is preconception health care?
3. Why are there new recommendations on preconception health and health care now?
4. Does preconception health apply to women who do not plan to get pregnant?
5. How long before becoming pregnant should a woman start preparing for pregnancy? What are the five most important things she should do before pregnancy for her and her baby’s health?
6. The new recommendations say that everyone should have a reproductive life plan. What does this really mean?
7. What can men do to support the preconception health of their female partners and their future babies?
8. What is the role of community groups in promoting preconception health?
9. What should my health care provider be doing about preconception care at my regular visits?

1. What is preconception health?
Preconception health is a woman’s health before she becomes pregnant. It focuses on the conditions and risk factors that could affect a woman if she becomes pregnant. Preconception health applies to women who have never been pregnant, and also to women who could become pregnant again. Preconception health looks at factors that can affect a fetus or infant. These include factors such as taking prescription drugs or drinking alcohol. The key to promoting preconception health is to combine the best medical care, healthy behaviors, strong support, and safe environments at home and at work.


2. What is preconception health care?
Preconception health care is care given to a woman before pregnancy to manage conditions and behaviors which could be a risk to her or her baby. There are many topics covered under preconception care.

• Folic acid supplements to prevent neural tube defects.
  
• Rubella vaccinations to prevent Congenital Rubella Syndrome.
  
• Detecting and treating existing health conditions to prevent complications in the mother, and reduce the risk of birth defects:
  
  • Diabetes
    
  • Hypothyroidism
    
  • HIV/AIDS
    
  • Hepatitis B
    
  • PKU
    
  • Hypertension
    
  • Blood diseases
    
  • Eating disorders
    
• Reviewing medications that can affect the fetus or the mother, such as epilepsy medicine, blood thinners, and some medicines used to treat acne, such as Accutane.
  
• Reviewing a woman’s pregnancy history – has she lost a baby before?
  
• Stopping smoking to reduce the risk of low birth weight
  
• Eliminating alcohol consumption to prevent Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and other complications.
  
• Family planning counseling to avoid unplanned pregnancies.
  
• Counseling to promote healthy behaviors such as appropriate weight, nutrition, exercise, oral health. Counseling can help a woman avoid substance abuse and toxic substances. It can help women and couples understand genetic risks, mental health issues (such as depression), and intimate partner domestic violence.
  

Good preconception health care is about managing current health conditions. By taking action on health issues BEFORE pregnancy, future problems for the mother and baby can be prevented. Preconception health care must be tailored to each individual woman. It means helping women and their partners reduce risks and get ongoing care. Men and other family members are also very important in supporting the goals of preconception health.


3. Why are there new recommendations on preconception health and health care now?

There have been important advances in medicine and prenatal care in recent years. Despite these advances, birth outcomes are worse in the United States than in other developed countries. Many babies are born prematurely or have low birthweight. In some groups of people, the problems are actually getting worse.
Experts agree that women need to be healthier before becoming pregnant. While this is not a new idea, there has not been an organized effort to promote preconception health and health care until now. The recommendations shown here have been developed by local, state, and federal government agencies, with help from national medical organizations and groups such as the March of Dimes. They offer guidance to individuals and their families, health care providers, planners, and policy makers. The goal is to improve the health of women so that babies can be born healthier in the future.

4. Does preconception health apply to women who do not plan to get pregnant?

Absolutely. Every woman should be thinking about her health, whether or not she wants to get pregnant. Some of the basic recommendations for preconception health include healthy weight and nutrition, and identifying and managing existing conditions and infections. All women should quit smoking and avoid other harmful substances. These are important health goals for everyone, not just women planning to get pregnant.
Since over half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, women who might be sexually active with male partners should consider their health. As they might not know they are pregnant, women need to avoid risks, such as using medications that could harm a fetus, whenever possible.
CDC recommends that men and women think about a reproductive life plan. This means deciding the ideal time and conditions for having children and learning how to achieve these goals. This can include effective contraception. (See Question 6 below) Women’s lives are rich and complex, and the possibility of pregnancy is only one factor affecting women’s health choices. The more that women know about the health care relevant to their own circumstances, the more empowered they are to make the right choices for their lives.


5. How long before becoming pregnant should a woman start preparing for pregnancy? What are the five most important things she should do before pregnancy for her and her baby’s health?

