3 things I learned at the WAM Forum luncheon in Las Vegas!

I was so delighted to be invited to attend the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement forum networking breakfast and luncheon yesterday. Such an incredible group of people brought together to find collaboration and solutions for women’s health. Our bodies are pretty intertwined. Brain health is heart health and that is bone health and on an on. Anyway, when it comes to women’s health, what happens in Vegas does NOT stay in Vegas. Here you go:

⭐ We can prevent and even sometimes reverse the disease in women with lifestyle factors. Don’t eat sugar. Don’t eat processed crap. Get rid of industrialized grains. Exercise. Move your body. Meditate. Do some yoga. Lift weights. Use HRT when appropriate. Basically, take care of yourself. The one (obvious) observation that was slightly annoying was the declaration that “heavy drinking” is defined by 7 drinks a week or more. Afterwards, I cornered Erin Mulcahy Stein and said how upset I was to learn 7 drinks a day was too much. She said, “oh no, per week!” And I replied, “Yes, I heard you. But we’re in Vegas.”

⭐ Don’t forget the carers. In an honest and emotional speech, Emma Hening Willis talked about her husband, Bruce Willis’, diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and the effect this has had on her family. Turned advocate for education and support to caregivers, she has compiled much of what she has thus far learned in her upcoming book, “The Unexpected Journey.” She brought the audience to tears and reminded us all that the diagnosis doesn’t stop at the patient. When my mother was ill, it affected—and continues to affect—my entire family long after she passed. We need to better support those for whom the days can be long and lonely.

⭐ The world is more stable than many of us feel. We heard over and over that—despite what we may hear—there is a clear recognition of the importance of women’s health on Capital Hill. Maria Shriver reminded us this was the time to double down in our determination. We heard from true insiders about the boots on the ground work to protect funding for the WHI, access to care and ongoing research into diseases that affect women only, differently, or disproportionately. I was lucky enough to sit with the 3 mayors of Las Vegas—all women! They said life there is pretty nonpartisan and they feel pretty positive.

And here’s your bonus number 4: it is hard to turn me bright red and shaky. I’m an unfiltered middle-aged woman. But check out my face when standing next to one of journalism and women’s health advocates GOAT.