Tipper Gore’s visit to Ames as a featured speaker for a forum on women’s health issues was shortened Thursday due to inclement weather.

About 50 people attended the conference held at the Scheman Building, where the activist and wife of Vice President Al Gore was scheduled to highlight new administrative proposals for the improvement of women’s health care.

The purpose of the forum was for leaders, members of women’s advocacy groups, students and the Iowa State and Ames communities to voice their concerns and exchange information about women’s health issues.

Gore’s main focus has been on healthy living and improving medical care options for women older than the age of 50.

It is important for “your agenda to be the nation’s agenda,” she said.

Lt. Gov. Sally Pederson said Gore “practices what she preaches.”

During her short speech, Gore said she tries to stay in excellent health.

She said postmenopausal women face increased risks for diseases such as osteoporosis, breast cancer and heart disease.

“By the year 2010, 52 million women will be over the age of 50,” Gore said.

“That has a lot of implications, particularly when we look at the way media messages are all oriented toward younger women,” she said.

Gore also said she felt it was important to “set a strong foundation” for women of the future.

Christie Vilsack, wife of newly elected Gov. Tom Vilsack, also attended the forum.

The event was sponsored by the Partnership for Postmenopausal Women’s Health.