Women’s Health Week 2026

Every May, starting on Mother’s Day, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office on Women’s Health (OWH) leads National Women’s Health Week.  This year, National Women’s Health Week takes place from May 10-16. This observance highlights women’s health conditions and priorities and encourages women of all ages to prioritize their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

This year’s theme is “Prevention, Innovation, and Impact: A New Era in Women’s Health.”  The theme reflects the intention to be proactive, science-based, and coordinated care, and highlights the importance of focusing on prevention, early detection, and better health outcomes.   It also emphasizes utilizing scientific research and discoveries and translating that into practical health related steps women can take, and steps health care providers can take.

This year’s themes include:

• The emerging science of the microbiome, vaginal estrogen, environmental exposures and Alzheimer’s dementia.

• Emphasizes the importance of early detection and prevention
• Recognizes the role of hormones in overall health across the lifespan, including menopause, hormone therapy, heart health, bone and muscle health, and maternal health
• An emphasis on information that is based on current research and reflects the future of women’s health

They promote what they call A New Model of Care: More connected, preventive, and person-centered care can lead to better outcomes.

I commend these efforts, and this is what naturopathic medicine, and naturopathic physicians have been doing for decades.

Our principles include the following:

The Six Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

• The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae): Naturopathic medicine recognizes the body’s inherent, intelligent, and self-healing process. Physicians facilitate this process by removing obstacles to healing.
• Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam): Instead of only eliminating symptoms, naturopathic doctors (NDs) seek to identify and treat the underlying root causes of illness, which may be physical, mental, or spiritual.
• First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere): NDs use the most natural, least invasive, and least toxic therapies to minimize harmful side effects and avoid suppressing symptoms.
• Doctor as Teacher (Docere): Physicians educate patients, encouraging self-responsibility for health and providing a deeper understanding of the wellness journey.
• Treat the Whole Person (Holism): Naturopathic medicine focuses on the individual rather than a disease, considering mental, emotional, genetic, environmental, and social factors.
• Prevention: NDs promote health and prevent disease by assessing risk factors, hereditary susceptibility, and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits.

I encourage you to seek out a licensed naturopathic physician who has graduated from an accredited naturopathic medical school.