Therefore, priority must be given to improving health care research, services, and prevention programs for older women. Racial and ethnic disparities in health care must also be addressed. Advances in medical research have largely eliminated some of the diseases that killed people at the beginning of the 20th century. But as advances in medical diagnosis and treatment are developed, they need to be designed and evaluated with women in mind, and we must address the accompanying ethical and legal issues. A top priority in the 21st century must be the prevention of disease and ensuring that national efforts target the unique needs of women.
Prevention means developing new strategies to eliminate environmental hazards from women's lives.
It also means safeguarding our nation's future by ensuring that every child has a healthy start and is protected from violence, tobacco, and drugs. In the new century, we must work to provide access to health care for all Americans, and we must destigmatize mental illnesses. We must also adopt a global perspective on women's health. The spread of infectious diseases, tobacco and guns, the threat of bioterrorism, food and water supply safety, and violence against women do not recognize national borders. I only see what remains to be done.