Promoting Health for you and future generations

The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) is a major research study of women and their health. It will help decide how diet, hormone therapy, and calcium and vitamin D might prevent heart disease, cancer, and bone fractures. It will also help identify any risks for these diseases. This is the first such study to examine the health of a very large number of women over a long period of time. About 160,000 women of various racial and ethnic backgrounds from 40 communities across the United States will take part in the study.

You may be able to join if you are:
a women 50-79 years old, past menopause or the "change of life", and planning to live on Long Island for at least 3 years

Few studies have focused on health concerns unique to women. Being a part of this important project will help you learn more about your own health. You will also help doctors develop better ways to treat all women. This study may help us learn how to prevent the major causes of death and poor health in women: heart disease, cancer, and bone fractures.

If you agree to join us, you will be scheduled for several study visits. These visits will include questions on your medical history and general health habits, a brief physical exam, and some blood tests. Based on your results, you may be able to join at least on of the following programs:

Dietary: In this program you are asked to follow either your usual eating pattern or an eating pattern low in fat and high in fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Hormone: In this program you are asked to take either hormone pills or inactive pills (placebos). If you are on hormones now, you would need to talk with your doctor about joining this program.

Calcium and Vitamin D: In this program you are asked to take either calcium and vitamin D pills or inactive pills. Only women in the Dietary or Hormone programs may join this program.

Health Tracking: If you are not able to join the other programs, your medical history and health habits will be followed during the study.

You will be in the study for a total of 8 to 12 years, depending on what year you enter the study. This period of time is necessary to study long-term effects of these programs.

If you join the study, your health will be followed by the staff at our center. Certain routine tests will be provided, although these are not meant to replace your usual health care. Depending on which program you join, you may receive study pills and dietary sessions. You will not have to pay for any study visits, tests, or pills. You will also have the personal satisfaction of knowing that results from the WHI may help improve your health and the health of women for generations to come.

If you are interested in joining or have any questions please contact the Women's Health Initiative via e-mail at: or call us at (516) 444-3905.

The University at Stony Brook School of Medicine has been at the forefront of research in women's health and is honored to have been chosen as one of 40 centers to participate in the Women's Health Initiative.
Dr. Dorothy Lane, Principal Investigator for the study at Stony Brook, is in the Department of Preventive Medicine and is nationally recognized for her research in breast cancer screening. Dr. Gabriel San Roman, co-Principal Investigator, is in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has considerable experience in national studies of hormone replacement therapy. They are joined by over 25 members of the Stony Brook faculty with interest and expertise relating to the various aspect of women's health and by a friendly, dedicated staff at the WHI Clinical Center.
You can help us find answers that could improve your health and that of your daughters, family and friends - now and in future generations. You can make a difference.
For your convenience we offer:
Free parking
Flexible appointment times

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