October 19, 2001

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health is sponsoring the third annual Illinois Women's Health Conference on Tuesday (Oct. 23) and Wednesday (Oct. 24) at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

The two-day conference will feature a broad range of topics, including treatment of breast cancer, headaches, depression, heart disease, women's access to health care and how the media targets women and sells them addictive products. Lt. Gov. Corinne Wood will address attendees on Wednesday during lunch, which begins at 11:30 a.m.

Wood's remarks will be followed at 12:30 p.m. by Jean Kilbourne, an author and lecturer from Boston, who will illustrate how advertisers and the media target women and sell them addictive products, such as alcohol, nicotine, diet products and prescription drugs. Her presentation also examines how gender-based stereotypes undermine female self-esteem and encourage addiction.

The conference's keynote speaker will be Dr. Carolyn Clancy, director of the Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, who will share her perspectives on women's health. She will speak at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday.

The conference will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday.