For almost 100 years, Xavier University of Louisiana’s College of Pharmacy (COP) has been a leader in reducing health disparities, especially among underrepresented communities. Its Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education (CMHDRE) has played a vital role in maintaining this mission of the COP. Now, in the university’s centennial year, the CMHDRE is hosting a series of events to promote women’s wellness.

Upon its founding in 2004, CMHDRE’s initial focus was on the disparities among patients with diabetes-related illnesses. With support from faculty and staff, it has expanded its focus to include the social determinants of health, such as racism, policies, education, income, and the environment, which all contribute to health disparities, particularly among underserved communities. With this in mind, CMHDRE will host Women’s Wellness Week, Jan. 20 - 24, as a means to offer relevant solutions.

“The purpose of Women’s Wellness Week is to promote women’s health and specifically to spread awareness about cervical cancer,” said Dr. Tori Wiley, Xavier COP alumna and staff member for the CMHDRE. “January is Cervical Cancer Awareness month, so we hope that these events can bring community members together and elevate the discussion around cervical cancer and women’s health in general.”

Women’s Wellness Week events will include guest speakers, giveaways, health screenings, yoga, live music, and other presentations. While this week is primarily about women’s health, it will also discuss how cosmetics can impact health and HIV prevention and awareness.

“The purpose of the Center is to make an impact on reducing health disparities,” said Dr. Lakisha Williams, director of community engagement and outreach for the CMHDRE. “We do this by inviting the community into these conversations in an engaging and meaningful way. Series of events like these focused on women’s health are just one of the ways we go about reaching out to the community and spreading the awareness we need to reduce these disparities.”

The Women’s Wellness Week events are also made possible in part by the RCMI Grant awarded to the institution by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, a sector of the National Institutes of Health. The $25 million award is used broadly by the institution to research and develop strategies that can improve the health of underrepresented communities and specifically reduce health disparities.

 For more information about Women’s Wellness Week and the entire list of events, please click here.