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

Abstract #70545

Mariamne H. Whatley, PhD, Women's Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, National Women's Health Network, board of directors, Education, 1000 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706, 608-262-2463, whatley@education.wisc.edu

Women's health courses are offered on many campuses and are often in high demand by students. These courses often are focused entirely on biomedical issues and on personal health care, without putting these topics in broader sociocultural, political, and economic contexts. Students then see women's health in an entirely personal context, with the primary concern as how they can take care of themselves and make individual choices about health-related behaviors and healthcare. This paper discusses ways in which students can be encouraged to place their health concerns and decisions in a broader context and to recognize that health activism and advocacy are important components of seeking better health and healthcare for women. Drawing on over 25 years of experience teaching women's health at the university level, the presenter will discuss approaches to teaching women's health used in both introductory and advanced courses. The paper will present example of written assignments and discussion topics that combine critiquing of the biomedical research on a topic, the political and economic factors that influence the research, and the marketing of products and procedures. The paper will also explore the barriers and complexities of teaching from this interdisciplinary and political perspective in a conservative era.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: (
• discuss the gaps in existing college and university women's health courses and how those gaps influence students' views on health; (
• discuss the potential impact of teaching women's health by framing the issues in broader sociocultural, political, and economic contexts; (
• describe innovative approaches to teaching women's health that combine critiquing of the biomedical research, the political and economic factors that influence the research, and the marketing of products and procedures; (
• understand the barriers to implementing such approaches in the current conservative era.

Keywords: Education, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.