ABSTRACT
Until quite recently, attention to women’s health has most commonly been focused on the reproductive process and organs, and on the child-bearing period, which is generally defined as between the ages of 15 and 44. Occasionally, the health of girls has been considered, but again, primarily within the context of concern about assuring future reproductive health and the health of children. Most discussions of women’s health, especially with respect to developing countries, have referred only briefly, if at all, to health problems apart from reproduction or to post-menopause. This continues to have important implications for health policy and planning, especially in an era of global economic recession, and at a time when comprehensive primary health care is being challenged and selective programmes are being offered as alternatives (Raikes 1989) (see also Chapter 9).
