A reminder on why women's health research is so important, what the Howell Foundation does about it, and why YOU should care!

Bottom line: YOUR health starts with research. 

When your doctor discusses alternative treatments for Alzheimer's Disease, it started with research. Just last week, we learned about one the latest breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s Disease research.  From Science Daily, “the inheritance of small changes in DNA alters the expression of the PM20D1 gene and is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.”

When you know about the differences between men and women, and heart health, it started with research.  Today, not only do we know about the differences between men and women when dealing with heart disease, but thanks to organizations like Be There San Diego and the Howell Luncheon Series, we now have an insight on new technology being developed to prevent and monitor heart health.

When you discuss mammography screening guidelines for breast health, it started with research.  As a matter of fact, our own Dr. Andrea Lacroix will be one of the speakers at the Women of WISDOM event on June 26th, seeking to clarify all the confusion on a tool that clearly saves lives.

When you take control of your health in an informed manner, chances are... the information came as a result of research! 

Research is the cornerstone of women's health. The exclusion of female subjects in current research efforts translates into women being misdiagnosed and mistreated for any given illness.  In the era of personalized medicine, a 'one-size-fits-all' approach on the basis of results from male research subjects, places women at a higher health risk.

The Doris A. Howell Foundation for Women's Health Research is dedicated to making a long-term, positive impact on women's health.

It's about getting our scientific community excited about women's health research.  We are unique in awarding undergraduate research scholarships to UCSD and California State University students for research in women’s health.  In addition, we support graduate nursing students at USD.  In over two decades we have funded more than 200 exceptional scholars doing women's health research.  Your doctor TODAY probably got a research scholarship that, at the end of the day, allows you to have a meaningful conversation about YOUR health!

It's about information. In parallel with our training scholarships, our outreach programs and blog translate novel research findings for the public; empowering women to become their own best health advocates.  With knowledge comes power...  the power to decide what is best for YOU based on the latest research efforts!

It's about making sure that every woman in our community has access to the latest information.  Women's health research involving under-served or "at risk" populations is funded through pilot grants to researchers who partner with community organizations to address vital health questions.  This unprecedented award brings academic research full circle to benefit women in our community and beyond.  Partnering Academia with renowned community organizations ensures that ALL women have access to information that can benefit their health.

Can we count on you to help make research a priority for women's health? 

For more information visit www.howellfoundation.org to find out the many ways you can give!

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About the Doris A. Howell Foundation:

For the past 23 years, The Doris A. Howell Foundation for Women’s Health Research has been dedicated to keeping to women we love healthy by making a long-term, positive impact on women’s health.  To date, it is the premier organization advancing women’s health.

The organization does so by funding scholarships to students researching issues affecting women’s health; providing a forum for medical experts, scientists, doctors, and researchers to convey timely information on topics relevant to women’s health, and by funding research initiatives that improve the health of under-served women and increase awareness and advocacy in the community; bringing women's health research to a full cycle.

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Summary & Design prepared by Carolyn Northrup and revised by Carole Banka, PHD.  Shutterstock images licensed to Carolyn Northrup