A State Senator who represents Queens is making women's health a priority in his district.

Senator Leroy Comrie organized a "Women's Health Empowerment Symposium" which was held at York College on Saturday.

The free, all-day event featured experts on cardiovascular health, diabetes, and nutrition.

"We're here to educate, empower, and hope that women will take better care of their health," said Marcelle M. Dinnall, a Queens healthcare adovcate.

Organizers said that it was important for them to address these health issues because, according to the Department of Health, heart disease and cancer are among the leading causes of death in the part of Queens where the event was held.

"We want to make sure that Queens, Southeast Queens, the levels of health is risen to a point where we will have one of the healthiest districts in the City," said Comrie, (D-Queens).

Numbers from the Department of Health also show that diabetes is the third leading cause of death in Jamaica and Hollis.