Introduction to women's health

Women live an average of 7 years longer than men and their life expectancy is expected to continue to increase. Because women tend to live longer, their health has a greater impact on themselves and everyone around them, including their children, parents, and anyone else for whom they provide care. In addition, despite recent gains in equality in politics and the workplace, women are still typically the primary caregivers when family members become ill. In order for women to continue in this vital care giving role, they must maintain their own level of health and wellness.

To do so, they need accurate and timely health information, access to resources, and support from health professionals so they can understand the significance of health in their own lives and take important steps towards living healthier and longer.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and outlookindia.com reports that the population is getting older as life expectancy nearly doubles. In the 21st century, over 20% of the world population is over age 65, compared with 1% 100 years ago. UNESCO projects that by 2030, 1 in 4 women in the United States will be over age 65. In addition, 1 in 5 women will be Hispanic, 1 in 11 will be Asian, and the number of Black and Native American women will grow even more steadily. By 2050, White women will make up about half of the adult female population in America. Thus, it's clear that our nation and the world face the challenge of meeting the health needs of an increasingly older, more diverse, more female population.

Successful treatment of existing illness is by no means a guarantee and, in some cases, is nonexistent.

The diseases that cause the most deaths in women are heart disease and cancers - particularly lung, breast, and colorectal cancers. The prevalence of these highly preventable diseases in women stresses the need for health promotion, illness prevention and life-style changes as the essential focus of women's health. Also, with the advancement of medical research and technology, we know that chronic diseases, including osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, and other autoimmune disorders, can be prevented or at least delayed. Health care professionals caring for women play an important role not only in informing them about disease prevention, health promotion and lifestyle changes, but also in reinforcing the massage that they must change their health for the better.

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