SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health is co-sponsoring an African-American Women's Health Day on April 12 at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Van Buren in Chicago.

"Healthy Me 2003 and Beyond" will focus on African-American women of all ages and offer workshops on heart disease, diabetes, breast and cervical cancer, life changes, sexual health and depression.

The conference will address the fact that, while women live longer than men, they are not necessarily living better. Women are more prone than men to certain medical conditions, including osteoporosis, lupus, thyroid disease and depression. African-American women are at greater risk for diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension and HIV/AIDS than the general population.

The conference's keynote speaker will be Hermene Hartman, publisher and chief executive officer of N'DIGO.

The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Registration is $5 at the door and includes a continental breakfast and lunch. The conference site offers free parking and is wheelchair accessible.

Sponsors joining the Illinois Department of Public Health in hosting the conference include Amerigroup, Malcolm X College, the Minority Health Association and numerous community organizations serving African-American women.

Those interested in registering or obtaining addition information about the event should call the Department's Women's Health-Line at 1-888-522-1282 or TTY (hearing impaired use only) 1-800-547-0466.