The Fifth Annual Asian American Women's Health Symposium-"Life in Balance: Body, Mind and Soul" enriched the knowledge of FUSIA/CCIP students on healthcare issues they have often neglected. The symposium touched on topics such as urinary incontinence, arranged marriages and family dynamics, lead and pregnancy, breast cancer, adoption and cosmetic surgery.
Having started as a joint health education venture of four women dedicated to raising awareness of health issues affecting women, it is now in its fifth year running and continues to inspire providers, students and individuals from the community. Its planning committee members, Henrietta Ho-Asjoe, Administrator and the Director of Community Development, Anita Redrick McFarlane, Staff of the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service of New York, Rebecca K.F. Sze, Director of Women's Health's Service at Charles B. Wang, and Daisy Vazquez, Symposium Consultant, all greatly believed in the value of educating the public and students through this symposium.
"Everyone needs to be informed of the various health issues that concern them. With this information they can break down financial, linguistic, cultural and even structural barriers in obtaining quality healthcare," said Rebecca Sze, Charles B. Wang Community Health Center.
The ongoing and dedicated effort made to represent the health concerns of Asian American populations such as the Chinese, Koreans, South Asians and many others has cleared many students' healthcare misperceptions. "I did not expect there to be a network established for Asian American Women dedicated wholeheartedly to providing quality healthcare services," Xin Chen, a year 2 Civil Engineering student of the National University of Singapore.
"I was glad to have a chance to attend such an enriching event. Back in Hong Kong, chances like this are few and rare for students. This conference shows how dedicated these women are to reaching out to all women, regardless of the demographics," sand Man Tsing Hui, a year 1 Accounting student of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
