About the Illinois Women's Health Registry

Historically, much of what we know about health and diseases comes from biomedical research conducted primarily in males. We now know that our biological sex (as defined by our sex chromosomes, XX in women and XY in men) plays a significant and distinct role in our health — far beyond the reproductive system. In virtually every medical discipline, there exist unanswered questions pertaining to women's health and well-being. However, as more women participate in research studies, finding answers to these difficult questions will become a reality. We present you with an opportunity to enroll in a cause that encourages the study of sex differences between women and men that affect the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.

If we want to improve knowledge about women's health for ourselves, our daughters, our granddaughters, and many generations beyond, then we need to assist medical researchers in finding the answers. To help women and medical professionals in Illinois find out why diseases affect women differently than men, the Women's Health Research Institute at Northwestern University created the Illinois Women's Health Registry.

The Illinois Women's Health Registry database will be used to assist investigators to better understand the relationship between health symptoms, health trends and disease by gathering data on large numbers of women. The Registry is intended to foster research in the area of women's health by serving as an informational resource as well as a recruiting tool. The Registry will also make a concerted effort to include women from diverse social classes and racial/ethnic backgrounds in order to promote diversity in research studies and clinical trials.

Why do some diseases affect women more than men?  Why do women respond to some drugs and treatment therapies differently than men?  What environmental factors and behaviors most influence women's health?

We don't know, but we want to find out.  And we need your help.

Please take the time to join the Illinois Women's Health Registry and help us gain a better understanding of women's health issues in Illinois.  The Illinois Women's Health Registry questionnaire takes about 20 minutes to complete, and can be completed a little at a time, so start filling yours out today!