LIHU‘E — Women have unique health needs at every stage of life, and keeping women healthy is a priority for Kaua‘i County, according to a mayoral proclamation this week. “We don’t take this lightly,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in
LIHU‘E — Women have unique health needs at every stage of life, and keeping women healthy is a priority for Kaua‘i County, according to a mayoral proclamation this week.
“We don’t take this lightly,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. in presenting the proclamation announcing September as Women’s Health Month. “This is women we’re talking about, and the influence of women extends into many areas including our workplaces, families and communities.”
Keeping women healthy depends on strong partnerships with social, health, government and other services, the proclamation states.
Regina Carvalho, the mayor’s wife, joined other members of the Committee on the Status of Women in accepting the proclamation that announces the first annual observance of Women’s Health Month.
Themed Wahine Wellness for a Stronger Hawai‘i, a special event presented by the Committee on the Status of Women will feature three films at the Waimea Theater starting at 1 p.m., Sept. 26.
“My Left Breast,” a film by Gerry Rogers, “Aging — ‘Acting our Age,’” a film by Michal Aviad, and “What’s aloha got to do with it?” will be the films featured.
During the afternoon, guest speakers will be available for questions and answers between each film, a flier for the event states.
Each September, communities throughout the state observe Women’s Health Month to encourage and empower women to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Health is more than the absence of disease — it is a state of total wellness that encompasses physical, mental, emotional and social well-being, the proclamation states.
The Sept. 26 event aims to raise the public’s awareness of women’s health issues, empower women to be their own health advocates, reduce healthcare disparities throughout the state and promote the total well-being of women.
Throughout September, hundreds of events will be sponsored across the state as well as here on Kaua‘i by numerous organizations to provide the public with vital information on a variety of health topics, states the proclamation.
The Committee on the Status of Women event comes the day after a wellness and health fair being sponsored by the county’s anti-drug office at the Pi‘ikoi Building and the breezeway at the Lihu‘e Civic Center.
That Sept. 25 event coincides with September being recognized as Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery month.
Another health-related event, the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, takes place Sept. 26 at Kukui Grove Center to help raise awareness about the disease.
“On Kaua‘i, we have about 1,500 people who suffer from Alzheimer’s,” Jill Ramsey, the outreach coordinator here, said in a release from the Kaua‘i Division of the Aloha Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “We’ve estimated that for about $100, a person can be helped with education, money towards research, and support for family caregivers.”
The goal of the Memory Walk is to have each walker raise at least $100 toward an overall goal of $15,000.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
