Lyster hosts event focused on women's health

By Jenny Stripling, Lyster Public Affairs OfficerMay 7, 2015

Lyster recognizes National Women's Health Week
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Lyster Army Health Clinic will host a women's health event Monday, May 11 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Lifespace Center area.

The event is part of National Women's Health Week, May 10 through 16.

"National Women's Health Week serves as a time to help women understand what steps they can take to improve their health," said Alexa Manley, clinical nurse OIC at Lyster. "The goal is to empower women to make their health a priority. Women typically take charge of the family's health and may have a tendency to neglect their own."

Lyster's after-hours event makes it easier for women to attend who may not usually be able to make an appointment during daytime hours. The free event offers several activities that encompass nutrition, relaxation and physical activity such as energetic Zumba classes, free reflexology and massage, nutritional demonstrations and body composite testing.

Women attending the event will receive a giveaway bag and be entered into door prize drawings. In addition to the fun, appointments can be made for essential health check-ups including mammograms, Pap tests and well-woman appointments. The Southeast Sun Mammogram bus will be on-site helping with check-ups. Well-woman appointments will be available from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and mammograms from 2:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. the day of the event.

What is a well-woman appointment and why is it important? According to Lyster Population Health Nurse, Julee Wood, a well-woman visit is simply put, a checkup.

"It's a time to see your doctor or nurse to discuss family history, family planning, and personal habits, such as alcohol and tobacco use," said Wood. "During a well-woman visit you can receive or schedule necessary tests, such as screenings for blood pressure and cholesterol or learn about ways to maintain a healthy weight."

Wood said that well-woman visits are recommended annually but the Pap test screening will only be performed every three years for women ages 21 to 29 and every five years for women ages 30 to 65 in conjunction with HPV testing as a rule of thumb.

According to Wood, there are currently about 967 Lyster women beneficiaries overdue for a Pap test and they are encouraged to take advantage of this event on May 11 to schedule their exam.

For more information on the event or to schedule a check-up time for the day of the event, please call the Lyster Population Health Department at 255-7913 or 255-7715.

More information on National Women's Health Week can be found at www.womenshealth.gov/nwhw.