Keeping the Women we Love Healthy

What does fashion have to do with the Howell Foundation? Increased awareness of the need for women's health research!  One would think that research and fashion have absolutely nothing in common.  Think again.  We have met some of the most stylish researchers of the day!  But for the Howell Foundation, it is not really about being stylish -- which we are!  It is about creating the much needed awareness of the importance of women's health research. Why is women's health research so important?  Research must be at the forefront of any women’s health initiative.  The exclusion of female subjects in current research efforts translates into women often being misdiagnosed.  In the era of personalized medicine, a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach to treating women's health issues based on research results of male subjects, only places women at a critical risk. The “Ten Best Dressed Awards" Gala is a fun, novel and creative way to bring awarenes...

The use of cannabis as a recreational and medical drug is plagued with controversy.  While some states in the US have voted and approved the recreational use of it, marijuana still remains a crime at a Federal level. Even though research has shown both positive and negative effects of cannabis, the support of its use is at an all time high -- pun intended! With the passage of Proposition 64 legalizing the recreational use of marijuana in California last November, it seemed timely to hear about research surrounding this issue.   The Howell Foundation hosted Drs. Susan Tapert and Igor Grant in May, with the objective of discussing the good, the bad, the myths and the realities of cannabis. The first question to be asked is if the use of marijuana is bad or good for you.  According to research conducted by Dr. Tapert, in young adults, not good. Dr. Tapert became interested in addictive behavior research as an undergraduate at University of Washington.  Her f...