News Release

1996-52
July 4, 1996

Health Minister David Dingwall announces key participants for the Canada-U.S.A Women's Health Forum

OTTAWA - Health Minister David Dingwall today announced that Dr. Nafis Sadik, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ann Richards, former Governor of Texas, and Dr. May Cohen, Chair of the Canadian Medical Association Gender Issues Committee, will be among the key participants at the first Canada-U.S.A. Women's Health Forum being held in Ottawa, August 8-10, 1996.

The Forum is being co-sponsored by Minister Dingwall and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Donna Shalala. Three hundred delegates, 150 from each country, have been invited to share perspectives on women's health issues.

"The Women's Health Forum will be an important opportunity for Canadians and Americans to exchange information on approaches to, and experiences with, women's health issues and programs," Mr. Dingwall said. "It will help guide the policy-making process and promote collaboration on women's health between governments, health professionals and non-governmental organizations in the two countries."

As Secretary General of the United Nations International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo in 1994, Dr. Sadik called attention to the importance of addressing the needs of women. Dr. Sadik will speak to the Forum on Women's Health: Beyond Cairo and Beijing.

Ms. Richards, who as the Governor of Texas fought to make government more inclusive and increased the number of women and members of ethnic communities appointed to state posts, will address the issue of Women and Leadership. Dr. Cohen, recent recipient of the Federation of Medical Women of Canada Award for the Promotion of Women's Health, will chair a panel discussion on the changing concepts of women's health.

A number of other individuals prominent in the field of women's health nationally and internationally have confirmed their participation in Forum panels and workshops. They include:

• Dr. Pat Schroeder Former U.S. Congresswoman (Colorado, 1972-1995)
• Dr. Elizabeth Parr-Johnston President and Vice-Chancellor, University of New Brunswick
• Ms. Julia Scott President of the U.S. National Black Women's Health Project
• Dr. Carol Aschenbrener Chancellor, University of Nebraska Medical Center
• Dr. Hedy Fry Secretary of State (Multiculturalism)(Status of Women)

Minister Dingwall said, "I am extremely pleased that the Forum will include so many high-calibre people who have distinguished themselves through their work on women's issues generally, and women's health in particular."

Two panel discussions will address the topics: "Changing Concepts of Women's Health: Advocating for Change" and "Future and Emerging Issues for Women's Health in the 21st Century."

In addition to the two panels, workshops will focus on a broad range of topics such as health conditions and diseases (including breast cancer and heart disease), gender differences and gender- specific approaches, environmental and occupational health impacts, reproductive and sexual health, violence against women and health issues relevant to indigenous women.

Media Inquiries: Monette Haché
Health Canada
(613) 957-1803

Public Inquiries: (613) 957-2991