Objective. To increase the general public’s participation in the formation of women’s health policy.
Methods. An impact evaluation was done to assess immediate effects of health policy conference sessions on attendees.
Results. The Benton County Breast and Cervical Cancer Coalition sponsored a no-cost, action-oriented conference, “Our Bodies at Risk: A Women’s Health Policy Forum.” The purpose of this forum was to discuss how research, activism and legislation merge to create health policy. The survey results of this local, state, and national collaboration indicated that attendees were positively affected by conference sessions. Attendees immediately signed up to participate in legislative, research, or activism oriented groups. Action sessions were devised to open dialogue and transform attendees into policymakers. Each action session discussed possible legislative remedies to current women’s health issues. These issues were transcribed and then reformatted and sent to state legislators for policy consideration. A community-based event, the conference achieved its goal in creating awareness, discussion and action around women’s health issues.
Conclusions. A collaborative community-based, action-oriented conference can increase knowledge and provide community members with a forum for discussion on current women’s health issues. In addition, this action-based conference afforded attendees with the opportunity to voice their concerns and have policymakers attend to them. Community collaboration played a key role in developing a comprehensive no-cost forum that addressed participant’s health concerns by keeping an action-oriented agenda at the forefront of conference goals. Future conferences on women’s health policy will stress collaboration and research-based action to create policy.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the particpants will be able to 1. Discuss community involvement in the formation of women's health policy. 2. Recognize that health policy is formed by merging research, activism and legislation. 3. Devlop an action plan for creating a similar conference unique to individual communities.
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.