Changing factors and changing needs in women's health care
Leslie, L.A.; Swider, S.M.
Nursing Clinics of North America 21(1): 111-123
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-6465 PMID: 3513129 Document Number: 353463
As a result of decreases in maternal mortality and infectious diseases, women's life expectancy has increased rapidly in this century and is expected to reach 83 years by the year 2000. However, there are a large number of chronic conditions that negatively affect the quality of life of women today: urinary tract infection, menstrual cycle disorders, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, eating disorders, substance abuse, and mental depression. Although women's life expectancy is 7.5 years greater than that of men, the morbidity rates are significantly higher for women. As women continue to enter the labor force in large numbers, questions are being raised regarding the physical and psychological hazards of jobs traditionally considered to be women's work, the risks associated with jobs that are physically demanding or involve exposure to toxic substances, and the association between pregnancy outcome and employment. Further research is needed on the effects of multiple role stress on women's health. Another recent trend has been the feminization of poverty: 2/3 of all US adults classified as poor are women. The lack of financial resources has a detrimental effect on nutrition, access to health care, and other preventive behaviors. Yet another social change related to women's health is the increasing number of elderly in the population. Women comprise 72% of the elderly poor, and over 80% of all retiring female workers do not have pension benefits. Access to, availability of, and payment for health care are problems for elderly women. It is important that research address the physiologic, psychosocial, and economic factors that together affect women's health status.