PCOS Challenge and Thomas Jefferson University Take National Lead in Addressing Critical PCOS Healthcare Gaps

PHILADELPHIA, March 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- PCOS Challenge one of the largest nonprofit support organizations for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), announces its national PCOS Awareness Symposia to help address seven critical education and healthcare practice gaps adversely impacting the physical, mental and emotional health of millions of women. These education and practice gaps are causing many women and girls with PCOS to struggle for years undiagnosed or ill-equipped to address the mental, emotional and physical issues that scar their social development and leave them exposed to numerous life-threatening related conditions. The PCOS Challenge symposia help address education and healthcare gaps by bringing together hundreds of patients and world leading researchers and clinicians for a day of sharing experiences, insights and the latest updates about the condition.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150316/182148
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150316/182149-INFO

PCOS is a genetic, hormonal, metabolic and reproductive disorder that affects 10 percent of women. It is the leading cause of female infertility and has devastating effects on women's and girl's quality of life due to symptoms including excess facial hair growth, acne, hair loss, depression and obesity. Women with PCOS constitute the largest group of women at risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The National Institutes of Health estimates 50 percent of women with PCOS will become diabetic or pre-diabetic before age 40. Additionally, some studies have shown women with PCOS to be at higher risk for endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer. Research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism also found women with PCOS are twice as likely to be hospitalized as other women.

Thomas Jefferson University is the Presenting Sponsor for the northeast PCOS Awareness Symposium which will be held in Philadelphia on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at The Hub CityView. Subsequent symposia will be held in Los Angeles on July 25th and Atlanta on September 19th.

"We are grateful to Thomas Jefferson University and all our sponsors for their national leadership on PCOS and commitment to women's health. There are people and organizations that talk about change and there are those who really move the needle when it comes to PCOS awareness, education, support and research. PCOS Challenge would like to recognize all our sponsors and presenters as true champions for women and girls with PCOS," says Sasha Ottey, Executive Director of PCOS Challenge. "For too long, the calls for help by millions affected by PCOS have gone unanswered. There are significant health and funding disparities around PCOS due to lack of awareness and prioritization. Despite affecting 10 percent of women, PCOS support, awareness and education organizations receive less than 0.1 percent of the corporate, foundation, government and community funding that other major health conditions receive. This lack of awareness and prioritization has led to well documented education and healthcare practice gaps impacting millions of women and families. Through the PCOS Awareness Symposia and our other efforts, we have taken a leadership role in addressing these education and healthcare gaps as well as the expressed needs of tens-of-thousands of PCOS patients."

"Thomas Jefferson University has always been a national healthcare leader, especially on issues of such importance to women's health. We are proud to partner with PCOS Challenge to put on the PCOS Awareness Symposium in Philadelphia. This is a much needed event for the northeast region. PCOS is an underserved area of women's health that deserves significantly more attention. We hope that other leaders will join us to help improve the lives of those affected." says Dr. Katherine Sherif, Director, Jefferson Women's Primary Care, Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Medicine at Thomas Jefferson University.

The PCOS Awareness Symposium Philadelphia presented by PCOS Challenge and Thomas Jefferson University will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 from 9AM – 5PM at The Hub CityView located at 30 South 17th Street, Suite 1410, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Other symposium sponsors include Baxter International Inc., Abington Reproductive Medicine, Theralogix Reproductive Health, Penn PCOS Center, the American Electrology Association, Ideal Image, PCOS Nutrition Center, Chiral Balance, Sesa Coaching and Fairhaven Health.

For more information on the symposium or sponsorship opportunities, visit http://www.pcoschallenge.org/symposium.

Contact:
William Patterson
(404) 855-7244

SOURCE PCOS Challenge, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.pcoschallenge.org