Research on Women’s Wellbeing

It is a rare opportunity to get a perspective on health and wellbeing from a large population of women over a long period of time—but that’s exactly what we are able to do, thanks to the Nurses’ Health Study¹.

	Quit smoking when you’re 60, you still cut your risk of lung cancer in half.

In 1976, scientists at Harvard Medical School recognized that answers about women’s health could only come from extensive research carried out over decades. Researchers knew that registered nurses would likely be very conscientious in their participation. So for 32 years, we have had a rich, continuing analysis of data on everything from risk factors for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes to the benefits of lifestyle choices—all based on the real lives of 120,000 nurses across the country.

Our knowledge continues to evolve from this ongoing study, as does our counsel to women. The following are broader perspectives and practical guidance on health and wellness based on this study.

Make Healthy Lifestyle Choices

You hear it over and over again—healthy lifestyle choices can help you stay healthy and live longer. In fact, 80 percent of heart disease and diabetes cases, 70 percent of stroke cases, and 50 percent of cancer cases in women could be significantly delayed or prevented by leading healthier lives. Of course, 90 percent of lung cancer cases could be prevented by not smoking. Even if you quit smoking when you’re age 60, you can still cut your lifetime risk of lung cancer in half.

Be Responsible for Your Health

As members of the human race, we have a responsibility to help each other become healthier. We, in the United States, are not a healthy nation and that affects us all. Look for opportunities to help others:

• Promote health education.
• Set healthy examples at home and in your community.
• Advocate public policy changes such as smoke-free environments and removal of trans fats from food.

And follow practical, common sense behaviors of living well: no smoking; healthy diets high in fruits, veggies, whole grains, fiber, and fish; and keep saturated and trans fats and red meat to a minimum. More physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and not gaining substantial weight as you age is the second half of that healthy equation. Do your part to spread the word and to help make our communities more open to these goals.

Make Healthy and Informed Decisions

You might think you have little control over your health because your genes play a large role in your health destiny. Though genes play a role in many disorders, even women with a mutation in the BRCA1 gene—one of the breast cancer genes—are not automatically destined to get breast cancer. Up to half of those women do not develop the disease. And lifestyle and environmental factors also play a role.

Access to information on health issues is unprecedented and empowering, and being well informed does improve your wellbeing. But it’s important not to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume and depth of information regarding disease risk factors. Don’t suffer from paralysis analysis.

One study might say physical activity reduces the risk of heart attack, while another finds no link between the two, and a third shows it may even increase the risk of a heart attack. Ask yourself: “What is the weight of the evidence?” Just being able to distinguish between a single study report and the overall body of data about a specific health issue will go a long way in good decision making.

Your Personal Healthcare Team

When faced with major decisions, from using menopausal hormone therapy to taking an aspirin a day, you may not be able to evaluate the weight of the evidence and the complex balance of pros and cons. That’s the time to seek the counsel of a healthcare professional. Physicians, nurse practitioners, life coaches, and counselors may be part of your wellness team. Add your family and friends to your support network and you will have a balanced approach to health that will serve you well.