Search:

News and Events

Past ORWH-Sponsored Meetings and Events

ORWH-Supported Meetings and Conferences:

2007

8th International IACFS Conference on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia and Other Related Illnesses
January 2007
ORWH participants included Dr. Eleanor Hanna, who presided over several scientific sessions, and Dr.Vivian Pinn. Participation in this meeting helped to provide a better understanding of NIH support for CFS research.

Women’s Health Seminar: The Health of Girls and Women Across the Lifespan: Adolescents
June 2007
Presentations included: Sleep Behaviors and Adolescents; Physical Activity in Children and Youth; Obesity and Adolescent Girls: A Slightly Different Perspective; Addiction and Adolescents; Update on ADD Health Research Project.

Grantsmanship Workshop for Research on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
September 2007
ORWH will sponsor with the Trans-NIH Working Group for Research on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) a one day Grantsmanship Workshop for Research on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to provide extramural researchers with an overview of the diverse funding opportunities available through the NIH. The workshop will be held on September 17, 2007.

Uterine Fibroids Workshops
September 2007
ORWH is co-sponsoring with NICHD two scientific workshops on Uterine Fibroids in September, 2007 that will be held at the NIH. The first meeting on September 18-19, will focus on updating the science following the February 2005 International conference. The second workshop, scheduled for September 20-21, will finalize a classification system for uterine fibroids in order to better guide clinical treatment decisions and advanced research in this area.

Vulvodynia Awareness Campaign Press Conference
October 2007
ORWH launched a Vulvodynia Awareness Campaign at the National Press Club on October 24, 2007. Attendees included thirty-seven Federal and non-Federal partners, ORWH ACRWH members, ORWH staff, other NIH IC staff and members of the media. Information kits including materials from all partners were disseminated and are available online at od.nih.gov/health.vulvodynia.html. ORWH continues to monitor coverage and to utilize media contacts with its partners for further feature stories.

Women’s Health Seminar: Accept the Challenge: Stay Healthy! Focus on Nutrition, Exercise, Heart, and Bone Health
October 2007
Presentations included: Food: Nature’s Prevention Drug of Choice; Stop the Silent Thief: Maintain Strong Bones; How You Can Keep You and Your Heart Healthy: The Facts about Heart Disease in Women.

26th Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Research on Women’s Health (ACRWH)
October 2007
The 26th Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Research on Women’s Health was held October 23-24, 2007. Presentations to the ACRWH included an update on the structure and mission of OPASI; an overview of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s Reproductive Biology Research Programs; and comments on the Jefferson Science Fellowship by Dr. John Yeh. The FY 2008 NIH Priorities for Women’s Health Research were discussed and approved, and are posted on the ORWH website at: orwh.od.nih.gov.

NIH Working Group on Women in Biomedical Careers
November 2007
The ORWH and the NIH Working Group on Women in Biomedical Careers held the National Leadership Workshop on Mentoring Women in Biomedical Careers (November 27-28, 2007). This meeting, for which there were almost 600 registrants, will result in a report with a summary of recommendations.

Fourth Annual Interdisciplinary Women’s Health Research Symposium and meeting of the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) and Specialized Centers on Research on Sex and Gender Factors (SCOR) Principal Investigators
November 2007
In collaboration with the FDA and AHRQ, the ORWH held the Fourth Annual Interdisciplinary Women’s Health Research Symposium on November 15, 2007. This symposium highlighted the research successes of the BIRCWH and SCOR programs. ORWH and collaborating IC Staff met with the PIs of both programs to problem solve and network. Scholars from all BIRCHW programs also met with Dr. Pinn and had other informational sessions. ORWH also sponsored the second annual Congressional Policy Briefing for Scholars with George Washington University on Capitol Hill.

Scientific Workshop on Teen Dating Violence
December 2007

State of the Science Conference on Fecal and Urinary Incontinence in Adults
December 2007

2007 Women’s Health Special Interest Group Seminars

2007 Intramural Program on Research on Women’s Health (IPRWH): Lecture Series

2006

The Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Legacy to Future Generations of Women
February 2006
This conference was sponsored in conjunction with the NHLBI and the ORWH and was convened in Bethesda, MD, on the NIH campus. The WHI is a landmark study in women’s health and has important public health implications about the menopause and aging for women now as well as for future generations of women. This conference addressed many important findings from this study and included all center directors and PIs. Topic addressed included: Presentations on the results for the WHI dietary modification and calcium/vitamin D clinical trials; findings from the two hormone trials, which had been released earlier; a synthesis of complex information generated from the WHI observational study and all four clinical trials; discussions about the significance of the WHI findings for postmenopausal women’s health; recognition of the important contributions of the more than 161,000 women who participated in the WHI; and an overview of future WHI efforts, including opportunities for scientific collaboration, analysis of biospecimens, and the WHI Extension Study.

