Women's Health

                                                  2nd Caribbean Conference on Women's Health

The background behind this conference is that cardiovascular disease is now the number one cause of death for women worldwide, including heart failure and strokes. It appears that this subject is underexposed unfortunately among women from the Caribbean. And this while there is a steady rise in cardiovascular disease among women in the Caribbean, due to a poorer lifestyle: insufficient exercise, more overweight, and unhealthy eating habits. Most studies have been carried out on men, but the course and information on women are underexposed.

In addition, female hormones have an important influence on risk factors, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Women also have special risk factors, such as complications in (previous) pregnancies or premature menopause. Many menopausal complaints can be a sign of a higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Women also experience more rheumatic complaints and inflammatory diseases after menopause, which are also associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The life course of women therefore largely determines how diseases and risk factors are interrelated. Various disciplines such as cardiovascular disease and gynecology come together here.

Women are often the center point of the family, determine the weekly menu, and are also important in the health habits of others in the family. More awareness and attention to health among women, therefore, have a positive effect on the rest of the family. It takes a village for a healthy community.
In 2019, we organized The First conference on Women's Health in the Caribbean. It was a great success with approx. 150 participants and international speakers.
It is the explicit intention to attract international speakers, as well as a diverse group of participants to the congress. The program consists of lectures, Q&As, debates, and networking, in which many of the aforementioned aspects are discussed. The conference is interesting for many target groups, such as general practitioners, public health organizations, women's organizations, prevention NGOs, cardiologists, gynecologists, internists, etc. Together we are strong!