Hadassah's Coalition for Women's Health Equity Convenes Women's Health Empowerment Summit in Washington, DC on May 17 For National Women's Health Week (May 14-20)

NEW YORK, May 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The inaugural Women's Health Empowerment Summit, hosted by the Coalition for Women's Health Equity, is scheduled for May 17 in Washington DC, announced Ellen Hershkin, national president of Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA), the convener of the Coalition.

The 2017 Summit takes place during National Women's Health Week (May 14-20) of which Hadassah is a National Supporter. The half-day event will bring together women's health policymakers, advocates and thought leaders to identify legislative opportunities and align mobilization efforts to advance women's health equity. Rear Admiral Susan J. Blumenthal, MD, who served as the country's first Deputy Assistant Secretary for Women's Health and US Assistant Surgeon General, will serve as keynote speaker. Dr. Blumenthal's pioneering work helped expose inequities in women's health. She developed a broad range of initiatives and public/private sector partnerships to address critical women's health issues and the study of sex differences across the life cycle. 

The 2017 Women's Health Empowerment Summit will take place on May 17 from 10 am – 2 pm at the Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington DC. For more information, visit: www.hadassah.org/Summit.

The Women's Health Empowerment Summit's bipartisan Honorary Host Committee includes: Sen. Susan Collins (ME); Sen. Dianne Feinstein (CA); Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY); Sen. Patty Murray (WA); Sen. Elizabeth Warren (MA); Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03); Rep. Brenda Lawrence (MI-14); Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01); Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY-12); Rep. Linda Sanchez (CA-38); Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09); Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23); Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-43).

The 2017 Women's Health Empowerment Summit will feature policy briefings on women's health issues, testimonials from patients and medical professionals and opportunities to network and align mobilization efforts.  With a rapidly changing legislative landscape, the 2017 Summit will focus on action strategies to further women's health equity -- from prevention and diagnosis, to treatment and cure. The 2017 Summit will also highlight how key advances in women's health equity have been achieved and identify the next frontiers -- including the emerging scientific, economic and advocacy solutions to improve women's health.

Rear Admiral Susan J. Blumenthal, MD, states, "In the past, lack of attention to the health of 51% of the US population -- women -- has resulted in striking gaps in scientific studies and inequities in their health care. While significant progress had been made over the past two decades, women's health issues are being threatened in the current political environment and much more work needs to be done.  A new national prescription is needed that increases investments in women's health, ensures that sex differences in research are evaluated and reported, expands access to quality health care, educates the public and providers about gender differences, and makes the prevention of disease a top priority. The results should be a healthier future for women -- and men -- in America."

Hershkin, who will open the 2017 Summit, states, "Women's health impacts all aspects of our lives and society -- from the classroom and workplace, to our communities, family life and more.  Eliminating disparities and discrimination in women's health is the top priority for the Coalition for Women's Health Equity.  The inaugural Women's Health Empowerment Summit will mobilize the resources of Hadassah, our Coalition partners and other key stakeholders in the fight for positive policy change."

The 23-member Coalition for Women's Health Equity, which has nearly doubled in size since its 2016 launch, was convened by Hadassah to address inequities in quality of care, funding, support and gaps in women's health awareness. The Summit helps further the Coalition's mission to publicly promote policies in support of gender equity in medical prevention, research, access and treatment, and will raise awareness about how that lack of equity adversely affects women and families throughout the United States. 

Hadassah CEO and Executive Director Janice Weinman, who will close the 2017 Summit, adds, "Women of all ages understand that there is no sidestepping the importance of quality, equitable health care. We see the enthusiasm and momentum from women across the country – young and old, experienced advocates and novices alike. We call upon women nationwide to unite with us on the front line of advocating for women's health at every stage of our lifespan."   

Coalition for Women's Health Equity Member Organizations:
Alliance for Aging Research; Alzheimer's Foundation of America; American Association of University Women; American Heart Association; Black Women's Health Imperative; Breast Cancer Prevention Partners;  Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA) (convener); HealthyWomen; Institute for Women's Health and Leadership of Drexel University College of Medicine; Jewish Women International; National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health; National Council of Jewish Women; National Organization for Women; National Partnership for Women & Families;  National Women's Law Center; National Women's Political Caucus; Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Preeclampsia Foundation; Society for Women's Health Research; Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) Alliance; Vision 2020; WomenAgainstAlzheimer's and WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. For more information, visit: www.hadassah.org/womenshealthequity

Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA) is the largest Jewish women's organization in the United States. With 330,000 members, Associates and supporters Hadassah brings Jewish women together to effect change and advocate on critical issues such as medical care and research, and women's empowerment. Through the Hadassah Medical Organization's (HMO) two hospitals, the world-renowned trauma center and the leading research facility in Jerusalem, Hadassah supports the delivery of exemplary patient care to over a million people every year. HMO serves without regard to race, religion or nationality and earned a Nobel Peace Prize Nomination in 2005 for building "bridges to peace" through equality in medical treatment. For more information, visit www.hadassah.org.

SOURCE Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA)

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