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 Ossining, NY - Open Door Family Medical Centers and Women Organized Around Wellness (WOW), an Ossining based coalition with a mission to increase awareness of health disparities affecting African-American women, will present “Straight Talk, Tell It Like It Is”, a night of information, entertainment, pampering and dinner as part of their ongoing series, “A Day for Us”, on Friday March 28 to discuss HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) and Cervical Cancer.
The free event at the Ossining Public Library will take place from 6-9pm and is open to the public. Reservations are requested and may be made by calling Donna Thomas at (914) 502-1380.
Keynote speaker, Dr, Iliana Robinson, an OB/GYN at Open Door, will talk about HPV, the leading cause of cervical cancer, early detection and treatment of Cervical Cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, half the women with Cervical Cancer are diagnosed between the ages of 35-55. The ACS estimates that over 11,000 women will receive a diagnosis in 2008. Statistics show that this form of cancer occurs most often in Hispanic women (over twice that of non-Hispanic white women) and that African-American women develop cervical cancer about 50% more often than non-Hispanic white women.
In addition to Dr. Robinson, the Youth Theater Interactions Group from Yonkers, NY will perform and various pampering services will be offered, including chair massages. Dinner will also be served for all guests.
The health disparities involving the African American female population throughout Westchester County manifest in many ways; greater death rates, higher incidences of chronic illnesses, shorter life expectancies, poorer quality of care, less likelihood of seeking medical care, lack of role model support and less income to pay for care. The goal of WOW is to improve some of these disparities by providing health education and outreach, increased access to treatment and screenings, culturally sensitive and competent health care interventions and an overall increase in the dialogue about health care for women of color.
For more information about Women Organized Around Wellness or “A Day For Us: Straight Talk, Tell it Like It Is”, call (914) 502-1380.
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