Media
Just a little more than a year after its formation, the grassroots Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) is planning the Midcoast Maine Women’s Health Conference for Saturday, May 17, 2008. The educational program will celebrate women’s health with a focus on health practices that recognize the whole woman: body, mind, and spirit. The initial purpose was to investigate the possibility of a women’s resource/health center. As we move toward this goal, gaining a better understanding of the underserved needs of coastal Maine women is the first step.
It is not surprising that women purchase more than half of all health services. Lung cancer and heart disease remain at the top of the list in taking the lives of Maine women. With interactive workshops on allopathic, naturopathic and alternative health practices, presenters will provide various suggestions on living healthier lifestyles. With obesity and diabetes as leading health concerns for women across the country, nutrition and self care will be topics of discussion.
As health-minded men and women, the WHI recognize the role women play in choosing the healthcare providers for their families. Women’s influence over their family’s diet is a primary area we will focus on. Through educational workshops with nutritionists, dietitians, physicians and chiropractors, attendees will have the opportunity to investigate healthy choices to incorporate
into their life.
A primary goal of the conference organizing committee is to reach underserved coastal Maine women. Revenue raised through fundraising will provide an affordable educational program to both men and women. Through collaboration with our local hospital and other civic organizations,
we will outreach to the underserved. The University of Maine Hutchinson Center, Waldo County General Hospital, Bangor Savings Foundation, Infinitt NA and Wal-Mart have contributed to making this health initiative possible for women of midcoast Maine..
If you have questions, would like more information or are interested in volunteering to help with the conference, please contact us at 930-6745 or email at womenshealth@wchi.com.
Donations to help with conference expenses may be sent to:
Women’s Health Initiative, P.O. Box 287, Belfast, ME 04915.
Organizing Committee
Women’s Health Initiative