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

The two-day conference will feature a broad range of topics, including pain management, breast cancer, depression and female sexuality.

The highlight of the seminar will be a panel discussion on the latest research regarding hormone replacement therapy. Speakers will address the effect of hormone replacement therapy on menopause symptoms, heart disease, cognitive thinking, cancer and osteoporosis.

A presentation will be held on obesity and diabetes, both of which are on the rise, especially among minority groups in the United States. In addition, a speaker will discuss the "The Price of Beauty" and the public's desire for treatments such as Botox® and collagen.

The conference's keynote speaker will be Dr. Frances Ashe-Goins, a deputy director in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Women's Health, who will share her perspectives on health issues facing women today. She will speak at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The conference will be held from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and 8:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday.