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Southern California Women's Health Conference and Expo

The Southern California Women's Health Conference and Expo is an annual event held in Pasadena, California, to address health disparities in the San Gabriel Valley community and to improve health outcomes for women through free workshops and health screenings. The conference has educated more than 30,000 women since its launch in 2000. Participants also learn about key health legislation from California political representatives who attend the conference.

According to a Community Health Needs Assessment of the East San Gabriel Valley conducted by Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park and Citrus Valley Health Partners, mental health, obesity and diabetes topped the list of health concerns for this region. Some of the other health priorities are: oral health, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, vision, asthma, alcohol and substance abuse, Alzheimer's disease, STDs/HIV, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, injury and infant mortality.

Access to healthcare remains an issue for San Gabriel Valley residents, with 24.3% still lacking health insurance. Women in the San Gabriel Valley also face an increased risk of death due to breast cancer compared to 57 other areas of California, with an annual death rate of 23.9 deaths per 100,000 females.

Annually, the conference brings together more than 2000 women, community-based health organizations, medical professionals, and beauty and wellness experts. Designed to empower women to make better decisions about their health, the day-long event offers information on female-related health issues, available services and resources, and ways to influence health policy. The event attracts a diverse group of women from the region, with 40% of the attendees identifying as African American/Black, 10% Asian, 30% Hispanic and 16% Caucasian.

The conference includes 27 free workshops on a wide variety of health issues, from the latest cancer research to how to treat aching hands. Free health screenings and flu vaccinations are also offered as well as samples, makeovers and demos from beauty, health and fitness experts. Conference attendees are also invited to attend a luncheon featuring a Keynote Speaker and a fashion show.

The Southern California Women's Health Conference and Expo is hosted and presented by Community Women Vital Voices, a 501c(3) organization, in partnership with several key Southern California community and service organizations. Lena L. Kennedy leads the organizing committee comprised of more than 80 organizations. The conference is supported entirely by donated resources, volunteers from the community, in-kind donations, gifts, and the generosity of its sponsors.

In 2015, the conference is expanding to include men who are invited to join the event with the addition of a "Man Cave", a designated area in the Pasadena Convention Center where men can relax and engage in recreational activities as well as healthy seminars addressing men's health issues. The Man Cave will also feature a hosted luncheon with elected officials.

The conference is free to attend but advance registration is required for workshops. Registration is available online at the Southern California Womens' Health Conference and Expo's website.