Women's Health Initiative (WHI)

Summary

To address cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis, the most common causes of death, disability, and impaired quality of life in postmenopausal women. The three major components of the WHI are: a randomized controlled clinical trial of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), dietary modification (DM), and calcium/vitamin D supplementation (CaD); an observational study (OS); and a community prevention study (CPS). On October 1, 1997, administration of the WHI was transferred to the NHLBI where it is conducted as a consortium effort led by the NHLBI in cooperation with the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the National Institute on Aging (NIA).

Conditions

• Bone Diseases
• Breast Neoplasms
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Colonic Neoplasms
• Coronary Disease
• Heart Diseases
• Myocardial Ischemia
• Osteoporosis
• Postmenopause

Interventions

DRUG

hormone replacement therapy

DRUG

estrogens

DRUG

progestins

DRUG

estrogen replacement therapy

BEHAVIORAL

diet, fat-restricted

DRUG

calcium

DRUG

vitamin D

BEHAVIORAL

dietary supplements

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

  collaborator NIH

• National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  collaborator NIH

• National Institute on Aging (NIA)

  collaborator NIH

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

  lead NIH

Principal Investigators

• Ross Prentice · Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Eligibility

Min Age

50 Years

Max Age

79 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Primary Completion

2005-03-31