Worried about rape, nutrition or health care? Several programs and lectures from the University of Pennsylvania address these concerns.

Rape defense

The Penn Police Department is offering the Rape Aggresion Defense (RAD) program this fall. It provides women with practical defense techniques and realistic, hands-on training. These multi-session courses are open to women only and are free to faculty, staff and students of Penn.

All programs are held at Penn Police Headquarters at 4040 Chestnut St. Preregistration is required.

To register, contact Stacey Livingston by phone at (215) 898-4481, by e-mail at stacey2@pobox.upenn.edu or in person at the Police Headquarters.

Saturdays, Oct. 20 and 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mondays, Oct. 22 and 29 and Nov. 5 and 12, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Saturdays, Nov. 10 and 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Health lectures

The University of Pennsylvania Health System offers a number of free lectures that cover a range of topics, including nutrition and exercise; money advice for seniors; and seminars on low vision. The programs are aimed primarily at people over 50 years of age.

Preregistration is not required for most lectures.

Cornerstones of Health: Nutrition & Exercise Dietician Fran Burke will talk on nutrition in the morning, and after a lunch break, nurse practicioner Joyce Ross will talk about exercise at 12:15 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 24, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
First Floor Conference Room, Philadelphia Heart Institute Building, Presbyterian Medical Center, 39th and Market streets

Low Vision Seminars Janet Steinberg, director of PENN Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation & Research, will lead.

Thursday, Nov. 1, 2 to 3 p.m.
Zubrow Auditorium, Pennsylvania Hospital, 8th and Spruce streets

Thursday, Nov. 8, 1 to 2 p.m.
PENN Eye Care/Scheie Eye Institute Auditorium, 39th and Market streets

The Graying of America, Making Sense of the Future Donald E. Graves, Dean of the Institute for Senior Financial Education, will talk about where to live, where to invest money and how to leave a legacy.

Thursday, Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Ralston Wellness Center, 36th and Chestnut streets

What Happens When Seniors Need Money? Donald E. Graves, Dean of the Institute for Senior Financial Education, will talk about where to get money, how to get and protect it, and how to smell a wolf.

Thursday, Nov. 15, 10:30 a.m. to noon
Ralston Wellness Center