Health Care Today in the United States– Chapter 7: Women's Health

Women may have many health issues that are quite distinct from those faced by men. Women’s health is influenced by the biology of their gender as well as conditions such as poverty, employment, and family responsibilities. Pregnancy and childbirth may be linked with substantial health risks. Women face specific issues such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Women of lower socioeconomic classes and less education have poorer access to adequate health care, higher mortality rates, and a larger reliance on government assistance. Therefore, they are often more vulnerable to various disorders and more severe complications. With increased aging, women have higher rates of chronic diseases and disabilities.