Women's health in the 21st century

Although women's health has been under-attended for most of the 20th century, it has gained international attention in recent decades. Medical and social research on heart disease, lung cancer, HIV/AIDS, and trachoma indicate that bio-socio variables affect women's health differently from men's. With regard to diabetes, data on pregnancy, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), depression, and heart disease corroborate the differentials between men and women. Data also indicate that social factors place diabetic women at a disadvantage regarding access to treatment and outcomes. Ascertaining the precise interactions that cause these differences and applying this information to policies and programs are imperative in the 21st century. (C) 2008 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.