The gender gap in health is even more acute in developing countries where women are relatively more disadvantaged. In addition to gender inequity, there remain specific disease processes uniquely associated with being a woman which create specific challenges in both prevention and health care. Women’s health refers to the health of women, which differs from that of men in many unique ways.

Pregnancy presents substantial health risks, even in developed countries, and despite advances in obstetrical science and practice. Maternal mortality remains a major problem in global health and is considered a sentinel event in judging the quality of health care systems. Adolescent pregnancy represents a particular problem, whether intended or unintended, and whether within marriage or a union or not. Pregnancy results in major changes in a girl’s life, physically, emotionally, socially and economically and jeopardises her transition into adulthood. Adolescent pregnancy, more often than not, stems from a girl’s lack of choices.

Men are more likely to abuse alcohol and become dependent upon it. However, the impacts of chronic alcohol use are greater on women than men. Additionally, babies born to women who drink alcohol during pregnancy may have a condition called fetal alcohol syndrome. However, many doctors …

At the beginning of the twentieth century, in much of the Western industrialized world, life expectancy at birth for women was less than 50 years. Life expectancy at birth for women in most industrialized countries is now well into the late 70s and the early mid-80s, on average about seven to eight years longer than men. By age 65 and over, this gender gap narrows, and by age 85, life expectancy for women is very close to men’s.

This video showcases initiatives led by H4+ and Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone to reduce child and maternal mortality rates. Since the Ebola outbreak in West Africa was declared an international public health emergency in August, many UN organizations, including UN Women, have been working hand-in-hand to help those affected on the ground. UN Women has been facilitating mobilization and information efforts targeting women, who have been disproportionately affected by this disease. Yet in 2013, nearly 800 women still died every day from maternal causes—99 per cent of these deaths occurred in developing countries. Most of their lives could have been saved with simple, well-known preventative interventions, even as basic as a bar of soap. Health, …