Every man and woman should prepare for pregnancy before becoming sexually active, or at least three months before conception. Women should begin some of the recommendations even sooner – such as quitting smoking, reaching healthy weight, and adjusting medications. Planning for pregnancy is also a good time to talk about other concerns. Issues such as intimate partner domestic violence, mental health, and previous pregnancy problems need to be discussed. Although men and women can do much on their own, a health care provider is necessary for finding and treating existing health problems. They can also help a woman improve her health before pregnancy.
The five most important things a woman can do for preconception health are:

1. Take 400 mcg of folic acid a day for at least 3 months before becoming pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects.
   
2. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
   
3. If you currently have a medical condition, be sure these conditions are under control. Conditions include but are not limited to asthma, diabetes, oral health, obesity, or epilepsy. Be sure that your vaccinations are up to date.
   
4. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about any over the counter and prescription medicines you are taking, including vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements, you are taking.
   
5. Avoid exposures to toxic substances or potentially infectious materials at work or at home, such as chemicals, or cat and rodent feces.
   

6. The new recommendations say that everyone should have a reproductive life plan. What does this really mean?

A reproductive life plan is a set of personal goals about having (or not having) children. It also states how to achieve those goals. Everyone needs to make a reproductive plan based on personal values and resources. Here are some examples:

• “I’m not ready to have children now. I’ll make sure I don’t get pregnant. Either I won’t have heterosexual sex, or I’ll correctly use effective contraception.”
  
• “I’ll want to have children when my relationship feels secure and I’ve saved enough money. I won’t become pregnant until then. After that, I’ll visit my doctor to discuss preconception health. I’ll try to get pregnant when I’m in good health.”
  
• “I’d like to be a father after I finish school and have a job to support a family. While I work toward those goals, I’ll talk to my wife about her goals for starting a family. I’ll make sure we correctly use an effective method of contraception every time we have sex until we’re ready to have a baby.”
  
• “I’d like to have two children, and space my pregnancies by at least two years. I’ll visit my certified nurse midwife to discuss preconception health now. I’ll start trying to get pregnant as soon as I’m healthy. Once I have a baby, I’ll get advice from a health professional on birth control. I don’t want to have a second baby before I’m ready.”
  
• “I will let pregnancy happen whenever it happens. Because I don’t know when that will be, I’ll make sure I’m in optimal health for pregnancy at all times.”
  

There are many kinds of reproductive life plans. What’s important is that you think about when and under what conditions you want to become pregnant. Then make sure your actions support these goals. Health care providers and counselors can help you understand the clinical and lifestyle options that are best for you.


7. What can men do to support the preconception health of their female partners and their future babies?

Men can make a big difference in promoting good preconception health. As boyfriends, husbands, fathers-to-be, partners, and family members, they can learn how their loved ones can achieve optimal preconception health. They can encourage and support women in every aspect of preparing for pregnancy.
There are other ways men can help. Men who work with chemicals or other toxins need to be careful that they don’t expose women to them. For example, men who use fertilizers or pesticides in agricultural jobs should change out of dirty work clothes before coming near their female partners. They should handle and wash soiled clothes separately.
The family health histories of men are also important when planning a pregnancy. Understanding genetic risks from both sides enables providers to give more accurate advice. Screening for and treating STIs (sexually transmitted infections) in men can help make sure that the infections are not passed to female partners. Men can improve their own reproductive health by reducing stress, eating right, avoiding excessive alcohol use, not smoking, and talking to their health care providers about their own medications. It is also important for men who smoke to stop smoking around their partners, to avoid the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

8. What is the role of community groups in promoting preconception health?

Since preconception health affects so many women, community groups can help ensure that no one gets left out. They can learn about preconception health and make sure their members know. Also, because community groups are often trusted sources of support, they can be effective in encouraging healthy choices.
[Return to questions]

9. What should my health care provider be doing about preconception care at my regular visits?

Health care providers have a lot to cover during an appointment, so it’s always a good idea to make a list and bring up any issues on your mind. Do this even if the health care provider doesn’t ask about them. The first thing to discuss is your plan for pregnancy. If you tell your provider that you might become pregnant in the near future, there will be a number of things to discuss. You may need to schedule another visit to make sure everything gets covered.
Your health care provider should:

• Review your family’s medical history. This includes your previous experiences with pregnancy, fertility, birth, and use of birth control methods.
  
