Isabelle de ZoysaSenior Adviser HIV/AIDS

9 November 2009

Today's evidence, Today's evidence, tomorrow's agendatomorrow's agenda

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AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

The editorial committee (Carla AbouThe editorial committee (Carla Abou--Zahr, Zahr, Claudia GarciaClaudia Garcia--Moreno and Isabelle de Zoysa)Moreno and Isabelle de Zoysa)

With a large team from across WHO, With a large team from across WHO, and a host of contributorsand a host of contributors……

Under the guidance of Tim Evans, Assistant DirectorUnder the guidance of Tim Evans, Assistant Director--General, Information, Evidence and Research, and Daisy General, Information, Evidence and Research, and Daisy

Mafubelu, Assistant DirectorMafubelu, Assistant Director--General, Family and General, Family and Community Health, World Health OrganizationCommunity Health, World Health Organization

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Structure of the presentationStructure of the presentation

Women's health through the life-courseUnderstanding

women's health

Developing an agenda for women's health

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MethodsMethods

Uses data currently available to WHO

Takes a life-course approachGirl child ► adolescent girls ► women of reproductive age

► adult women ► older women

Includes all regions of the world

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Understanding women's healthUnderstanding women's healthin the world todayin the world today

Increasing life expectancy

The health transition

Diversity and inequities between countries and within countries

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Life expectancy at birth is increasingLife expectancy at birth is increasing-- in most, but not all parts of the worldin most, but not all parts of the world

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The health transition: the rise in significanceThe health transition: the rise in significanceof noncommunicable diseasesof noncommunicable diseases

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Women in highWomen in high--income countries liveincome countries livelonger and healthier liveslonger and healthier lives

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Structure of the presentationStructure of the presentation

Women's health through the life-courseUnderstanding

women's health

Developing an agenda for women's health

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The girl child (0The girl child (0--9 years)9 years)

Still too many infants and children are dying

The leading causes of death are pneumonia, diarrhoea and neonatal conditions

Malnutrition is associated with many deaths

Girls start life with a biological advantage but this is over-ridden in some countries

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Adolescent girls (10Adolescent girls (10--19 years):19 years):a time of good health but also riska time of good health but also risk

Too often, societies are failing to provide the support that these girls need

Unhealthy lifestyles can take hold

In high- and middle-income countries, deaths from road traffic accidents and suicides predominate but they are common everywhere

In developing countries, communicable diseases remain common and complications of pregnancy and childbirthare the leading cause of death among 15-19 year olds

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Leading causes of death among women Leading causes of death among women of reproductive age (15of reproductive age (15--44 years)44 years)

World%Deaths(000s)CauseRank

19.2682 HIV/AIDS114.6516Maternal conditions2

6.4228Tuberculosis34.7 168Self-inflicted injuries4

3.7132Road traffic accidents5

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99% of maternal deaths are 99% of maternal deaths are in developing countriesin developing countries

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Adult women (20Adult women (20--59 years)59 years)

The risk of premature death varies enormously, from only 6% in high-income countries, to 42% in the African region

Infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosistake a great toll, especially in Africa

Half of all deaths among adult women globally are caused by noncommunicable diseases

Mental health problems (depression, suicide) loom large

Violence against women is a major risk factor for ill-health

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Violence against womenViolence against womenis common is common worldwideworldwide

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Leading causes of death in older women (60+)Leading causes of death in older women (60+)

World%Deaths(000s)CauseRank

19.22933Ischaemic heart disease

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17.52677Stroke2

8.21254Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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5.3818Lower respiratory infections

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3.3499Diabetes mellitus5

Women are living longer but not necessarily in good health

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Ageing Ageing -- a story of neglecta story of neglect

Many of the health problems faced by women in old age are the result of risk factors experienced when they were younger – smoking, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets

Disabilities remain unprevented and unmanaged

Because many older women have worked all of their lives in the informal sector or in unpaid activities, health care is inaccessible, unaffordable or both

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Structure of the presentationStructure of the presentation

Women's health through the life-courseUnderstanding

women's health

Developing an agenda for women's health

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A shared agendaA shared agendafor women's healthfor women's health

Building strong leadership and a coherent institutional response

Making health systems work for women

Leveraging changes in public policy to build healthier societies

Building the knowledge base and monitoring progress

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Structure of the presentationStructure of the presentation

Women's health through the life-courseUnderstanding

women's health

Developing an agenda for women's health