The Women’s Leadership and Mentoring Alliance, sponsored by the Institute for Women’s Health Research presents:
“Women’s Health — Does Sex Matter?”
Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 5:00-6:00 pm
A reception will be held 30 minutes prior and following the discussion
Prentice Women’s Hospital, Harris Family Foundation Atrium – Third Floor
250 E. Superior Street Chicago, Illinois
Please join WLMA in welcoming Dr. Teresa K. Woodruff, PhD – Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Founder and Director of the Institute for Women’s Health Research. Dr. Woodruff will discuss women’s health and the sex and gender dynamic that affects women and our relationship with medicine.
Photo: Huge Galdones
Current knowledge about the interaction between sex and gender on health and disease is imperfect and only now evolving. We now know that a person’s biological sex plays a predominant role in the cause, origin, beginning and subsequent progression of disease. In addition, gender, or one’s behavioral, cultural or psychological traits, influences risk profiles, symptom recognition, disease severity, and access to health education and quality care. We must ensure that sex and gender are studied at the most basic cellular and molecular level so that when studies are translated into clinical human studies, we already know the potential for different responses in men and women. For example, unforeseen side effects can result when we introduce new drugs and treatments to humans without adequately studying them in both male and female animal models. Dr. Woodruff will share specific examples of why sex matters and we will learn what this means to us as patients, mothers, daughters, wives and caregivers. We will have the opportunity to learn firsthand what is being done in the world of medical research to improve the lives of women.
Please join us and our esteemed speaker in this riveting discussion on women’s health. This event is free and open to the public.
Complimentary parking will be provided at the Huron/St. Clair garage, located at 222 East Huron Street.
Please RSVP for this program by Friday, October 23, 2009, by sending an email to womensleadership@mwe.com