Latest information on women's health will be presented at popular UCSF Women's Health 2020 Conference on Saturday, March 31

Complementary medicine, the politics of women's health, hormone replacement therapy, midlife career changes and preventing dementia are among the many topics to be explored in depth at the 8th annual UCSF Women's Health 2020 (formerly called Women's Health 2000). The all-day program will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, March 31, at the University of California, San Francisco, Cole Hall, 513 Parnassus Avenue.

UCSF Women's Health 2020 will feature 30 sessions that will examine a wide range of women's physical and emotional health issues. (See attached schedule for talks). Topics include lesbian health, heart disease, financial planning for fiscal fitness, feeling at home in your body, depression, child bearing and sexuality. The UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women's Health (COE) and the UCSF Obstetrics and Gynecology Research and Education Foundation are sponsoring the event, which typically draws between 400 and 600 participants from the Bay Area each year.

The theme of this year's program is "Perfect Vision for a Healthy Future." The main goal of the event is to provide women with the best and latest information about women's health so they can make good and informed health choices.

"Historically our knowledge of many diagnostic tests, symptoms, preventive interventions and treatments has been based almost entirely on studies in men leaving us with the uncertainty of whether what works for men will work for women. Fortunately in recent years, there has been a rapid explosion of knowledge about women's health," said Nancy Milliken, MD, director of the UCSF National Center of Excellence in Women's Health. "This conference is important for women because it gives them the opportunity to hear directly from the experts about new research on prevention and treatment options unique to women."

The keynote speaker is Kathy Rodgers, a lawyer and president of the National Organization of Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund. Her talk is titled: "Pregnant Chads: How Politics Influence Women's Health." Rodgers has distinguished herself as an advocate and grassroots organizer who has worked in defining and defending women's rights. Under her direction, the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund spearheaded the effort to pass the Violence Against Women Act, signed into law by former President Bill Clinton in 1994.

Singer, songwriter and activist Margie Adam will release her new album at Women's Health 2020 and will perform live during the closing ceremony. Adam is considered a founder of the "Women's Music" genre-a movement that paved the way for women to maintain independence and artistic integrity in the music industry.

In recognition of the comprehensive and excellent quality health services UCSF offers women, the Office on Women's Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services designated UCSF a National Center of Excellence in Women's Health in 1996. UCSF was one of six vanguard institutions nationwide to receive this honor. The UCSF COE is committed to developing partnerships with individuals and organizations to foster and support activities to help improve the health and well being of women and girls across diverse communities.

Early bird registration is $45 (by March 5). The fee after March 5 is $50 and for attendees 65 years and older the fee is $40. Registration includes participation in the seminars, continental breakfast, lunch, snacks, conference materials and live entertainment. For more information or to register, call 415-820-8565 or visit http://itsa.ucsf.edu/~ucsfcoe.

Media interested in covering UCSF Women's Health 2020 or developing a story about women's health should call Leslie Harris in the UCSF News Service Office, 415-885-7277.

Conference Schedule:

The following concurrent talks will take place between 9:45 a.m.-10:35 a.m.

• The Making of a Modern Tragedy: The Tobacco Industry's Impact on Women's Health
• Separating Myth from Reality in Lesbian Health Care
• Midlife Career Changes: Finding the Job That Feeds Your Family and Your Soul
• Heart Disease: The #1 Killer of Women
• GI Jane; Fighting the Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Growing into Your Skin: Dermatology for Aging Women

  The following concurrent talks will take place between 10:45 a.m.-11:35 a.m.

• New Evidence: When Do You Need Pap Smears and Mammograms?
• Sweet Success: Insights and Advances in Diabetes
• Contraceptive Update: What's on the Horizon?
• News Flash about Hot Flashes and Other Symptoms of Menopause
• Throbbing, Pounding, Screaming?!? How to Handle Headaches
• Mind Over Bladder: Managing Incontinence

  The following concurrent talks will take place between 12:35 p.m.-1:25 p.m.

• Depression: More Than Just the Blues
• Feeling at Home in Your Body: Yoga for Weight Management
• How to Excel in Your Career and Still have a Life: Balancing Tips
• Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy: What's New?
• Promoting Your Fertility as the Biological Clock Ticks
• Hands, Shoulders, Knees and Toes: Treatment Options for Arthritis

  The following concurrent talks will take place between 1:35 p.m. to 2:25 p.m.

• Move it or Lose It: Finding the Activity That's Right for You at Any Age
• Reproductive Options for Lesbians
• Gingko, Kavakava and St. John's Wort: A review of Common Supplements
• Will Hysterectomy Be Obsolete in 2020?
• Breaking the Cycle: PMS
• Preventing Dementia in Women

  The following concurrent talks will take place between 2:35 p.m.-3:25 p.m.

• Financial Planning for Fiscal Fitness
• Ancient Chinese Healing: Acupuncture and Herbs for Women
• Childbearing Over the Age of 35: Fact and Fiction
• What's New in Breast Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
• Sex, Hormones and Moods: Finding Harmony and Pleasure
• Strong Bones for Strong Women: Treatment for Osteoporosis