title: Global trends in women's health.
abstract: Global trends in women's health have to be looked at in the broader context of the definition of health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Our species is undergoing a historical bio-social evolution, with women positioned to have more power over their bodies and their lives. The implications for women's health are vast. Our profession has to face new challenges. The woman behind the mother is finally emerging, and making her presence felt. A reproductive evolution is sweeping the globe, with women having to lead a contraceptive life. A contraceptive technology revolution has benefited hundreds of millions, but the task is still unfinished. Demand for quality is substituting a desire for quantity in human reproduction. Sexual health is becoming an important psychosocial component of our health and well-being. The mature adult woman and the elderly woman are rising to an important place in our health care. The widening bio-social gap in adolescents dictates an increasing need for appropriate promotive, preventive and curative health care. One global trend in women's health unfortunately did not happen. Maternity is still, unnecessarily, a major cause of death and morbidity for women in developing countries.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Fathalla
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003267:Contraception; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D016387:Women's Health