Women's Health

Many of the unique health issues facing women are related to reproductive health and pregnancy. However, several conditions that affect both sexes have distinct manifestations in women including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and anemia. The extent of the effect that the physiological differences between men and women have on the natural course of these diseases and the validity of applying a standard treatment to both genders has not been fully explored. Historically, medical research has largely excluded women, rendering the application of evidence-based medicine to women's health issues somewhat of a misnomer. While most research in women's health originates from developed nations, consideration must be given to women in all regions of the world. Compared to women in developed nations, women in resource-poor countries are burdened with increased morbidity and mortality from gender-related health issues. In order to globally advance women's health, the physiologic and social differences between men and women must be more clearly characterized and these differences must be taken into consideration when designing research endeavors and developing health policy.