Event Information

Nurture Her, Nurture Them is proud to announce that we will be hosting Michigan's first-ever Youth Women's Health Research Symposium (YWHRS). Solely dedicated to the presentation of women's health and related disparities, the symposium will be held this fall. An exact date and location are set to be announced in the coming weeks. 

All students from grades 8-12 are welcome to participate, and anyone above grade 10 is allowed to be a YWHRS mentor and guide up to 3 students on their individual research projects this summer, from July 21st to September 18th.

The YWHRS will also be hosting professionals from various affiliated institutions such as the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and Oakland University.

Project Presentation

Participating students will be required to design and bring a poster to the event so that they are able to present their project to around 5 judges. We recommend that students use a trifold poster so that it is self-standing. However, if they desire, students may utilize a hard-backed posterboard, but they will be responsible for ensuring that the display is self-standing (this may include purchasing an additional easel).

Project-Specific Details

Evidence-Based Overviews

1) Synthesizes and explains the current scientific understanding of a women's health topic by reviewing and evaluating existing research.

Potential components: background, symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic techniques, treatment/management, current research (strengths and weaknesses), diagrams, disease pathways, infographics, conclusions, etc.

Potential topics: endometriosis, PCOS, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, preeclampsia, menstrual disorders, etc.

Secondary Data Analysis

2) Uses existing datasets to investigate trends, patterns, relationships, or disparities in women's health through original analysis.

Potential components: Research question, dataset description, population studied, variables analyzed, statistical methods, tables, graphs, trend analyses, correlations, interpretation of findings, limitations of the dataset, implications, conclusions, etc.

Potential topics: maternal mortality trends over time, adolescent pregnancy rates by state or region, breast cancer incidence by age group, cervical cancer screening rates, etc.

Comparative Research

3) Examines similarities and differences between two or more treatments, populations, healthcare systems, interventions, or approaches to a women's health issue.

Potential components: Background, rationale for comparison, comparison criteria, side-by-side analysis, benefits and drawbacks of each approach, outcome measures, key similarities and differences, supporting evidence, comparison tables, graphs, maps, conclusions, etc.

Potential topics: hormonal vs. non-hormonal treatments for endometriosis, different contraceptive methods and their effectiveness, maternal healthcare systems in different countries, urban vs. rural access to women's healthcare, etc.

Policy Analysis

4) Evaluates a healthcare policy, guideline, law, program, or public health initiative and its impact on women's health outcomes.

Potential components: Background, policy overview, intended goals, affected populations, implementation strategies, evidence of effectiveness, challenges and limitations, stakeholder perspectives, health outcomes, policy timelines, infographics, recommendations, conclusions, etc.

Potential topics: menstrual product access policies in schools, maternal health legislation and maternal mortality, HPV vaccination policies, paid parental leave policies and maternal health, breast cancer screening guidelines, sex education requirements in schools, etc.