The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

3088.0: Monday, November 17, 2003 - 9:30 AM

Abstract #69137

Healthy choices: Coming into our own

Judith A. Costlow, MS, New Mexico Department of Health, Public Health Division, 712 Gonzales Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501, 505-820-1036, j.costlow@att.net

As Baby Boomers begin to reach retirement age, we will be faced with many choices for living at our own optimal health levels. These decisions include lifestyle choices - smoking or not, exercising or not, eating well or not, as well as choices that may include medications for chronic disease and other health problems. In this paper, we will look at questions to ask our health care providers about drug treatments. These questions will include what are the so-called "side effects," and possible synergistic reactions, not only with drugs, but with alternative treatments, including herbs. What are the tests that were done to prove the drugs' efficacy? How would I know whether the drugs/herbs will work for me? This discussion will focus on these specific questions and how to raise them when talking to our health care providers.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Women's Health, Health Care

Related Web page: none

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.

Women's Healthcare Choices in the Second Half of Life

The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA