Women learn simple exercises they can do at home by April Wood, YMCA trainer.

The men of Tennessee aren’t the only ones bringing home failing grades. Two days after the men’s report card was released at the end of September, attention turned toward the dismal state of health for Tennessee women.

The state’s women received a very similar report card last fall when they were graded on a variety of health factors ranging from reproductive and sexual health to modifiable risk behaviors. The “2009 Women’s Health Report Card” gave Tennessee women a “D” or “F” in almost every indicator including obesity, diabetes, smoking, lack of physical activity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, prenatal care and sexually transmitted diseases.

On Sept. 29, All About Women (AAW), a non-profit organization created to remove barriers that prevent women from taking care of themselves, used National Women’s Health & Fitness Day to debut a new online resource for women looking for ways to improve their overall health. State Health Commissioner Susan Cooper, RN, MSN, and other area women gathered at Bicentennial Park to reiterate the work that must be done to improve women’s health statistics and talk about options to get fit for women on a tight budget.

The new online resource, www.AllAboutWomen.org, offers simple, no-cost ways for women to improve their health. All About Women is known locally for large-scale, free, one-day events offering women a number of health resources from preventative screenings to budget workshops. The new online resource has created a ‘virtual event’ providing women access around the clock to health experts and resources. There is also an interactive forum where women are encouraged to share ideas. AAW organizers said the impetus behind the site is to help women improve their health and revitalize their lives without opening their wallets. With the weak economy, cost is a barrier to good health for an increasing number of women.

“The same programming women find at our popular events that have touched 65,000 women across the state are now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Susan Short Jones, AAW board chair, said of the site.

During the National Women’s Health & Fitness Day event, attendees learned ways to keep fit without spending much money. Angela Morris of the performance troupe “The Spinderellas” showed women how to use hula hoops to exercise at home. April Wood, a certified fitness trainer at the Downtown YMCA, led women on a walk around Bicentennial Park and taught basic stretching routines.

“While we’ve seen some improvement in women’s health in Tennessee over the past few years, our state is still behind the national average,” said Commissioner Cooper. “It is important for groups like GetitTN, All About Women and others to continue offering accessible solutions to help women change their lifestyle habits and take control of their health.”

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