Millions Will Be ‘Speaking of Women’s Health’ @ Wal-Mart.

The National Speaking of Women’s Health Foundation (SWH) will receive a big boost in reach this year from national sponsor Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wal-Mart will establish in-store education centers in all of its 2,748 stores nationwide and host quarterly “edu-tainment” events that provide information and health screenings to its women customers and associates.

Speaking of Women’s Health’s mission is to educate women to make informed decisions about their health, well-being, and personal safety. The organization hosts conferences in more than 30 cities reaching thousands of women with important health information and screenings.

“The Wal-Mart sponsorship with Speaking of Women’s Health increases our reach exponentially,” said Dianne Dunkelman, Speaking of Women’s Health president and CEO. “Over the past seven years we’ve grown from a local Cincinnati event to a national force in women’s health education. Now, with the support of Wal-Mart and our other national sponsors, our information will be accessible to tens of millions of women every week.”

National corporate sponsors, Wal-Mart, Procter & Gamble, Lifetime Television, and Guidant, are leveraging their collective assets behind SWH to reach out to women through conference and community events, in-store education centers, and a national health education television series.

“Speaking of Women’s Health does a tremendous job of helping women lead happier and healthier lives,” said Charlyn Jarrells Porter, senior vice president, people division of Wal-Mart Stores. “By bringing Speaking’s information into our stores, we’re trying to make a positive difference in the lives of our female customers and associates.”

“Brighten Up & Smile – Your Self-Esteem Will Soar” is the theme of this year’s Speaking of Women’s Health conferences, which kick off March 13-17 in Cincinnati. Thought leaders and self-esteem experts will lead discussions on the importance of a positive attitude and the steps to prevent low self-esteem in these full-day conferences. Five minority health initiative events, called “Universal Sisters,” will also celebrate being a woman with health information and screenings.

In addition to the conference schedule in 2002, Speaking of Women’s Health and its sponsors will continue to reach women through a variety of venues:

— Every day, Wal-Mart stores will feature a permanent women’s health education center featuring a variety of free health and wellness brochures on more than 23 topics, including diabetes, heart health, skin health, osteoporosis, menopause, and stress management.

— Every week, Lifetime Television will air Lifetime’s Speaking of Women’s Health on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. Eastern. The program is dedicated to keeping women on top of the latest health news that affects their body, mind, and spirit.

— Every three months, Wal-Mart will host in-store women’s health events, including health screenings, “pampering” demonstrations, product sampling, and pharmacist conversations.