AIDS is now the leading cause of death in women worldwide

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently launched a report entitled Women and health: today's evidence tomorrow's agenda - the world's first comprehensive study of women's health around the globe. The report reviews evidence on the health issues that particularly affect girls and women throughout their life course, which is divided into four stages that have particular relevance for health.  The stages include early childhood (from birth to nine years), adolescence (from 10 to 19 years), adulthood (from 20 to 59 years, and including the reproductive ages of 15-44 years) and older age (from 60 years onwards). 

The report reveals the AIDS virus as the leading cause of death and disease for women in their reproductive years (15-44) followed by pregnancy-related conditions and tuberculosis.  Unsafe sex is the leading risk factor in developing countries for these women of childbearing age, with others including lack of access to contraceptives and iron deficiency.

Upon release of the report, WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan called for urgent action both within the health sector and beyond to improve the health and lives of girls and women around the world, from birth to older age. "We will not see significant progress as long as women are regarded as second-class citizens in so many parts of the world." said Chan.

The World Health Organization found that women provide the bulk of health care, but rarely receive the care they need.  90% of care for HIV/AIDS related illness usually provided in the home by women, yet women go unsupported and un reciprocated.  Other findings include that women live longer than men but the extra years are not always healthy. 

The report expresses the desperate need for policy change and action within the health sector and beyond.