Opinion Piece
Investing in Primary Care Nursing: An important strategy in improving the health and well-being of women
Afaf Meleis
Margaret Bond Simon Dean of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA; Council General, International Council on Women's Health Issues, United States of America
PP: 65
Article Text
The gender divide continues to compromise health care for women globally. Women constitute one-third of the world's labor force, they work two-thirds of the world's working hours, and yet they earn one-tenth of the world's income (International Council on Women's Health Issues 2007; World Bank 2007). Infections also compromise women and their health.
For example, women and girls now comprise over 60 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and over 60 percent of infected individuals globally (International Perspective 2006). In fact, the top Millenium Development Goals are focused on fundamental issues that women face: elimination of poverty, decreasing infant and maternal mortality rates, eliminating illiteracy and ensuring universal primary education, and preventing infections (United Nations 2005). A focus on women's health and an investment in primary care nurses play a major role in providing primary health care.
The health care crises that our global community faces-health disparities, lack of health care access for vulnerable populations, shortage and mal-distribution of health care workers-could be addressed through utilizing an integrative paradigm with a primary focus on women's health and primary care. Healthy and safe womanhood through primary health care is the key driver for safer and healthier global communities.
References
International Council on Women's Health Issues (2007) Available at www.icowhi.org. Accessed on 19 June 2007.
International perspectives (2006) ICN calls for UN to fund a women's agency as an urgent priority. International Nursing Review 53(3): 162.
United Nations (2005) Millennium Development Goals. Available at www.un.org/millenniumgoals. Accessed on 19 June 2007.
World Bank (2007) Economic
status of women. Available at
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:
21227023~pagePK:64257043~piPK:437376~theSitePK:4607,00.html.
Accessed on 19 June 2007.
World Health Organization (2003) Available at The World Health Report 2003- shaping the future. Accessed at www.who.int/whr/2003/en/. Accessed on 5 June 2007.
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