A New Agenda for Women's Health and Nutrition A New Agenda for Women's Health and Nutrition Introduction Investing in women's health and nutrition could save millions of women in developing countries from needless suffering or premature death. Some 40 percent of all women of reproductive age are anemic. In many developing countries, one third to half of the women become mothers before reaching their twentieth birthday. Worldwide, one in four pregnancies are unwanted.
Abortions outnumber live births in parts of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
There are more new cases of cervical cancer than of any other cancer in developing countries each year. A mothers health is also important to the health and well-being of her older children and family members. Because many women's health interventions are highly cost-effective, governments that are trying to achieve the greatest health gains at the least cost should include these programs in any national investment strategy. Since women's health problems often begin in childhood and adolescence, special efforts are needed to reach women at the earliest possible age. Interventions during adolescence, in particular, can help break the cycle of poverty, unwanted pregnancy and limited educational and economic opportunity.