In today's society disproportionately more older women than men are afflicted by Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis and arthritis. The effects of these disorders on independent living, quality of life, mobility and morbidity make them important concerns in women's health. However, in rushing to embrace pharmaceutical solutions, we must not forget the crucial role of diet, exercise, smoking avoidance and the prevention of falls in maintaining the health of older women. Elucidating the role of serotonin in controlling mood, anxiety, sexuality and appetite offers powerful new therapeutic tools for treating predominantly female conditions such as anxiety, depression and eating disorders. Women were its primary users and will ultimately be the greatest losers when the drug's adverse results are tallied.
Health care restructuring across the country offers new challenges in women's health.
Ambulatory surgeries, early discharge programs and community care may send ill women back to unsupportive environments, thereby delaying recovery. In addition, the need to care for ill partners or sick children at home may be overwhelming for already time-taxed working women. It is more important than ever to adopt an approach that takes into account the social determinants of women's health, the contextual effects of violence, poverty and discrimination, and the role of education, opportunities, housing, reproductive choice and emotional well-being. One encouraging fact is that Canadian women now live longer than ever before. References Haseltine FP, Jacobsen BG, editors.