Washington, DC -- Each year, millions of Americans are diagnosed with mostly preventable health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Research shows that these diseases could be avoided, held at bay, or improved through healthy living, routine screenings, and doctor's visits.

ACOG encourages women to adopt healthy lifestyle habits—with prevention in mind—that will enable them to stay as well as possible for as long as possible. ACOG offers the following tips to women for 2009:

Visit with your ob-gyn regularly. For many women, preventive care starts with a visit to their ob-gyn. ACOG recommends that most women see their doctor every year for a well-woman check-up. Regular visits to the ob-gyn help ensure that you receive age-appropriate screenings, exams, and immunizations and allow physicians to identify and treat common problems before they become a serious health risk.

A well-woman visit consists of a general examination (height, weight, body mass index, and blood pressure), a breast exam to check for breast masses or abnormalities, and a pelvic exam to assess reproductive health. Your pelvic examination may include a Pap test—a crucial screening exam in the prevention of cervical cancer. Pap screening allows your doctor to detect and monitor the growth of any abnormal cells on the cervix, which can become cancerous if left untreated. While abnormal cells sometimes resolve on their own, those that do not can be treated before the situation becomes more serious. ACOG recommends that women have their first Pap test within three years of sexual activity or by the age of 21, then annually until age 30. Women older than 30 can continue to have annual Pap tests; can have a Pap test every two to three years after three normal tests in a row; or can have a Pap test in conjunction with a test for human papillomavirus (HPV) every three years. All women should still see their doctor annually for other routine screenings and preventive care.

Your doctor may test blood cholesterol, sugar levels, and waist circumference. He or she can use this information to assess your risk for developing heart disease and diabetes and help you develop a plan to reduce risk factors. Additional blood, urine, and STD screenings may also be ordered to provide a more complete picture of your overall health.

At your doctor visit, be sure to tell your physician about all aspects of your health and lifestyle, including personal and family health histories, medications and supplements that you take, your current diet and exercise habits, sexual practices, and whether you use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs. Complete and honest answers will help your doctor give the best advice for your health needs.

Get Active in 2009. Regular physical activity can help you control your weight and reduce your risk of heart disease, stroke, some cancers, Type II diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Exercise can also improve your ability to perform daily tasks, keep you mentally sharp, and help you avoid injuries.

Taking small steps can help ease you into a workout routine, especially if you are not accustomed to being active. ACOG recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise on most days of the week to lower the risk of chronic disease, 60 minutes on most days of the week to maintain weight, and at least 60 to 90 minutes a day to lose weight. Even if you can't get a full workout in every day, any physical activity will make a difference. It's a good idea to consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program.

Eat Smarter. One-third of all women in the US are currently classified as obese—a number that is not declining amid the abundance of over-processed, supersized, high-fat, and high-sodium food choices that are constantly and conveniently available. Though many Americans would have a hard time changing their diets overnight, a reasonable goal for most women is to consume a healthier, balanced diet such as the one recommended by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

USDA's food pyramid (www.mypyramid.gov) can be useful in planning smart meals and food choices. The MyPyramid website also features a tool that calculates the nutrients from the major food groups needed to maintain optimal health based on age, sex, and physical activity. Eating healthier is an important step in lowering your risk of disease and may lead to long-term wellness and weight maintenance.

Stop Smoking ASAP. Quitting smoking is one of the single most significant preventive health moves that women can make. Every puff of cigarette smoke contains more than 2,500 chemicals that can negatively affect just about every organ in the body. Smoking also increases the risk of heart disease, infertility, early menopause, and more than 10 different cancers.

Smokers who quit can stop or reverse most of the damage caused by smoking. Soon after a woman stops smoking, her heart rate and blood pressure drop to healthier levels, and breathing, circulation, and sense of smell and taste may improve. Heart attack risk decreases by 50% within the first year of quitting, and the risk of developing some cancers, heart disease, and other ailments falls to nearly that of a nonsmoker within the first few years.

It takes most smokers several attempts to kick cigarettes for good, and going cold turkey can be extremely difficult because of nicotine withdrawal and cravings. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Women who are considering quitting should talk to their doctor about methods that may increase the odds of quitting for good. Nicotine replacement products used to combat cravings (patches, gums, nasal sprays, etc) or medications (such as bupropion or varenicline), in combination with nicotine replacement, can double the chances of quitting.

ACOG wishes you good health and much happiness in the new year!

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