Keeping the Women we Love Healthy

Are we winning? The battle that started in 1989 regarding breast cancer research and  treatment and  has represented a 40% decrease in morbidity.  Awareness is Key!                                                             ### About the Doris A. Howell Foundation: The Doris A. Howell Foundation for Women’s Health Research is dedicated to making a long term, significant impact on women’s health with the goal of “Keeping the Women we Love Healthy.” It is the premier organization in San Diego focused exclusively on women’s health research and education. Through research scholarships, grants and educational events, we prepare young scientists for a career in women’s health research, fund studies specific to “at-risk” and underserved women, and educate the public on the latest research.     ...

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...

Pictured above: Dr. Howell with Farhain Husseign (First Row), Dr. Rose and Michelle Mirandon with Susan La and Lilian Sau  The 2017 Howell-UCSD scholars will be researching topics that range from Autism to HIV care for women.  A brief description of their studies showcases their incredible enthusiasm in following a career in women's health. The selection process followed by the Howell Foundation provides insight on the steps that these young scientists will need to follow throughout their career.  More importantly, it provide a glimpse of their thoughts on the state of women's health research in today's world.  One thing is for sure:  placing the need for women's health research at the forefront of the scientific community is the cornerstone of our work to ensure we continue to "keep the women we love healthy!" We invited our 2017 Howell-UCSD Scholars to talk to the audience about their passion.  Meet the students and their fields of study below....

It is no secret that exercise has numerous benefits for our body and our mind.  Going beyond the idea of losing weight and getting into shape, physical activity helps with depression, decreases heart disease and cancer risks, helps with osteoporosis and just overall makes us feel better. Exercise is one of the critical aspects highlighted in the Women’s Health Week Initiative from the Office of Women’s Health, along with nutrition, being safe, following up with our health through doctor visits, and taking care of our mental health. The 5 additional benefits of exercise that should get us moving: 1.- Dance like there is no tomorrow!  According to the Alzheimer’s Association, physical activity “improves cognitive function in healthy elderly persons, and potentially reduces the risk of developing cognitive impairment”.   For those of us who have danced to Salsa (even if we dance with our two left feet) know that being graceful is great exercise! 2.- Move over, M...

The need for women's health research is quite clear: women are at higher risk when being diagnosed and treated based on research conducted on men.  Personalized medicine needs to consider gender and sex, which ultimately starts with research at its most basic: the cellular level.  By understanding the physiological, psychological and social differences between men and women: Researchers can keep discovering new cures for disease based on the differences between men and women. Doctors can establish the necessary guidelines to treat illness specific to gender and sex –vs. a ‘one size fits all’ approach.  The pharmaceutical industry can develop targeted medications that effectively treat and cure illness in a sex-specific manner. Men and women can be informed and become advocates for their own health and, most importantly, their family’s health.    Understanding women’s health is a win-win for all of us, don’t you think?   From the Office of...

The Howell Foundation hosted its first North County event with key note speaker Janelle Ayers, Ph.D from the Salk Institute, who walked us through the history of the development of antibiotic resistance and how we fight disease in the twenty first century.  She is currently researching the pathways to winning the war against antibiotic resistance in bacterial infections. In the continuous fight to beat infectious disease, history has shown us that the use of antibiotics will kill the infection, along with the healthy bacteria that might keep us from fighting the infection.  Bacteria have genetic mutations that are resistant to antibiotics, and we, in turn, just keep on developing antibiotics to rid new strains of bacteria.  We are running out of of options in antibiotic development to beat infectious disease.  And the cycle continues... So the question still remains:  will our bodies be able to fight infectious disease on their own?  Her answer is ...