Hormone replacement therapy, skin concerns, weight management and exercise are several of the areas that will be outlined during a new monthly community lecture series on women's health.
"We have arranged these public lectures for women because women's health is so important, and health professionals, policy makers and women themselves are placing greater emphasis on this topic," says Janet Parkosewich, cochair with Sheila Press of the Education and Health Policy Council, a component of the Women's Health Program at Yale.
"We also would like to share with the Greater New Haven community the expertise of several of the wonderful physicians and other health professionals who are involved with womenYale," adds Ms. Parkosewich, a cardiac clinical nurse specialist at Yale-New Haven Hospital.
Last fall, the School of Medicine was selected by federal health leaders as one of six Centers for Excellence in Women's Health. Several of the program's faculty experts, who have concurrent appointments at Yale-New Haven Hospital, will share current information in their field.
The free evening lectures are scheduled to be held on the first Tuesday of every month, beginning March 4, at the Center Church on the Green Parish House at 311 Temple St. in New Haven. All programs will run 7:30-9 p.m.
Free parking is available in Yale University lot No. 51, directly across the street from the Parish House. Advance registration for the free series is requested. Call 203-737-5631 to register.
The series is co-sponsored by the Yale-New Haven Hospital Auxiliary and the Education and Health Policy Council. Wyeth-Ayerst Pharmaceutical Co. has provided educational support for this series.
Speakers, topics and dates follow:
March 4 -- "Women's Health Today: The Future Is Now." The featured speaker will be Dr. Florence Comite, associate professor of medicine, of obstetrics and gynecology, and of pediatrics at the School of Medicine. She will discuss how the expected increase in life expectancy for women will affect the entire landscape of medical care during the upcoming decades and how medical research is simultaneously expanding the boundaries of the public's knowledge. Among the questions she will explore are: What is in store for women as they age? How are emerging technologies addressing women's needs? How can women best use the available knowledge and information to prepare for the future?
April 1 -- "Dermatologic Concerns of Women." Dr. Jean L. Bolognia, associate professor in the dermatology department and the Yale Cancer Center, will discuss the major dermatologic concerns that women face, including benign and malignant growths, hair loss, acne, dry skin and the effects of aging.
May 6 -- "An Exercise in Weight Management through Diet and Commitment." Lisa Tartamella, a registered dietician at Yale-New Haven Hospital, and Sue McHenry, excercise physiologist and cardiac program manager at Temple Cardiac Rehabilitation, will offer a lesson in learning to live diet free by modifying lifestyle to include realistic goal setting and a lifelong commitment to physical activity.
June 3 -- "The Risks and Benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy." This lecture will be presented by Dr. Janet B. Henrich, associate professor of medicine and of obstetrics and gynecology, and director of the Women's Health Program and the Center for Excellence in Women's Health at the School of Medicine. Dr. Henrich will explain why menopause marks a time of important change for most women. She will review changes associated with menopause and discuss the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy.