The BWHS aims to gather information on many conditions that affect African-American women — breast cancer, lupus, premature birth, hypertension, colon cancer, diabetes, uterine fibroids. Over 64,500 women were recruited in 1995 via mailed questionnaires to subscribers to Essence magazine and members of several professional organizations in the United States of America. Participants are followed up with a survey every two years and through linked medical records and mortality data. There are a number of additional sub studies that participants can participate in.