Violence plays an increasing role in premature death for women under age 45, especially minority women. Tobacco smoking is a significant public health problem for Ohio women. More Ohio women die annually from lung cancer than breast cancer. Most Ohio women begin smoking while they are still in high school. Ohio women are less likely to have health insurance through their employer than men, and are more likely to have health insurance through a spouse.
Single women are at greatest risk for being uninsured.
Low birthweight continues to be a problem for babies born to Ohio women. Low birthweight is associated with neurological, psychological, behavioral and physical health problems. Rates of certain sexually transmitted diseases, particularly chlamydia and HIV, are rising among Ohio women. Undetected and untreated, STDs lead to a variety of chronic gynecological problems, cervical cancer, and in the case of HIV, death. The most frequent site of cancer in Ohio women is breast cancer.