Women's Health Council

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Mission Statement

The Women's Health Council (WHC) was established in December of 1995 to foster the public health agenda as it relates to diseases and conditions most affecting women, and stimulate program activities that will prevent and control these diseases/ conditions. The WHC, known first as the Women's Health Committee, then the Women's Health Task Force and finally in 1997 as a full Council, began activities with an educational grant from Merck & Co., Inc. Since its inception, the Council has focused on osteoporosis prevention, detection and control. Osteoporosis affects women four times more often than men and had been relatively ignored by the public health community, despite the fact that it was prevalent, preventable and treatable. It was the Council's intent to bring to this devastating disease the type of priority and commitment now accorded breast cancer. We sought to heighten awareness, support advocacy, provide technical assistance and resources, and instill a sense of need and urgency for action among our chronic disease colleagues. The following list of achievements reflects the progress made by the Council since its recent beginning. Sought and received funding of $548,000 from December 1995 to January 2000. Provided 51 mini-grants to encourage program development in 32 states and 3 US territories. Developed and disseminated 5,000 Osteoporosis Tool Kits to assist in program development and implementation. In 1999 the kit was revised, updated and renamed the Osteoporosis Resource Guide. Developed and disseminated 1,000 Guides to Best Practices in Public Health Osteoporosis Programs, which will soon be reprinted. Developed a Women's Health Strategic Plan, presented at the 1998 CDC Chronic Disease Conference. Sponsored a very successful workshop, Osteoporosis... If You Can't Show Me the Money, Show Me the Way, attracting over 175 chronic disease program managers. Sponsored and produced a national Osteoporosis Videoconference, targeted to state chronic disease staff and other public health professionals interested in women's health. The videoconference reached 37 states at 135 sites. Conducted a follow-up survey with mini-grant recipients to determine outcomes generated by the funding. Many of these achievements were made possible by funding support from Merck & Co., Inc., and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Contact Information

Women's Health Council
2872 Woodcock Boulevard, Suite 220
Atlanta GA 30341

Phone: 770-458-7400
Fax: 770-458-7401
Website: http://www.chronicdisease.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3308