On May 3, the UCONN Health Désinities Institute (HDI), in partnership with the Commission of Women, Children, Elderly, Actions and Opportunities (CWCSOEO); Farmington
Chapter of the valley (CT) of the links, incorporated; The Aurora Foundation for women and girls; And the UCONN Institute for collaboration on health, intervention and policy, launched the month of women’s health by welcoming more than 100 women to the building of legislative office in Hartford. The participants gathered to learn, share and connect around a natural transition of life which has an impact on all women but is rarely discussed: menopause.
The event began with a projection of The (m) factor: shred the silence on menopauseA PBS documentary that explores menopause through personal stories, expert ideas and powerful truths. An animated and frank round table followed, moderate by Melvette Hill, Executive Director of CWCSOEO. The panelists included:
- Ivy M. Alexander, Uconn School of Nursing, health expert
- Jessica Kluewer-d’Amico, health psychiatrist and geriatric mental health specialist
- Feier Liu, Psychiatrist Uconn Health with mental and holistic expertise of women
- Carla Rae-Gunn Samson, Ob-Gyn and director of women’s health at Community Health Services
With the public, the panel explored the medical, psychological and cultural dimensions of menopause, emphasizing racial and ethnic disparities in care, symptoms and access to treatment.
In addition to the screening of the film and the panel, the resource tables of local organizations and our partners were present. These tables have offered information, support and precious tools linked to menopause and women’s health, giving participants access to practical resources and care routes.
“We were not only talking about. We learned, laugh and we loved it ourselves and our body, ”said Dr. Linda Sprague Martinez, director of Uconn Health Désinities Institute. “Menopause is a natural element in the development of women that has been neglected and pathologized for too long. If we do not talk about it, we cannot remedy it and we certainly do not understand it. All women experience menopause, and this has implications for family and community health. However, despite its widespread impact, it remains underdetermined, under the end and widely understood. ”
Each year, around two million women enter menopause. This natural transition brings physical and emotional changes that can deeply affect the well-being, relationships and quality of life of a woman. However, many women travel there alone, suffering in silence without access to health information, care or support they need.
Research shows that racial and ethnic disparities affect both menopause experience and the quality of care received. For example, the early appearance of menopause – more common in black and Hispanic women – was linked to an increased risk of heart disease later in life. In addition, heat puffs and night sweats tend to last longer than expected, especially for women of color:
- Black women: 10.1 years old
- Latinas: 8.9 years
- Non -Hispanic white women: 6.5 years
- American Chinese women: 5.4 years
- American Japanese women: 4.8 years
(Source: Poor health))
“We know that health care inequalities are omnipresent and that women’s health has not been a priority,” said Trisha Pitter, director of community learning and commitment to HDI. “Providers do not get the training they need to fully understand and support women throughout the living course. This is a problem. We prioritize the priority of menopause and menopause education to break the silence and approach inequalities in health care. ”
Real stories, real support
The heart of the event came from the participants themselves. Many women courageously shared personal stories on the management of symptoms such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings and joint pain, experiences that have often been both physically and emotionally overwhelming.
The members of the public expressed deep gratitude to have a space to finally speak openly.
In particular, men also attended to support their partners. A participant shared: “This event helped me understand what my wife is going through and how I can support her instead of standing on the sidelines.”
What comes then
While the event was coming to an end, a collective appeal for action was clear: “Take up what you learned in your communities. Keep the conversation, so no one has to face this natural transition alone. ”
HDI and its partners are determined to expand their efforts:
- Awareness and education on menopause in Connecticut
- Plead for inclusive policies and informed by research which favor the health of women according to their lived experiences
- Organize a celebration of menopause on a state scale in October to honor and authorize women at this stage of life
“We are committed to breaking the silence and putting an end to the disparities,” said Dr. Sprague Martinez. “It’s just the beginning.”
About the Uconn Health Institute Disapprities
HDI was trained in 2011 through a legislative mandate.
Our vision is health, education and fair economic opportunities for everyone in Connecticut.
Our mission consists in advancing systemic change by tackling the deep causes of health inequalities and implementing sustainable solutions thanks to community interdisciplinary research partnerships, data-based community action and labor development efforts with communities affected disproportionately by inequalities.