The Poplar Bluff Municipal Library is hosting a medical anthropologist with a groundbreaking women’s healthcare book.
“In Conversation with Kanwal Haq” is a presentation at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in the Main Branch campus. Haq, who grew up in Poplar Bluff, will introduce attendees to her book “Taking Care of You: The Empowered Woman’s Guide to Better Health.”
Library Director Shannon Midyett said Haq’s event aligns perfectly with the library’s goal of spreading literacy of all kinds — digital, information, medical and more.
“That’s what I’m most excited about, is that she really fits into that goal we have of really trying to do some information-rich services and programs,” Midyett said.
“I see the benefit to the community, too,” added Alora Bauer, the adult services librarian. “Women’s health is such an under-discussed or under-researched topic. And so I think there’s a lot of value in his book that she’s written and as a tool for women to be able to talk to their doctors about problems that they’re having.”
The book a cooperative effort between Haq and orthopedic surgeon Mary O’Connor, CMO and co-founder of Vori Health.
Haq was motivated by her own healthcare struggles to create a comprehensive medical resource for other women. Together, she and O’Connor recruited medical experts across multiple fields to discuss everything from arthritis to thyroid disease, and how diseases and conditions specifically affect women.
Each chapter is formatted to be informative and easy to read, Haq said, so women can find the knowledge they need and ask the right questions.
“It’s very much a tool in the form of a book,” she explained.
“Taking Care of You” is available to buy online and in e-book form at major retailers, and Haq will also be selling copies at a discounted price of $30 each. The book is in stock at the library.
The Poplar Bluff Main Branch is located at 318 N. Main St.