Women's & Men's Health (WMHP) News You Can Use: Issue 9, October 2026

ISSUE NUMBER NINE • OCTOBER 2026

WMHP Logo

Women's & Men's Health
~ News You Can Use ~

CLIENT Updates, Highlights & Prevention Insights

WMHP Mission:  Ensure Nebraska women and men have access to cancer
screening and prevention resources.
WMHP Vision:  Nebraska Women and Men Living Healthy and Cancer Free Lives

Women's & Men's Health Programs

Every Woman Matters (EWM) is a federally funded program that pays for office visits associated with Pap tests, pelvic exams, clinical breast exams and lab fees for women aged 25-64. Age-appropriate mammography is covered as well as diagnostic tests. EWM provides screening and diagnostic tests, public education, and quality assurance activities.  Find out more... 

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Coming Soon...

Every five years the Every Woman Matters Program must submit a competitive grant application to continue to receive funding.  The application will be due to our funders in early February.  EWM will need to submit letters of support from both our clients and providers.  When we start to collect the letters of support we may be reaching out to you for assistance.  If you’re interested in helping, please respond to any of our requests as soon as possible so we can include your feedback.

 

EWM Celebrates 35 Years! 

This October 2026, EWM celebrates 35 years of serving Nebraska women.  Over the past three and a half decades, the program has improved and expanded access to lifesaving preventive health screenings for women, expanding breast and cervical cancer screenings to offer comprehensive preventive services, including cardiovascular, diabetes and colon cancer screenings.
Read more....

OCTOBER 2026


November is Diabetes Awareness Month

November 2026 is designated as National Diabetes Month.  According to health organizations and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 38 million Americans live with diabetes, and nearly 98 million have prediabetes.  Many of these remain undiagnosed.

During the month of November:

diabetes
tobacco


Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or visit QuitNow.ne.gov to reach a trained quit coach, get access to free quit medication, and make a plan to quit any type of tobacco for good.


KNOW THE FACTS:

What happens at a cervical cancer screening (otherwise known as a Pap smear)?

Another post in our series Nerdy Notes: Science in Story & Verse I got my first pap smear (cervical cancer screening) the summer before senior year of college. I was 22 and facing a laundry list of health related tasks before leaving for the fall. The pap smear, at the top of my list, was Read more…

Source:  Those Nerdy Girls @thosenerdygirls - https://thosenerdygirls.org/pap-smear/


HPV, the Most Common Sexually Transmitted Infection: What It Is, How It Spreads, and What It Means if You Test Positive

What is HPV? HPV (human papillomavirus) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Most people who get HPV clear the virus on their own within two years and don’t have symptoms – but because some types can lead to cancer or genital warts, it’s helpful for everyone to know about HPV prevention and treatment. Read more…

Source:  Those Nerdy Girls @thosenerdygirls - https://thosenerdygirls.org/hpv-ovreview/


Are screening tests and diagnostic tests the same thing?

The Short Answer: Nope!  The goal of a screening test is to determine the likelihood of disease in a person who currently shows no signs or symptoms, while a diagnostic test detects whether (and what type of) disease might be present in someone with symptoms. While some screening tests can be self-administered at home Read more…

Source:  Those Nerdy Girls @thosenerdygirls - https://thosenerdygirls.org/screening-vs-diagnostic-tests/

tuscan chicken

Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Spinach

This Tuscan chicken has creamy comfort without the heavy cream, thanks to a mix of low-fat milk and Greek yogurt. With lean protein, fiber-rich spinach, and no added sugars, it’s a balanced dish that will help you reach your blood glucose (blood sugar) goals. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for something hearty, flavorful, and diabetes friendly. 

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 3 minced garlic cloves
  • 12 ounces low sodium chicken broth (fat free)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 cups spinach (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 1/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil, torn

Instructions:

  • Sprinkle the chicken breasts with the pepper, garlic powder, and oregano. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and sear until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 4–5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. 
  • In the same skillet, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in the milk, sun-dried tomatoes, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 2–3 minutes. 
  • Stir in the spinach and Parmesan cheese, cooking until spinach wilts, about 1–2 minutes. 
  • Remove the pan from the heat once the sauce is finished simmering. In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt with 1–2 Tbsp of the warm sauce to temper it. Slowly stir the tempered yogurt into the pan, mixing gently until fully incorporated. 
  • Return the chicken to the pan. Spoon the sauce over the top. Add half of the basil and simmer for 1–2 minutes to heat through.  
  • Serve with additional fresh basil on top.

Source: https://diabetesfoodhub.org/recipes/creamy-tuscan-chicken-spinach

Nutrition:  Recipe makes 4 servings. 
Serving Size: 4 ounces and 1/2 c sauce
Calories: 230 | Carbohydrates: 9g
Protein: 32g | Fat: 7g

pumpkin recipe

Pumpkin Crisp

Pumpkin Crisp is a delightful fall dessert that captures the warm and spiced flavors of pumpkin in a comforting, crumbly topping. This diabetes-friendly version is perfect for a healthier holiday dessert.

Ingredients:

  • 15 ounces pumpkin puree (canned)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup sugar-free maple syrup
  • 12 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon (divided)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup pecans (chopped) 
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 9x9 baking pan with parchment paper.
  • In a bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, eggs, zero-calorie maple syrup, almond milk, vanilla extract, t tsp ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and salt.
  • Pour the pumpkin mixture into the prepared pan and spread in an even layer.
  • In another bowl, combine the oats, almond flour, chopped pecans, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and vegetable oil.  Stir until the mixture is crumbly.
  • Sprinkle the oat mixture evenly over the top of the pumpkin.
  • Bake until the pumpkin filling is set and the oat topping is golden brown, about 35 minutes.
  • Let it cool 10 minutes and then serve warm.

Source: https://diabetesfoodhub.org/recipes/pumpkin-crisp

Nutrition:  Recipe makes 4 servings. 
Serving Size: 1/4 cup
Calories: 170 | Carbohydrates: 28g
Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g

ENROLLMENT: Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire

In order to enroll into the Every Woman Matters and/or the Nebraska Colon Cancer Screening Program a participant must fill out the Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire (HLQ).  The HLQ helps the program determine what services the client may be eligible for.  HLQs can be found:

YOU CAN NOW TEXT US!

Women's and Men's Health Program uses texting technology to contact clients to inform and educate on screening and rescreening. 

It's been a nice way to connect with clients who like quick ways to connect back with the program. 

Do you need to connect with us?  If so, you can:
Email: dhhs.ewm@nebraska.gov
Call: 800-532-2227
Text: 402-206-0251