Trusted Health Information

  Pregnancy tests If you think you may be  pregnant , taking a pregnancy test as soon as the first day of your missed period can help you get the care and support you need.  A home pregnancy test can tell whether you are pregnant with almost 99% accuracy, depending on how you use it. If a pregnancy test says you are pregnant, you should see your doctor for another test to confirm the pregnancy and talk about next steps. How soon can I use a home pregnancy test? Some home pregnancy tests are more sensitive than others and can be taken before your missed period. But you may get more accurate results if you wait until after the first day of your missed period. This is because the amount of the pregnancy hormone, called human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, in your urine increases with time. The earlier you take the test, the harder it is for the test to detect the hCG. hCG is made when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. This usually happens about 10 days after conception (when the m

  Making your home safe for baby Your baby is on the way, and there is a lot to think about.  Besides making sure that you have baby furniture and clothing for your new son or daughter, you'll want to check that your home is safe. These tips can help you cover all the safety bases. Before you bring baby home Before you bring baby home: Check the safety of your baby's crib and other baby items.  Many new parents welcome hand-me-down baby items from family and friends. Although it's wise to save money, some products could be unsafe if recalled or if parts are missing or loose. Unsafe cribs and other items can put your baby's life in danger. Most brand new cribs and mattresses purchased in the United States are safe. Make sure the crib conforms to the current government safety standards. Also, check to see if hand-me-down items, such as bassinets or portable cribs, have been recalled. Check for recalls and get information on buying a safe crib and mattress at the  U.S. Con

Prescription Medications to Treat Overweight & Obesity. What are overweight and obesity? Health care professionals use the  Body Mass Index  (BMI), a measure of your weight in relation to your height, to define overweight and obesity. People who have a BMI between 25 and 30 are considered to be overweight. Obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30 or greater. You can  calculate your BMI  to learn if you are  overweight , have  obesity , or have severe obesity, which may increase your risk of health problems. Your health care professional can assess your individual risk caused by your weight. If you are struggling with your weight, a healthy eating plan and regular physical activity may help you lose weight and keep it off over the long term. If these lifestyle changes are not enough to help you lose weight or maintain your weight loss, your health care professional may prescribe medications as part of your weight-control program. How common are overweight and obesity? Obesity is a 

Keep Active and Eat Healthy to Improve Well-being and Feel Great Eating foods that are good for you and staying physically active may help you reach and maintain a   healthy weight   and improve how you feel. You also may find that moving more and eating better could help you keep up with the demands of your busy life and be there for the people who depend on you. This web content is part of materials and a program called Sisters Together: Move More, Eat Better. The program encourages black women to improve their health through regular physical activity and healthy eating. You may use this information to help yourself, friends, and family members get healthier. It’s never too early or too late to start making small changes to improve your health. Why should I move more and eat better? In addition to helping you reach and maintain a healthy weight, staying active and eating better may lower your chances of developing type 2 diabetes , or high blood sugar high blood pressure kidney disea