HEALTH OF WOMEN

By student
‫منار عباس سلمان‬

Supervisor
‫ حقي اسماعيل‬. ‫د‬
 • Introduction
• Definitions and scope
• Life expectancy
• Social and cultural factors
objectives • Reproductive and sexual health
• Cardiovascular disease
• Breast cancer
• How does a woman take care of her health?
• References
Introduction
Thinking about women’s health requires taking several
things into consideration. It is important to know which
diseases and conditions are at the top of the list of
health risks for women, such as heart disease and breast
cancer. But dealing properly with matters that affect
health in daily life, such as premenstrual syndrome, birth
control, fertility, menopause, and others, constitute the
basis of enjoying a life full of vitality and activity for
many women.
Definitions and scope
Women's experience of health and disease differ from those of
men, due to unique biological, social and behavioral conditions.
Biological differences vary from phenotypes to the cellular biology,
and manifest unique risks for the development of ill health.[3] The
World Health Organization (WHO) defines health as "a state of
complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity". Women's health is an example of
population health, the health of a specific defined population.
Life expectancy
Women's life expectancy is greater than that of men, and they have
lower death rates throughout life, regardless of race and
geographic region. Historically though, women had higher rates of
mortality, primarily from maternal deaths (death in childbirth). In
industrialised countries, particularly the most advanced, the gender
gap narrowed and was reversed following the industrial revolution.
Despite these differences, in many areas of health, women
experience earlier and more severe disease, and experience poorer
outcomes.
Social and cultural factors
Women have traditionally been disadvantaged in terms of
economic and social status and power, which in turn reduces their
access to the necessities of life including health care. Despite
recent improvements in Western nations, women remain
disadvantaged with respect to men. The gender gap in health is
even more acute in developing countries where women are
relatively more disadvantaged. In addition to gender inequity, there
remain specific disease processes uniquely associated with being a
woman which create specific challenges in both prevention and
health care.
Pregnancy and Childbirth Services
Regular prenatal care is an important part of every pregnancy.
Pregnancy and childbirth services include:
Planning and preparing for pregnancy, including information
about proper diet, prenatal vitamins, and review of pre-existing
medical conditions and medicines used Prenatal care, delivery,
and postpartum care High-risk pregnancy care (maternal-fetal
medicine)Breastfeeding and nursing
Reproductive and sexual health
Women experience many unique health issues related to
reproduction and sexuality and these are responsible for a third of all
health problems experienced by women during their reproductive
years (aged 15–44), of which unsafe sex is a major risk factor,
especially in developing countries.[19] Reproductive health includes a
wide range of issues including the health and function of structures
and systems involved in reproduction, pregnancy, childbirth and
child rearing, including antenatal and perinatal care. Global women's
health has a much larger focus on reproductive health than that of
developed countries alone.
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death (35%) amongst
women globally.[136] The onset occurs at a later age in women than
in men. For instance the incidence of stroke in women under the age
of 80 is less than that in men, but higher in those aged over 80.
Overall the lifetime risk of stroke in women exceeds that in men.
The risk of cardiovascular disease amongst those with diabetes and
amongst smokers is also higher in women than in men. Many aspects
of cardiovascular disease vary between women and men, including
risk factors, prevalence, physiology, symptoms, response to
intervention and outcome.
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is most common type of cancer among women.
Globally, it accounts for 25% of all cancers. It is also among the ten
most common chronic diseases of women, and a substantial
contributor to loss of quality of life. In 2016, breast cancer was the
most common cancer diagnosed among women in both developed
and developing countries, accounting for nearly 30% of all cases, and
worldwide accounts for one and a half million cases and over half a
million deaths, being the fifth most common cause of cancer death
overall and the second in developed regions. In the Middle East and
North Africa, there were 95,000 cases of breast cancer in 2019
How does a woman take care of her health?
There is no specific age stage for a woman to start taking care of her health, but
she must follow a healthy lifestyle that ensures protection from diseases, especially
as she ages. Below are the most important daily tips to maintain your health:
1. Avoid stress: Because psychological stress increases a woman’s risk of developing
many health problems, it affects heart health and increases the chances of developing
many diseases such as depression. You get rid of it by relaxing.
2. Eating healthy foods and maintaining weight: The longer she maintains her
health, the lower her chances of contracting diseases.
3. Exercising regularly: another of the most important means of maintaining public
health.
4. Get an adequate amount of sleep daily: Sleep helps improve overall health
5. Avoid wrong habits: such as smoking and sitting with smokers, which causes what is
called passive smoking, eating unhealthy foods, and staying up late.
References
1. Austad1, Steven; Fischer, Kathleen (2016). "Sex Differences in Lifespan". Cell Metabolism. 23 (6):
1022–1033.
2. "Constitution of the World Health Organization". www.who.int. Retrieved 2024-04-25.
3. Gronowski, Ann M.; Schindler, Emily I. (2014). "Women's Health". Scand J Clin Lab Invest Suppl.
244: 2–7
4. Macfarlane, Sarah B; Jacobs, Marian; Kaaya, Ephata E (10 December 2008). "In the Name of
Global Health: Trends in Academic Institutions". Journal of Public Health Policy. 29 (4): 383–401.
5. Shara, N. M. (July 2010). "Cardiovascular disease in Middle Eastern women". Nutrition,
Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Diseases: NMCD. 20 (6): 412–418.
6. Eldib, Abdallah; Tashani, Osama A. (April 2018). "Infertility in the Middle East and North Africa
Region: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Prevalence Surveys". Libyan Journal of
Medical Sciences. 2 (2): 37.
Thank
You

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