Abstract
Women attending the Seventh International Women and Health Meeting in Kampala, Uganda in September 1993 were asked to assess the most important health-related problems and concerns for their nations. They were also asked to express their levels of agreement with each of six statements concerning community health issues. One-hundred-thirty-three women from 35 countries responded to the survey, representing most regions of the world and many of the women's organizations, non-governmental organizations, ministries of health, and community-based organizations that are working with grassroots populations to affect public health policies. Overall, the top-rated health concerns were maternal and child health issues and communicable diseases, including AIDS. Several differences among ratings existed by geographic region. For example, women from the Pacific and Asian nations expressed strong concerns about violence against women and about access to and financing of health care. Women from Europe, North America, and Scandinavia expressed strong concerns about chronic maladies (including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes), as well as concerns about AIDS and maternal and child health. More than 80% of the respondents agreed that lack of women's status or power, violence against girls and women, and housing were major health issues for their communities.
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