Healthy Gift Alternatives for Mother's Day

Keep the leading diseases among Black women at bay.

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Happy Mother's Day - This Sunday, empower the special mothers in your life by helping them to take charge of their personal health and find the health care they need. Giving a gift that encourages a healthy lifestyle will not only benefit the mothers in your life, but help to reduce inequities in in wellness among all Black women. Keep reading for a list of gift ideas. —Patrice Peck (Photo: Leonora Hamill/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Leonora Hamill/Getty Images/ Leonora Hamill/Getty Images

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk - Boobs — they need your support! So show some this October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Walk for the cause and join the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. Join a team or create one, and collect donations. You'll be helping people with the disease, their families and efforts to find a cure. The walk is held on different days in cities across the country in October. To find out more information, click here. (Photo: UPI Photo/Bill Greenblatt /Landov)

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Breast Cancer - The most common form of cancer among Black women, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death. The older a woman gets, the stronger her risk factor becomes—particularly for Black women ages 45 to 64 years. Because early detection and diagnosis are critically important, why not treat your mother to a fancy dinner and movie after her next mammogram?(Photo: Bill Greenblatt /UPI Photo/Landov)

7. Dietitian - Median Salary: $53,250 As the focus stays on slashing obesity rates around the nation, the role of a dietitian becomes increasingly more prominent as they help people design eating plans to fit their dietary needs.(Photo: PEGGY TURBETT/The Plain Dealer /Landov)

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Obesity - A limited access to healthy food options is one of the many factors that contributes to the high rate of obesity in the Black American community. Book your mother several sessions with a certified nutritionist so that she can receive the necessary skills and information to reduce her risk of becoming overweight or obese. 

Diabetes - Diabetes affects 1 in 4 women ages 55 years and older and is the fourth leading cause of death for all ages. While some risk factors for type 2 diabetes cannot be controlled, such as age or family history, there are certain steps that can be taken to prevent or delay the disease. Practicing aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities can keep diabetes at bay, so promote exercise with a new bicycle or dance classes and make quality time a healthy time. (Photo: © Laura Doss/Corbis)

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Diabetes - Diabetes affects 1 in 4 women ages 55 years and older and is the fourth leading cause of death for all ages. While some risk factors for type 2 diabetes cannot be controlled, such as age or family history, there are certain steps that can be taken to prevent or delay the disease. Practicing aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities can keep diabetes at bay, so promote exercise with a new bicycle or dance classes and make quality time a healthy time. (Photo: © Laura Doss/Corbis)

Straight From the Farm - Don’t miss out on the summer’s vibrant organic bounty at your local farmer’s market. Mouth-watering goodies like corn, watermelon, zucchini and green beans thrive in this season. Once you’ve drawn inspiration from all of the delicious offerings, get creative in the kitchen with some of these healthy DIY brunch recipes.(Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

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Heart Disease - Obesity, high cholesterol and blood pressure and a limited awareness of elevated risks all contribute to Black women’s developing heart disease at a rate twice as high as white women. Gift your mother with a personal chef to help create low-sodium meal plans that include fruits, vegetables and grains, all of which stabilize blood pressure and cholesterol levels and keep one’s weight in check. (Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

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HIV/AIDS - Black women make up 66 percent of new cases of HIV among women. With HIV/AIDS related illnesses now being the leading cause of death kong Black women ages 25 to 34, young mothers are most at risk. Team up with your mothers in your life to volunteer at one of the hundreds of organizations working to educate the public about HIV/AIDS. Another option is making a donation to an HIV/AIDS charity in your mother’s name.(Photo: Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal/Landov)

Why Us? - Almost everyone is at risk for heart disease, but women’s elevated risk stems from the fact that we are more likely to be overweight and obese; work out less and have high blood pressure and diabetes. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing heart disease. (Photo: REUTERS/Rick Wilking)

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Cervical Cancer - While cervical cancer is the most preventable form of cancer, Black women are more likely to die of this cancer than any other ethnic or racial group. Regular screenings are the best way to detect changes in the cervix before they are cancerous. Help your mother schedule a screening and then surprise her with a spa day or partner yoga class after her appointment. (Photo: Rick Wilken/Landov/Reuters)