This paper is only available as a PDF. To read, Please Download here.
Abstract
Over the past decade, increased attention has focused on the topic of women’s health. Traditionally, women’s health was considered to encompass only reproductive health and health care. Currently, however, women’s health is defined as involving women’s social, cultural, spiritual, emotional and physical well-being, and is influenced by social, political and economic factors, as well as by a woman’s biology. Therefore, in providing health care to women, one must address not only their biology and their reproductive functions but also the broader determinants of health and in particular the critical role of gender as a determinant of health. The health priorities women themselves identify, their own perceptions of their health and well-being and the diversity of women are all key components of optimal care for women. While obstetricians and gynaecologists have played a leading role in improving reproductive and gynaecologic care and outcomes, they must identify, acknowledge and address the multiple factors which influence the health and illness of their patients. Together with other physicians and health professionals, obstetricians and gynaecologists through their clinical work, their educational activities and their research must integrate and apply this broader understanding of women’s health if they are to provide appropriate holistic care to their women patients.
Résumé
Pendant la dernière décennie, on a accordé davantage d’attention à la santé des femmes. De tout temps, on a estimé que la santé des femmes n’englobait que la santé génésique et les soins de santé génésiques. Aujourd’hui, la définition de la santé des femmes comprend toutefois leur bien-être social, culturel, spirituel, affectif et physique, et elle est influencée par des facteurs sociaux, politiques et économiques, ainsi que par la biologie de la femme. Ainsi, pour dispenser des soins de santé aux femmes, il faut s’occuper non seulement de leur biologie et leurs fonctions de reproduction, mais aussi des facteurs plus vastes de la santé et, en particulier, du rôle essentiel du sexe comme déterminant de la santé. Les priorités en matière de santé établies par les femmes elles-mêmes, leurs propres perceptions de leur santé et de leur bien-être et la diversité des femmes sont tous des aspects clés des soins optimaux à l’intention des femmes. Bien que les obstétriciens et les gynécologues aient joué un rôle de chef de file dans l’amélioration des soins génésiques et gynécologiques et de leurs résultats, ils doivent déterminer et reconnaître les facteurs multiples qui influent sur la santé et la maladie de leurs patientes et exercer leur action sur ces facteurs. En collaboration avec les autres médecins et professionnels de la santé, les obstétriciens et les gynécologues, grâce à leurs travaux cliniques, leurs activités de formation et leurs recherches, doivent intégrer et appliquer cette compréhension globale de la santé des femmes s’ils souhaitent assurer des soins holistiques appropriés à leurs patientes.
Key Words
References
- 1975–1994—Full Report. Policy and Consultation Branch, Health Canada. 1996
- Narrowing mortality gaps, 1978–1995.Health Reports. 1997; 9: 35-41
Statistics Canada, Health Statistics, www.statcan.ca/eng-lish/Pgdb/People/Health/Expect.htmStatistics Canada, Health Statistics Division, 1991.
- Cracking the glass ceiling.Can Med Assoc J. 1997; 157: 1713-1714
Women’s health in the medical school curriculum: report of a survey and recommendation. US Department of Health and Human Services, National Resources Administration and National Institutes of Health. HRSA-A-OEA-96–1:101.
- Report of the Public Health Service Task Force on Women’s Health Issue: Vol. 2. DHHS Pub. #PHS85–50206. 1985
- The social context of women’s health: goals and objectives for medical education.Can Med Assoc J. 1995; 154: 507-511
- Beijing, China. 1995: 37 (Published by United Nations, 1995.95–31259)
- The Commonwealth Secretariat. England, London1996 (December 1996)
- Powerlessness, empowerment and health: implications for health promotion programs.Am J Health Promotion. 1992; 6: 197-205
- The Canadian Perspective. The Canada/USA Women’s Health Forum, Ottawa, Canada1996
- Technical Discussions. Women, health and development. The World Health Organization, Geneva1992
- The Health of Women: a Global Perspective. Western Press. Colorado, Boulder1992
- Impact of poverty on women’s health.Can Fam Phys. 1994; 40: 949-957
- UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Published by the Commonwealth Fund Commission on Women’s Health, New York, NY1995
- Women’s health: across age and frontier Geneva: The World Health Organization. 1992
- Physical abuse and pregnancy.Can Med Assoc J. 1993; 149: 1257-1263
- Interrelationship between gender relations in the HIV/AIDS epidemic: some possible considerations for policies and programs.AIDS. 1993; 7 (for the Advancement of Women Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, United Nations Office, Vienna, Austria): 1027-1034
- Lesbian health care issue: a guide for gynaecologists.J Soc Obstet Gynaecol Can. 1995; 17: 1077-1088
- What makes women tired? A community sample.Women’s Health. 1998; 7: 69-75
- Women’s view of their main health problems.Can J Public Health. 1992; 83: 371-374
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 24,
1998
Received:
March 24,
1998
Identification
Copyright
© 1998 Published by Elsevier Inc.