Developing New Standards for Autoantibody Measurement: Bringing Metrology to Serology
February 2006
Two of the largest health problems in the U.S. are autoimmune diseases and cancer, which, when combined, affect almost half of all Americans. Measuring circulating autoantibodies is an important part of clinical medicine, and there are many FDA-approved autoantibody tests that are currently available. The central technical feature shared by all autoantibody diagnostic assays is the capture of autoantibodies from serum using immobilized autoantigen. However, substantial variability in these tests has led to confusion about results and, therefore, questions concerning their utility in the diagnosis of disease. Currently, there are no autoantigen standard reference materials or standardized protocols. Moreover, there is little coordination among diagnostic developers, clinicians, and regulators regarding standards and best practices related to these tests. This workshop, which was convened by the National Institute on Standards and Technology (NIST), brought together leaders in autoantibody diagnostics, diagnostic testing, clinical laboratory medicine, and regulatory affairs to identify the fundamental and common metrology issues that underpin most antibody-based serodiagnostics. In addition, the workshop fostered partnerships and collaborations to develop the infrastructure and science needed to improve autoantibody-based diagnostics. This workshop was sponsored by the NIST, the NCI, the ORWH, and the American Autoimmune Disease Association.

Indigenous Suicide Prevention Research Programs in Canada and the United States
February 2006
This conference was organized by the NIMH, the Indian Health Service, Health Canada, and the Canadian Institutes of Health and held in Albuquerque, NM. It was supported by a number of sponsors, including the NIH ORD, ORWH, OBSSR, NIDA, NIAAA, and the National Library of Medicine (NLM), as well as other U.S. agencies, such as the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The conference brought together representatives from research, service, community programs, and governments from a range of countries, tribes, and villages located in Canada, the U.S., and U.S. territories. Presentations illuminated the current state of knowledge concerning indigenous people and efforts related to suicide prevention. Although suicide rates in young, indigenous males are among the highest in the U.S. and Canada, the rates vary dramatically across communities. Conference attendees were asked to address what research efforts, from the communities’ perspectives, are need to better address this tragic outcome that is very relevant to health disparities. Participants established a communication network to continue to share information about suicide and suicide prevention.

Women’s Health Seminar Series: Women and Sexually Transmitted Infections
March 2006
Presentations included: Gender Differences and STIs; Topical Microbicides; Prevention of STIs in Adolescent Girls; Community Perspectives on STIs among Adolescents and Young Women.

Progesterone Receptor Modulators and the Endometrium: Changes and Consequences
April 2006
This conference was organized by the NCI and convened in Bethesda, MD. The goal was to develop recommendations for regulatory interpretation of endometrial changes with chronic progesterone receptor modulator (PRM) treatment and to discuss what these recommendations might mean for future research. Questions were raised related to the validity of the concept of unopposed estrogen (E2) as an interpretation of endometrial response to treatment with PRMs. Conference topics included a review of the evidence regarding endometrial safety, classification of PRM endometrial effects, and methods to monitor endometrial safety in clinical trials and in clinical practice.

North American Integrative Medicine Conference
May 2006
The intent of this conference was to present the highest quality, peer-reviewed research in the field of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). It was considered a major forum for CAM researchers in North America to gather and exchange ideas and data. The conference was sponsored by a number of organizations, including the NCCAM and the ORWH, and was attended by more than 600 researchers and CAM practitioners. The conference showcased original scientific research through keynote and plenary presentations, oral and poster presentations, and innovative interactive sessions. Presentations addressed basic science, clinical research, research methods, health services research, and education as it relates to CAM.

Women’s Health Seminar Series: Caregiving
June 2006
Presentations included: Family-Centered Service: What Is It, and Why Should I Care? Lessons from Families of Children with Disabilities; Comparison of Emotional and Biological Parameters in Mexican American and White Male and Female Caregivers of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease; Systematic Review of Advance Care Planning and Caregiver Burden and Satisfaction with Quality of Care at the End-of-Life; The Task of Caregiving: Catastrophe or Celebration?

Regulation of Inflammatory Responses: Influence of Sex and Gender
September 2006
This workshop, which was co-sponsored by the ORWH and the NIAID, focused on the regulation of inflammatory responses and the influence of sex and sex-steroids on inflammatory responses. Managing these responses may influence disease risk. Participants at this workshop evaluated existing knowledge and concepts related to inflammation with the goal of developing innovative approaches to the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic diseases. They identified gaps in knowledge and research questions to be addressed in future research.

Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance 4th National Health Disparities Conference: Why Our Babies Die
September 2006
This three-day conference attracted approximately 200 investigators and physicians from across the country to discuss current research efforts on the disparities of infant mortality and morbidity in the U.S. This conference, Why Our Babies Die, was convened in Nashville, TN, and emphasized prevention efforts. Tennessee is ranked 48th in the nation in infant survival, and the state’s preterm birth rate is 47th in the U.S. Members of the local research and clinical population wanted to address these critical problems at this conference. This conference was sponsored by the NICHD, the ORWH, and other NIH entities as well the March of Dimes, Adeza Biomedical, Matria Healthcare, and Governor’s Office of the State of Tennessee. This support was critical to keep registration fees low for the many attendees from nonprofit agencies and health centers that serve medically underserved communities.

