Towards a lifetime of health : socioeconomic and health issues for midlife and older women

Formulating health policy for older women will be particularly important, not least because older women make enormous contributions to their families and society through child nurturing, home production, market work, and management of household, business, and community endeavors. This report assesses the health status of midlife and older women and describes their socioeconomic conditions, living arrangements, and access to health care services and social security. The report concludes by stating the need for an integrated and comprehensive understanding of the interplay among the many socioeconomic, cultural, and epidemiological factors that determine older women"s health status. Moreover, since the health of older women depends in large part on the effects of their health and socioeconomic status throughout their life, the report also calls for efforts to improve the health status of girls and younger women. A final section calls for further research on older women"s economic activity, access to health care, and other areas. Includes bibliography.