Womens Health Project Holds an Event Focusing on Heart Problems

ALBANY, NY (02/05/2010)(readMedia)-- The Women's Health Project, which is a collective project between the University at Albany, and Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, held its third community event on Feb 3rd at Shiloh Baptist Church, 14 Warren Street, in Hudson from 6-730pm. The goal of the project is to assist low income women in obtaining quality reproductive health care and in identifying and reaching the agencies that can provide these services.

This month's event focused on women's heart problems and featured presentations by Dr. Tanya Mays, of the Columbia Memorial Hospital's Women's Health Center, Jeanette Johnson, community outreach associate and Annis Golden, University at Albany Professor and Women's Health Director. Attendees were provided the opportunity to learn about heart disease, approaches to prevention and to healthy living when heart problems are already present.

Those hosting the event were upbeat about the audience and the project itself. "The word is out," said Jeanette Johnson, Community Outreach Associate. "I see a couple of ladies here who were at the last event as well as many new faces and I've have had many people come up to me that recognized me from a previous presentation or have seen me throughout the community. I'm very pleased by the turnout. The fact that people are becoming aware of services means that our project is spreading out."

Dr. Tanya Mays was able to reach out to many in the attendance. Questions were asked routinely throughout the presentation. Attendees were provided the opportunity to speak with her one-on-one and address personal medical issues.

"I take care of women at all stages of their life," explained Dr. Mays of the Columbia Memorial Hospital's Women's Health Center. "From beginning to end I don't stop, and heart issues are something that women of all ages should be provided the opportunity to learn about. One in four women die of heart disease every year, and chronic conditions build over life. We need to do everything we can to reduce those numbers. Our goal is to teach heart disease to women, and teach them the signs and symptoms they may encounter if they possibly have such ailments and aren't sure of what to do. I'm hoping to these women can make lifestyle changes, and the risk factors that are reasonable to change are worth fixing so that these women can lead healthier lives."

The event also featured a resource fair from 6-630 pm, which provided information regarding Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood services as well other health care programs. Featured were the Columbia Memorial Hospital Department of Medical Imaging, the Columbia County Community Healthcare Consortium, Columbia Opportunities, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and the Columbia County Department of Health. Service also featured was cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure screenings. With a collective effort, this group will continue to plan a series of events that will provide informational presentations, tabling of specific organizations in order to ensure that women's health is improved. Also included were refreshments, travel vouchers and a raffle that awarded prizes.

"Our goal," explained Annis Golden, University at Albany Professor and Women's Health Director "is to encourage women that they can always change their habits and that it is never too late to change something about their health. We are focusing on ways how women can improve health concerns in women's reproductive health. Were always learning, and the biggest challenge is getting people to come out. By the turnout, and responses I've had it clearly shows that we are growing and I hope to see this continue."