Overview of the health of women and children

The health of women and children reflects a combination of biological behavioral social ecological and historical factors and is dependent on political will and a minimum level of available resources. Great progress has been made in the past decade but inequities persist as many improvements have not reached large groups of women and children. Of the 4 billion global inhabitants 2 billion are women and children living in developing countries where 110 million of the 130 million global births each year take place. Infectious and parasitic diseases malnutrition and high infant and maternal mortality are major causes of death in these nations. This overview presents comprehensive discussions of maternal mortality and morbidity fertility and family planning longterm reproductive morbidity perinatal mortality and morbidity infant mortality and morbidity breastfeeding and nutritional status of children. Adolescent health and pregnancy are addressed. A detailed discussion of the implications for health care systems of the health needs of women and children addresses performance of existing programs and makes recommendations for future improvements. Despite improvements in literacy food production and womens status there has been a worsening in unemployment the literacy gap between the sexes and the inequitable distribution of food between different areas. Economic constraints are a major limitation on the delivery of health care. Nevertheless some countries have made impressive innovative approaches to providing health care to underserved areas. The key to achieving health goals will be enlightened political commitment and leadership and efficient managerial practices.