The Well Woman Coalition of DuPage is a public/private partnership of over thirty health and human service agencies, organizations and community members. The goal is to plan education and outreach events that heighten awareness of women’s health issues and assist women in accessing quality healthcare. It is coordinated

through the DuPage County Health Department’s Breast and Cervical Cancer screening Program, "Why Wait?"

In May of 1996, the coalition met for the first time to address the need for earlier detection of breast and cervical cancer in DuPage County. The DuPage County Health Department received a grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health to provide free breast and cervical cancer screening and case management services to financially eligible women. Of particular concern were minority groups who often do not have resources for these services.

Since 1996 the coalition has expanded the focus to address other significant health issues for all women such as Cardiovascular Disease, Osteoporosis, Domestic Violence and Depression.

The Well Woman Conference Committee plans an annual Well Woman Conference held in October. Each conference provides health education and resources for women. The first three conferences drew more than 1800 women.

The Outreach and Education Committee created Public Service Announcements featuring a different women’s health concern each month. Local health professionals volunteered to tape the public service announcements and they were broadcast by radio in partnership with the College of DuPage.

The Pink Ribbon Committee meets monthly to plan activities that emphasize the need for early detection of breast cancer. Activities coincide with Mother’s Day events in May, and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.

The Adolescent Women’s Health Promotion Committee was formed monthly to address adolescent (ages 10-18) health issues.

The BCCP Quality Management and Advisory Committee reviews the results of evaluation tools and makes recommendations for the improvement of the "Why Wait?" program. meets quarterly to review results of the Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program client chart audit and client satisfaction surveys, to advise on quality improvement measures.

Monthly meetings of the Well Woman Coalition are held at the DuPage County Health Department on the first Thursday of every month from 9am – 10:30am 111 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois, Lower Level Conference Room #1.

For more information on the Well Woman Coalition of DuPage, call Bette Lawrence-Water (coalition chair) at (630) 682-7400, ext. 7095.