For many women, taking vitamins and other supplements recommended by healthcare professionals is a simple daily activity that can go a long way in promoting health. NSF/ANSI 173-2009, Dietary supplements, is a standard developed by NSF International, a member and audited designator of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) that guides these products. From Vitamin A to promote good eyesight to Zinc to support the immune system, many common vitamins and minerals are supported by this guideline.
When it comes to health concerns for women, breast cancer is often at the top of the list. With the help of International Standards, mammograms can screen for breast cancer and provide peace of mind - or early detection - for women across the country. IEC 60627 Ed. 2.0 b:2001, Diagnostic X-ray imaging equipment - Characteristics of general purpose and mammographic anti-scatter grids, addresses the definitions, determination, and indication of characteristics of anti-scatter grids used in diagnostic X-ray imaging equipment. Its guidelines reduce the incidence of scattered radiation in the image reception area, improving the contrast of the X-ray pattern and making the results easier to interpret.
These standards were developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Technical Committee (TC) 62B, Diagnostic Imaging Equipment. The United States National Committee (USNC)-approved Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Administrator for this TC is the Medical Imaging & Technology Alliance (MITA). MITA is a division of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), an ANSI member and accredited standards developer.
Another health concern for women - and men - is heart disease. In fact, it's the number one cause of death in the United States. Fortunately, living a healthy and active lifestyle can dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease. Exercise and fitness are a critical component of heart health, and exercise machines in the home or gym are a convenient way to work out all year long. An American National Standard (ANS) from ASTM International, an ANSI member and audited designator, helps to ensure the safety and stability of treadmills. ASTM F2106-03, Standard Test Methods for Evaluating Design and Performance Characteristics of Motorized Treadmills, specifies procedures and equipment used for testing and evaluating stability, endurance, overheating, and user interface of treadmills, among other important factors.
Healthy living should be an everyday priority for women of all ages across the country. To learn more about women's health, see the National Women's Health Week website.