Womens Health

Women today enjoy greater health than at any other time in history. Not only do women live longer (in the past 100 years, the average lifespan of women in developed countries has more than doubled—to 80.0 years), but thanks to access to a wealth of health-related information via the Internet and other resources, they are in a better position than ever before to take charge of their health.

Fortunately, most women in this country no longer die of childbirth, tuberculosis, or pneumonia, among the leading causes of death in the United States 100 years ago.¹ However, as a result of unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles, women today are faced with a whole new array of health concerns, including:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD). One in three American women dies of heart disease. In 2003, nearly twice as many women died of cardiovascular disease (both heart disease and stroke) than from all cancers combined.²
• Cancer. Cancer is the second leading cause of death of women in the United States. The three most common cancers among women are breast, lung, and colorectal.³ Although incidence rates for all cancers combined remained stable for males, they have increased for females.⁴

• Obesity. Approximately one out of three women in the United States are obese, defined as an adult with a body mass index of 30 or above.⁵ Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and some cancers.

• Reproductive health. Important at every stage of life, reproductive health is essential in reducing the risk of birth defects and pregnancy related problems, and in ensuring the birth of a healthy baby.
• Stress. Left untreated, stress can weaken a woman’s immune system and hamper her body’s ability to fight disease. Stress has been linked to all of the leading causes of death, including heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis, and suicide. Their multiple roles as caregivers, wage earners, wives, and mothers may put women at higher risk of chronic stress.
• Autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus, affect women three times more often than men, and most frequently in their child-bearing years.
• Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis threatens the health of 44 million Americans, nearly 70 percent of whom are women. Half of women over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime.⁶

Gender does make a difference

Historically, little credence has been given to gender differences in the development of new medicines and other treatments. Fortunately, this view is changing. Current research suggests that although men and women may get the same diseases, their symptoms, disease progressions, and responses to therapy aren’t always the same.

Consider the following:

• While cardiovascular disease and cancer are the leading causes of death in the United States for both men and women, more men are affected than women, and men are likelier to be stricken at a younger age.⁷
• Women are more likely than men to die from a heart attack. Forty-two percent of women who have heart attacks die within a year, compared to 24% of men. Women under age 50 who suffer a heart attack are twice as likely to die then men under age 50.⁸
• Three million women die from stroke every year. Women are more likely to die from a stroke than men (11% versus 8.4%). Stroke accounts for more deaths among women than men (11% vs. 8.4%).⁹ While women have many of the same symptoms as men, they also have unique symptoms, such as sudden face and limb pain, hiccups, nausea, general weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations.¹⁰
• Thyroid cancer is more prevalent in women. Lung, kidney, bladder, and pancreatic cancer are more common in men. While men are more likely to diagnosed with cancer, women are more likely to survive.¹¹
• Women are twice as likely as men to report being depressed; however, men are 4 times more likely to commit suicide.¹²

Good health—it’s easier than you think

Sadly, many of the major health issues women face today are linked to chronic disease and may actually be preventable. The good news is, just a few simple steps can help women improve their overall health and well-being. These include:

• Eating a healthier diet. Whole grains, legumes, and vegetables (especially the dark-green leafy variety) are not only rich in nutrients but they are also lower in calories.
• Starting a daily exercise regimen. Among other benefits, regular aerobic exercise reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by improving blood circulation throughout the body. Weight bearing exercise has been shown to increase bone density and lessen the risk of osteoporosis. Even low to moderate intensity activities such as walking the dog, stair climbing, and gardening can provide significant benefits.
• Taking quality, targeted supplements. Studies suggest that concentrated levels of certain nutrients—at doses that are difficult to obtain from diet alone—may be beneficial in supporting overall health. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all women of childbearing age—and especially those who are planning a pregnancy—consume about 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) of folic acid every day.