Women Veterans can be role models for health

“This week, let us renew our commitment to empowering all women with the chance to live strong, healthy lives.” — President Barack Obama

National Women’s Health Week kicks off on Mother’s Day, May 10, and is celebrated until May 16, 2015. The goal is to empower women to make their health a priority. VA takes this opportunity to help women Veterans understand what steps they can take to improve their health and to encourage them to serve as role models for health.

Women can be important role models.

As role models, a woman’s behavior, example, or success is emulated by others, especially by younger people. In general, a role model helps to guide others through life as they develop, to make important decisions, and to help find happiness later in life.

People, especially children, look to their role models for inspiration and use what they learn as a blueprint for how they should behave when they’re older. Role models are parents, immediate family members, teachers, and women Veterans, just to name a few.

Women are leaders in their communities, professions, and households — places where people are watching the examples they set. Others will follow a woman’s approach to health. From the foods they eat, to their exercise habits, to the way they care for the health of others, women, including women Veterans, are role models for health.

People are watching the examples set by women leaders.

What Role Does She Play?

Women with a career as a health professional (i.e., doctor, nurse) are not the only role models for health. Other roles include:

• Certified health coach
• Exercise instructor
• Caregiver
• Volunteer

What Can You Do To Be A Role Model For Health?

The National Institutes of Health provides tips on how to be a role model for health with kids. Explore the full list of tips on how to be a good role model, including:

• Make Your Home a Healthy Eating Zone
• Get Your Family Moving
• Limit Screen Time

VA as a Health Care Resource

VA offers primary and specialty health care services for women Veterans that can help them live healthy lives and maintain role model status. Learn more about VA health care for women Veterans.

Here are some other great resources:

We Can! Tip Sheet: Be a Good Health Role Model 
Be a Healthy Role Model for Children 
Women Veterans Health Care: Health and Wellness 
Women Veterans Health Care: Telephone Health Care

This story was originally published on Inside Veterans Health.