Women's health: women's health is a global issue

Introduction

All over the world, women live longer than men.1 The largest differences are in eastern Europe, the Baltic states, and central Asia. In the Russian Federation women live 12 years longer than men; in most developing countries the differences are smaller, with women outliving men by only 3 years in Africa.

In developing countries, life expectancy for both sexes has increased from 40 to 63 years since 1960, and in countries with high incomes it is now at least 75 years.2 Only in Uganda and Zambia has life expectancy dropped—from 48 to 43 for women and from 46 to 43 for men—due to the impact of AIDS.1

Although women are living longer, they do not necessarily live better, healthier lives. In developing countries, communicable diseases, together with illnesses relating to childbirth, account for most morbidity in women (fig 1). In the developed world too, women are sicker than men, according to their own assessments of their physical and psychological wellbeing.3

Lesley Doyal, professor of health and social care at the University of Bristol, explains that “While women risk contracting the same endemic diseases as men, both biological and social factors may increase exposure or worsen the effects.” 3

Global influences on women's health

Some things affect women more often than men, regardless of where they live. These include poverty, changing demography (birth rates and an aging population), gender, violence against women, and lack of research …