Women’s Health (Markell)

This openly licensed textbook explores the multidimensional aspects of health and wellness as they overlap the female experience. Reproductive anatomy and physiology (including pregnancy and childbirth), cancer risk, nutrition, fitness, gender and sexuality, self-care, and health ageing are introduced.

Chapters

When thinking about health we often ponder exercise routines and low calories recipes to achieve outward physical signs of wellbeing. This book explores the multidimensional aspects of health and wellness as they overlap the female experience including female anatomical function, cancer risk, chemicals in beauty products, pregnancy, birth, body image and growing older.

History and Current Issues in Women’s Health

Chapter Objectives:

• Outline events that had, or continue to have, a significant impact on women’s health
• Explore topics that impact your own personal health
• Discuss current issues regarding health care for women in the US
• Explore how health care options for women in the US compare to healthcare options in other countries
• Explore factors that impact a woman’s access to quality and affordable health care
• Identify criteria for finding valid and reliable health information on the Internet

If you had to pick just one, what event, discovery, development or invention do you feel has had the greatest impact on women’s health? Ideas such as birth control or women’s right to vote, Roe vs Wade or even Title IX may quickly come to mind. What about safe birthing practices or the women’s health movement of the 1970’s? Consider that women from minority groups are now better represented in the health care field? In reading the following articles about the history of health care in the US, reflect on how our choices today may be different if not for these developments.

Understanding Personal Health History

Considering how significant events in our collective health history impact resources and accessibility is the first step. Next, we need to explore how current health accessibility, education, and regulations impact our personal wellness and health choices today. As you begin to ask yourself about choices you make for your health now and information you will need for future health choices, it is important to explore criteria for defining health and wellness as well as understanding how to seek valid and reliable sources of health information.