HIV - the number one killer of women?
Last week, some friends and I were discussing Secretary of State Hilary Clinton's 2012 Presidency election probability; one of the topics that came up because of this discussion was the unfair treatment of women, both globally and nationally. The men in the room were among the first to remark that they weren't surprised an African American man was elected President before a woman was; they both saw the disparity in how women are still treated. The conversation soon ran into the idea of healthcare changes and how women are still not being treated as equals in the world - or the United States.
This week, when I read that the World Health Organization's first ever Women's Health Report includes the fact that "one in five deaths among women [aged 5 to 44] is linked to unsafe sex", my hackles were immediately raised. That is not right. TWENTY percent of women's deaths globally are due to unsafe sexual practices. On top of that I learned today that, AIDS is the top cause of death for young women and I am irate. I am in complete shock that we have reverted back to 1983 and that women, are still not being properly cared for.
Why?
Some of the points brought up in the press release are fantastic and until I can take some time to read more of the 91-page Women's Health report, I'm going to stick with what the WHO is talking about.
- women provide the bulk of health care but rarely receive the care they need
- 80% of health care (in general) and 90% of HIV/AIDS-specific health care is provided in the home, by women, however, when women have HIV/AIDS, their care is "unsupported, unrecognized and unremunerated"
- mental health, sexual violence assistance and screenings/treatments for cervical cancer are still not provided as consistently as, say, prenatal care
- prenatal care that is provided is directed at married women, forgetting that single women and adolescents are in the same, if not more, need than married women
- even fewer services focus on women who are sex workers, IV drug users, ethnic or sexual minorities and women living in rural areas
- women live longer than men, but the extra years are not always healthy
- as women age, non communicable diseases are more likely killers than the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and pregnancy-related conditions that plague us between 15 and 45
- heart attacks and strokes are still major killers, sometimes showing different signs and symptoms when compared to men not knowing these possible differences can lead to death
- women living longer than men are soon going to represent an even larger population of the aged - knowing how to deal with female-based elderly societies is incredibly important for medical caregivers
- as women age, non communicable diseases are more likely killers than the HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and pregnancy-related conditions that plague us between 15 and 45
- despite some biological advantages, women's health still suffers from the lower socio-economic status they hold
- without education, the currently male-dominated decision-making positions clearly are unattainable to women
- discrimination, violence and poverty are all (regardless of region, country or socio-economic class) barriers to women's health
- "For example, in the case of HIV/AIDS the risk posed by a biological difference is compounded in cultures that limit women’s knowledge about HIV and their ability to negotiate safer sex. 'We will not see significant progress as long as women are regarded as second-class citizens in so many parts of the world,' Dr Chan [WHO Cheif] said. 'In so many societies, men exercise political, social and economic control. The health sector has to be concerned. These unequal power relations translate into unequal access to health care and unequal control over health resources,' she added."
- policy change and action is needed beyond just the health care sector
- taking into account gender inequality is going to be one of the most important factors in any sort of healthcare challenge (in the mind of a lot of public health advocates)
- addressing the specific cultural and socio-economic barriers must be included
- taking into account gender inequality is going to be one of the most important factors in any sort of healthcare challenge (in the mind of a lot of public health advocates)
I am going to take a few days to read through major parts of the WHO's Women's Health report in order to really grasp some more details of what they're talking about. I am going to need some truly dedicated reading & note-taking time to work through the finer points of what the WHO has released before I throw it in your laps to talk about with me.
Have you read anything about the report?
Are you surprised to learn that HIV/AIDS is the number one killer of women globally? Why?
Why do you think that the previous fact is true?
What can you, as one single person, do to help change this fact?
Are your other health communities talking about the Women's Health Report yet? What are they saying? Would you take this information back to those groups to see what they have to say? WEGO Health is always interested in hearing what other communities of Health Activists' opinions are, and this topic is dying to be hotly discussed!
Add a Comment
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Comment by Sarah on November 11, 2009 at 3:30pm -
Amy, I am still flabbergasted by some of the stats that I read while I just barely glanced through the report. I am going to nerd out when I read the rest of the report and I know that it's going to make me angry and give me plenty of fodder to share with WEGO Health.
Sadly, the shock value in the disparity doesn't have the same effect on me as it used to. I've had too many experiences where I see the statistics and the actual outcomes and it just doesn't shock me. However, it does anger me, especially since my main public health goals lie within women's health education. I know that I may not have a world-wide effect on women's public health, but as I told a friend yesterday, as long as I can educate one woman on HIV/AIDS prevention I will have an effect on her world. One world instead of the whole world ... and eventually they'll add up and maybe it'll be a whole neighborhood or something. We'll see. :)
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Comment by Amy K on November 11, 2009 at 11:38am -
Sarah,
This is an amazing and eye-opening post! I have not read anything about this report yet and I am so glad you have brought it to our attention. I find myself shocked and then also, an attitude of "go figure" when I contemplate these stats and findings. The disparity between men and women globally is so obvious to me and sad...I rejoice in the strides that have been made, but my heart sinks in realization that the problem is still so pervasive and even life-threatening on so many levels.
Taking into consideration the global problem of HIV it makes sense to me that it could be the number one killer of women, and it feels almost incomprehensible when contemplating the remedy. Until a vaccine is developed, and even if one is developed, a focus on the equality between genders seems to be the best route. This is truly a global challenge.
As one person, I believe I can help by raising awareness about the disparity, beginning in my home and teaching my own children about their equality and carrying that forward into social media, blogging, etc.
Thanks Sarah. I look forward to reading more about your findings and research on this topic!
© 2009 Created by Marie
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