Fifth International Symposium on Hormonal Carcinogenesis
September 2006
This symposium focused on hormonal carcinogenesis in breast, prostate, ovarian, endometrial, colon, and lung cancers. INSERM, the French national health and medical research institute, organized the meeting and received support from the NCI and other organizations. It was held in Montpellier, France. The symposium addressed: (1) cellular origins of endocrine-related cancers, (2) mitotic kinases, centrosome amplification, and genomic instability, (3) new developments in steroid-receptor interactions, (4) risk assessment and relevant biomarkers for early disease, (5) novel strategies for prevention and treatment of endocrine-related cancers, (6) hormone dependency versus hormone independency, and (7) emerging fields in hormones and colorectal and lung cancers. Three state-of-the-art lectures were given during this conference. These lectures were titled Self-Renewal and Cancer Stem Cells, Ovarian Cancer: Linking Genomics to New Target Discovery and Molecular Markers: The Way Ahead, and Aurora, Polo, Nek, Cdk1 the Mitotic Bodyguards. Dr. Vivian W. Pinn, Director of ORWH, gave a special lecture on Women’s Health Research: Perspectives from the National Institute of Health.

FMR1 Premutation and Premature Ovarian Failure: Worldwide Community Guideline Development
October 2006
Increasingly, clinicians are responsible for engaging patients in discussions regarding available genetic tests, the results of which may have major implications for other family members. Premutations in the fragile X mental retardation 1 gene (FMR1) have been linked to altered ovarian function that may present as infertility, with low response to gonadotropin therapy, diminished ovarian reserve, or premature ovarian failure. This meeting, which was initiated by the NICHD, brought together recognized experts to present current perspectives on the management of women who may have altered ovarian function possibly related to an FMR1 premutation. Representatives from advocacy associations were invited to give presentations on community perspectives on this issue. Participants identified a need to establish standardized clinical definitions, terminology, and testing recommendations to facilitate research in this area. The meeting concluded with an open discussion of the proposed Worldwide Community Development Guidelines.

Anita B. Roberts Lecture Series: Distinguished Women at NIH
October 2006
The NIH Women Scientist Advisors (WSA) Committee, with support from ORWH, has announced a new seminar series to highlight outstanding research achievements of women
scientists in the Intramural Research Program at the NIH. The seminar series is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Anita B. Roberts, and honors her role as an exceptional mentor and scientist.
The first lecture in the series took place on Thursday October 26, 2006. Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D., Director of National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute and Chief of Vascular Biology and Genomics Section, National Human Genome Research Institute will be speaking about Genomic Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease.

2006 NIDDK International Symposium: Frontiers in Painful Bladder Syndrome and Interstitial Cystitis
October 2006
This symposium, which was organized by the NIDDK, focused on the current state of research and clinical treatment for painful bladder syndrome and interstitial cystitis. The goals of the meeting included increasing scientific awareness of interstitial cystitis and its treatments, providing a forum to discuss the definition and etiology of interstitial cystitis and painful bladder syndrome, and exchanging information and ideas on current and future research to treat this disease and its symptoms. Plenary talks, selected short talks, and a poster session provided a forum for interactions among investigators working across these areas.

Women’s Health Seminar Series: Stopping the Clock on Diabetes in Women: Strategies for Prevention and Treatment across the Lifespan
November 2006
The ORWH Women’s Health Seminar “Stopping the Clock on Diabetes in Women: Strategies for Prevention and Treatment across the Lifespan” featured national speakers on diabetes prevention and treatment. Dr. Griffin Rodgers, Acting Director of NIDDK, introduced the seminar.

Third Annual NIH Interdisciplinary Women’s Health Research Symposium and meeting of the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) and Specialized Centers on Research on Sex and Gender Factors (SCOR) Principal Investigators
November 2006
With support from the FDA, AHRQ, and several NIH Institutes and Centers, ORWH hosted the Third Annual NIH/DHHS Interdisciplinary Women’s Health Research Symposium in conjunction with the annual Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) and Specialized Centers on Research on Women’s Health (SCOR) directors’ meetings. Dr. Jonathan Li from the University of Kansas gave the Keynote Address on “Carcinogenesis and Cancer.” Researchers and scholars from the SCOR and BIRCWH program presented posters and oral presentations on their research accomplishments in women’s health and sex/ gender research.

Women's Health Special Interest Group Lectures
Women's Health Seminar Series
NIH Record articles on women's health

Twenty-third Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Research on Women's Health

Date: March 27, 2006
Location: Building 31, 6C Room 10
Time: 9 AM - 5 PM
Agenda

Conferences/Symposiums

2006

International Women’s Day: “Women in Science, Women in Health”

Date: March 8, 2006
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Lawton Chiles International House “Stone House” (NIH Campus) Building 16
Event Flyer and Agenda