265145 Women's Health is Societies' Wealth

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Padmini Murthy, MD, MPH, MS, CHES , New York Medical College School of Public Health, Pleasant Valley, NY
Deborah Viola, PhD , Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Health Sciences & Practice, Valhalla, NY
Amy Ansehl, DNP, FNP-BC , Partnership for a Healthy Population, new york medical college school of Health Sciences and Practice, Valhalla, NY
A woman's health needs and the challenges she faces vary during her life span. According to a recent report released by the World Health Organization, heart disease, including stroke, is the leading cause of death among women in high-income countries, and the second most importance cause in low- and middle-income countries. Women in developing countries also face the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, even after controlling for education and household income, causality for these women differ markedly. Other factors that include a woman's life style, overall awareness/ education ,levels , stress status and level of empowerment within her community and family, in addition to the interplay of biological and social factors, also serve as deterrents to her health as they may result in limited access to health care and increase her exposure and vulnerability to risk. Just as critically, diminished health or ability to earn appropriately results in more women in all countries retiring in poverty. This presentation will present some of the challenges faced by women in their fourth, fifth, and sixth decades, incorporating a holistic perspective that goes beyond the more commonly considered determinants of health such as education , empowerment and socio- economic status. Strategies and public health policy initiatives developed globally to address the special health needs of women in this age group and the important role of NGOs to promote women's health in developing countries, will also be discussed.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Public health or related education
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1.Discuss the link between women’s health and factors influencing their health status during the life span. 2.Discuss why women’s health is society’s wealth with a focus on the economic advantages in the community. 3.Discuss policies and recommendations to promote women’s health across her life span.

Keywords: Women's Health, Gender

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been working as a health care professional for more than 20 years in various fields. I have presented at several national and international conferences published, edited a book on women's health and human rights . I have also been working in academia for several years and have been working with the United Nations and NGOs on women's health issues.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.