Women are not only the gatekeepers of their own health, but also for their children, families and communities.
Starting Saturday, the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Public Health's Center for Reducing Health Disparities will sponsor a weeklong series called, "Embracing Mind and BODY: A Celebration of Womanhood."
The series, open to the public, encourages women to engage in honest discussions about their health.
The events aim to raise awareness about: major issues in and threats to women and girls' health; health disparities between women and men; and major women's health issues in Douglas County, which has more young females than the national average and many who live in poverty. Topics will include women’s health care, healthy eating and exercise, and health relationships.
"We want to increase awareness about the health outcomes of women and encourage both young and older women to take better care of their bodies — including physical, mental and spiritual health," said Sondra Manske, principal investigator and health disparities research specialist in the UNMC College of Public Health Center for Reducing Health Disparities.
Saturday, May 12 — 10 a.m. to noon in the UNO Thompson Alumni Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Renaisa Anthony, M.D., interim director of the Center for Reducing Health Disparities, is the keynote speaker at the event, which will feature interactive displays and light refreshments. The discussion will focus on women’s health across the lifespan emphasizing physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health.
Wednesday, May 16 — 11 a.m. to noon in the UNMC College of Public Health, Room 1001. Jack Turman Jr. Ph.D., director of the physical therapy program at UNMC's School of Allied Health Professions will talk about the Connections Project as part of a panel discussion on the importance of collaboration between community members and academic institutions. The project focuses on implementing successful community-based strategies to improve birth outcomes in the African-American community and ultimately reduce disparities in birth outcomes.
Saturday, May 19 — 10 a.m. to noon in the UNO Thompson Alumni Center. Mariel Harding from Planned Parenthood of the Heartland will present "Bringing Sexuality to the Forefront – the Missing Link to Being a Healthy Woman." Light refreshments will be provided.
E-mail Sondra.Manske@unmc.edu or call 402-559-9664 for more information.
Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.