• Ask about your lifestyle, behaviors, and social support concerns that affect your health. Do you smoke, drink alcohol, use drugs, or have psychological problems, including depression? Do you have nutrition and diet issues? Concerns about health conditions in your or your partner’s family? Are there issues around intimate partner domestic violence? What are the medications you are taking? Are there chemicals, solvents, radiation, or other potential risks at your workplace or home that could harm you or your baby?
  
• Schedule health screening tests – Pap smear, urinalysis, blood tests. Your provider needs to know your blood type, Rh factor, and whether you have diabetes, hypertension, sexually transmitted infections, or other conditions.
  
• Review your immunization status and update them if needed.
  
• Perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam and a blood pressure check.
  

Based on your individual health, your health care provider will suggest a course of treatment or follow up care as needed.

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity:

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity:

Sexuality/Sexual Orientation	Mental Health Issues
Gender Identity
Homophobia/Transphobia

 Sexuality/Sexual Orientation

The word "sexuality" means different things to different people. Generally, it refers to an individual's personal experience of being attracted to other people and the body's sexual feelings and response to those people. There are lots of terms that are connected to sexuality such as sexual orientation, gender identity, bisexuality and more. Read on to learn more about yourself and others in your community.

What is sexual orientation?

Sexual orientation refers to the gender of a person who we become sexually attracted to. People who identify as "straight" or "heterosexual" will describe being attracted to people of the opposite gender. "Homosexuality" or "gay" orientation refers to people who have sexual attractions to members of their own gender. "Lesbian" refers specifically to women who identify as gay or homosexual. "Bisexual" refers to people who have sexual attractions to both genders, male or female. "Pansexual" is a relatively new term used by people who have sexual attractions to all people, regardless of their gender (people who may not express being fully male or fully female).

How do I know my sexual orientation?

It may take a different amount of time to understand ourselves and our attractions to others. For example, people who have repeated crushes and/or pleasurable body experiences with other people of the same gender, but have no crushes or pleasurable experiences with people of the opposite gender will ultimately report being "gay" or "lesbian". Having one or a few experiences with somebody of the same gender does not automatically make you gay or even bisexual. Sometimes it takes a long time to understand our bodies and how they react to other people.

When will I know my sexual orientation?

There is no official time that determines our sexual orientation. During adolescence, our brain starts to release certain hormones that help our bodies go through puberty and change. This happens over many years. At the same time, we may start developing crushes towards other people, which may lead to having a pleasurable sexual experience.

Is it OK to be gay or bisexual?

Yes. Although religions and cultures may have traditional beliefs that these types of feelings shouldn't be expressed in our behavior, current medical and psychiatric organizations have long taken the stance that being "gay", or "bisexual" is normal. Many gay and bisexual people are able to keep their religious values and cultural identity, yet feel comfortable to express their sexuality. There are also many religious figures in the community who are accepting of people of all sexual orientations.

Gender Identity

Gender identity is how strong a person's feeling is about being male or female, or possibly parts of both. Most people are comfortable with the feeling that they are one gender (male or female); however, not everybody falls into this category.

How do people express their gender identity?

Gender can be expressed in many ways: through our clothes, our speech, activities, hobbies, and our behaviors. It's ok for any of these things to change depending on what feels comfortable to us at the time.

What's the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation?

Many people confuse the two, but here is a simple way to understand the difference! Gender identity is more about "who you are" (boy, girl, or even possibly both types of feelings) and sexual orientation is about "who you have a crush on".

What does "transgender" mean?

Transgender people are people whose gender identity (feeling about which gender they are) doesn't match with their biologic gender (or sex). This means that their mind may tell them one thing, but their bodies tell them another. For example, a person born male feels that they are a female trapped in a boy's body. Transgender people feel strongly that their mind is right, and often desire to go through medical procedures to help change their body to the other gender.

What does gender-queer mean?

This is a term used by people who don't feel comfortable calling themselves male or female. They actually may feel comfortable with parts of both categories (or neither category). Some people who feel this way do not like to use male or female pronouns.

Is it ok to be transgender or gender-queer?

Absolutely. As with gay or bisexual people, some people with traditional beliefs may be uncomfortable with those who express these feelings, but professional medical and psychiatric organizations agree that it is better to express who you are, even if it makes other people a little uncomfortable.

Can I be both transgender and gay? What about transgender and straight?

Yes and yes. Being transgender is an individual thing, and it is about people whose mind and bodies tell them different things about which gender they are. However, those same people also have attractions to other people - some of them may be attracted to people with the same gender (as their mind tells them they are), and other transgender people may be attracted to people of the opposite gender (as their mind tells them they are). If you are confused by this, it's ok, because many other people are too!

Homophobia/Transphobia

What are homophobia and transphobia?

Homophobia is a term that describes negative feelings and attitudes towards lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. Transphobia is a similar term that describes negative feelings and attitudes towards transgender and gender-queer people.

What are some examples of homo/transphobia?

Negative feelings and attitudes about minorities (being gay or transgender) can be shown in different ways. Some ways are obvious and intentional, for example: direct insults, threats, bullying, physical harm or violence, and discrimination. Sometimes, homophobia isn't as obvious. Examples of these hidden forms of homophobia include: people who aren't comfortable around gay or transgender people, use of slurs/words in an unintentional way, avoiding discussions about gay issues due to feeling uncomfortable. All types of homophobic attitudes and behaviors can be hurtful and sometimes dangerous to gay or transgender people.

Why does homo/transphobia exist?

There is not an easy answer to this question! The best way to understand it is to realize that minority groups in the past have always made mainstream culture to feel uncomfortable. Other minorities such as women and racial ethnic groups are also discriminated against. Even though being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and/or gender-queer is common, these groups are still minorities. The good news is that people are becoming more comfortable with these issues, and hopefully homophobic and transphobic behaviors will decrease in the future.

 Mental Health Issues

Adolescence can be an exciting but also a challenging time for everybody, since it is a period when bodies change, schoolwork is more difficult, and friends and families might not understand your feelings and thoughts. Sometimes adolescents feel more anxious, depressed, or even suicidal. Other times, adolescents can turn to risky behaviors like drugs or alcohol or sex. Gay, lesbian, transgender and gender-queer youth experience the same mental health issues as other adolescents. However, they may also be feeling lonely and might not share their feelings about sexual orientation or gender identity because they fear people will reject them. Having this extra burden can cause these adolescents to have a higher risk for these serious mental health issues.

What do I do if I feel suicidal?

Stay safe and do not make an impulsive dangerous decision! The most important thing to do would be to find someone supportive who you know. You don't have to share all the details right away, although it might help. If you can't think of anyone supportive, try calling a hotline  or even 911 so you can talk to a mental health professional, or go to the closest emergency room.

Who should I tell about my sexual orientation and/or gender identity?

Not everyone is going to be accepting of homosexual, bisexual, and/or transgender identities. Deciding who to tell can be a difficult decision. You may choose to share it with everyone you know or just a few close personal friends. It's important to find at least one supportive person you trust to tell so you don't have to carry the heavy burden of a secret alone. If you can't think of any supportive person in your life, you should contact a mental health professional or one of the professional online resources so you won't feel alone with these feelings. Don't pick random unknown websites for support.

Will my therapist force me to tell my parents, family, and/or friends about these feelings?

No. Therapists or mental health professionals are trained to maintain strict confidentiality with your sexual feelings and behaviors as well as gender identity questions. However, at your first appointment make sure to discuss confidentiality and how and if information is shared with parents or others.

Will my therapist tell my parents about my sexual orientation and/or gender identity issues?

In general, no. Therapists are always concerned about your health and safety so they will break your confidentiality in the event that your actions/thoughts might lead to an unsafe situation for you or others. Even then, they would only discuss the details needed to get you the services you need. An ongoing conversation with your therapist about confidentiality is important.

Where can I get support?

This is an individual decision for every person. The most important issue is to find someone who you think will be accepting of you regardless of your sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

This may include:

• An accepting friend
• An accepting parent
• Someone who you know who is bisexual or gay
• An accepting guidance counselor
• A Gay-Straight Alliance in school
• An accepting school teacher
• Health care provider
• LGBT support organization

If there is nobody who you think will be supportive of your thoughts and feelings, you don't have to be alone. Usually, a mental health professional can help you figure out who might be a good support system.

"I can't think of a single person who will be supportive of these feelings." What are some trusted online resources I can turn to?

There are plenty of online professional resources and hotlines for the many adolescents who have similar thoughts and feelings. Here are just a few.

"I have a friend who just told me about having gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or gender-queer thoughts. How can I help them?"

