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Get information on diseases and conditions that affect older women. |
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Learn about medical research and Medicare |
Did You Know?
It is predicted that by the year 2003 people aged 65 and older will make up 20 percent of the population. And among those who live to age 85 or older, women are more likely than men to have more chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and heart disease. Yet, most of what we know about health has come from studies on men under the age of 70.
The need to gather information on older women is especially important because there are differences in how some diseases and treatments affect men and women.
Click here for more information on diseases and conditions that affect older women.
Your
Health
Researchers are constantly searching for ways to help people live longer
and improve the quality of life for seniors. Scientists are currently
conducting research to:
In order to conduct these and other exciting research studies, older women are needed to volunteer.
Your Help
You can help improve the lives of women everywhere by being a volunteer in a medical research study. A medical research study looks at a specific medical condition for a certain amount of time to better understand that condition. It does not replace the care provided by your regular doctor. You do not have to be sick to be in a study. Healthy women are needed.
We know a lot about how to treat and prevent disease, but much remains to be learned. Researchers need women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds to participate in studies. You can help lead a new age for women's health - an age in which women's bodies are understood just as well as men's.
Your Decision
Choosing to take part in a medical research study is a decision only you can make with the help of your family, friends, doctor, or nurse. The best study volunteer is an informed volunteer. There are many questions to ask before deciding to volunteer for a study. You should ask the principle investigator (the person conducting the study) or a member of the study staff the following questions:
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What is the purpose of the study? |
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What are the possible effects of the study medication and how do they differ from standard medications? |
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What exactly is done in the study, how is it done and by whom? |
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How long will the study last and how many times will I have to come the study site? |
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Are there any costs that are not covered by the study sponsor? If so, will my insurance or Medicare cover them? |
If you are thinking about volunteering for a research study, you should talk to your regular doctor or nurse about studies taking place in your area. You can also click here for information about research centers around the country.
Medicare
The federal government has recognized the importance of including older Americans in medical research and has approved new Medicare rules to make it easier for senior citizens to participate in research studies. Ask if these new rules apply to you. Click here to read more about these new rules.
Types of Studies That Are Available
Clinical Trials are studies that test a method of treating or preventing a diseases. This can be a new drug, vaccine, vitamin, device, or behavior change. Clinical trials are usually for people with a specific disease or risk for a disease, although healthy volunteers are sometimes needed. The new treatment is tested against the best available treatment. A placebo is only used if there is no effective treatment available.
Observational Studies watch people to find and compare changes in their health over time. Both healthy volunteers and those with a health problem can take part in observational research studies. Unlike a clinical trial, an observational trial does not test a medication or treatment.
How to Join A Study The Society for Women's Health Research has created tools to help you learn more about medical research studies and how you can participate. Here's how:
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Call the Society's toll-free number, 1-877-33CANDO (1-877-332-2636) to request a free information kit about medical research studies. The kit includes a description of different types of medical research, a list of research terms and their definitions, and a list of resources to help you find studies that interest you. |
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Order
the information kit on-line by clicking
here.
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Find out more about medical research today, because there are some things only you can do. Choosing to participate in medical research is one of them.
As a woman, your health matters to many people in your life - -your children, grandchildren, spouse, and friends. By taking part in a medical research study, you can improve knowledge about health and leave a legacy for all women.