Even if you are uncomfortable with your own feelings about these subjects, let them know that you will support them and be there for them no matter what. Anybody who is willing to share private feelings and thoughts with you, probably trusts you as a close friend and support. Advise them to talk with their health care provider or start seeing a therapist so they don't have to feel alone.

"I have a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or gender-queer friend who just told me about having suicidal or dangerous thoughts. How can I help them?"

Again, let that friend know that they don't have to be alone. Find out if they are with someone who can support them. Let them know that you won't break their secret about their sexual orientation or gender identity feelings but that you still have to let someone know about their unsafe feelings. Then, stay with your friend and right away let a supportive adult know, call a hotline, or even 911 to make sure your friend stays safe!

CDC Report Finds Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Students At Greater Risk for Unhealthy, Unsafe Behaviors

CDC Report Finds Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Students At Greater Risk for Unhealthy, Unsafe Behaviors

Students who report being gay, lesbian or bisexual and students who report having sexual contact only with persons of the same sex or both sexes are more likely than heterosexual students and students who report having sexual contact only with the opposite sex to engage in unhealthy risk behaviors such as tobacco use, alcohol and other drug use, sexual risk behaviors, suicidal behaviors, and violence, according to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"This report should be a wake-up call for families, schools and communities that we need to do a much better job of supporting these young people. Any effort to promote adolescent health and safety must take into account the additional stressors these youth experience because of their sexual orientation, such as stigma, discrimination, and victimization," said Howell Wechsler, Ed.D, M.P.H, director of CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH). "We are very concerned that these students face such dramatic disparities for so many different health risks."
This report represents the first time that the federal government has conducted an analysis of this magnitude across a wide array of states, large urban school districts, and risk behaviors.
Researchers analyzed data from Youth Risk Behavior Surveys conducted during 2001–2009 in seven states—Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin—and six large urban school districts—Boston, Chicago, Milwaukee, New York City, San Diego, and San Francisco. These sites collected data on high school students' sexual identity (heterosexual, gay or lesbian, bisexual, or unsure), sex of sexual contacts (sexual contact with the opposite sex only, with the same sex only, or with both sexes), or both.
The study, "Sexual Identity, Sex of Sexual Contacts, and Health Risk Behaviors Among Students in Grades 9–12 in Selected Sites—Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, United States, 2001–2009," was published as a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Surveillance Summary. Findings across 76 health risks in the following 10 categories are highlighted:

• Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries (e.g., rarely or never wore a seat belt)
• Behaviors that contribute to violence (e.g., did not go to school because of safety concerns)
• Behaviors related to attempted suicide (e.g., made a suicide plan)
• Tobacco use (e.g., ever smoked cigarettes)
• Alcohol use (e.g., binge drinking)
• Other drug use (e.g., current marijuana use)
• Sexual behaviors (e.g., condom use)
• Dietary behaviors (e.g., ate vegetables 3 or more times per day)
• Physical activity and sedentary behaviors (e.g., physically active at least 60 minutes per day for 7 days)
• Weight management (e.g., did not eat for 24 hours or more to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight)

Across the sites that assessed sexual identity, gay or lesbian students had higher prevalence rates for 49 percent to 90 percent of all health risks measured. Specifically, gay or lesbian students had higher rates for seven of the 10 health risk categories (behaviors that contribute to violence, behaviors related to attempted suicide, tobacco use, alcohol use, other drug use, sexual behaviors, and weight management).
Similarly, bisexual students had higher prevalence rates for 57 percent to 86 percent of all health risks measured. They also had higher rates for eight of the 10 health risk categories (behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries, behaviors that contribute to violence, behaviors related to attempted suicide, tobacco use, alcohol use, other drug use, sexual behaviors, and weight management).
"For youth to thrive in their schools and communities, they need to feel socially, emotionally, and physically safe and supported," said Laura Kann, Ph.D., chief, Surveillance and Evaluation Research Branch, DASH. "Schools and communities should take concrete steps to promote healthy environments for all students, such as prohibiting violence and bullying, creating safe spaces where young people can receive support from caring adults, and improving health education and health services to meet the needs of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth."
National, state, and local YRBSs are conducted every two years among high school students throughout the United States. These surveys monitor health risk behaviors, including unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. These surveys also monitor the prevalence of obesity and asthma. Interested states and large urban school districts may add questions to measure sexual identity and the sex of sexual contacts.