Women’s Health – Looking out to 2040

Speaking of 10 to 20 years from now, women’s health will undoubtedly undergo many changes in the coming decades. The present environment in which we live currently is already determining our health status in 2040. As it is widely known that Health is moulded by a convergence of innumerable factors like the air we breathe, the food we eat, the work we do, the place we dwell, and the people we are surrounded by. Multiple factors in the near future will determine the overall well-being of an individual and society as well.

Looking ahead, we will inescapably face many newer health challenges and to address these challenges and opportunities, anticipated or otherwise, it is imperative that we have access to, and the ability to interpret and act on it at a fast pace. It will be a crucial factor that we must have the right skills, transdisciplinary capacity, infrastructure, methods and networks to support the research which can be effectively translated into policy, practice, and societal benefit.

It is well known that even though half of the population is female, medical research had historically neglected the health needs of women in particular. However, over the past two decades, there have been major changes in government support of women's health research--in policies, regulations, and the organization of research efforts.

It was evident that women's health research has contributed to significant progress over the past years in lessening the burden of disease and reducing deaths. while there are certain other conditions were only moderate change or even little or no change had happened yet which need to be looking at.

Gaps still remain, both in terms of research and in its application to benefit women in general across multiple populations groups. Women play an evitable role in society and not only its own health matters but also that of future generations since it relies much on the motherhood and its correlated factors.

Specific key factors creating significant impacts are population growth and ageing, the culture and religious structure of the society; family structures, roles and interpersonal relations, societal values, across demographic groups.

We can expect that technology and digital advancement will continue to impact major changes to society and human health, over the next 25 years. Health will be monitored by pocket-sized devices with continuously increasing computational power and an abundance of services will be available online.

Technological and biomedical developments and innovation will get hugely advanced leading to an increased ability to predict, diagnose and treat diseases and significant improvements in medical care will contribute to overall extensions in life expectancy in spite of any gender bias.

WHO and its partners are developing a new global strategy for women’s, children’s and adolescents’ health, and working to enshrine the health of women in the post-2015 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The major targets issues regarding women's health that will be look upon extensively are:

Cancer: Especially breast and cervical cancers, which is the most common cancers affecting women.

Reproductive health: In particularly, Sexual and reproductive health problems between the age group of 15 and 44 years.

Maternal health

HIV

Sexually transmitted infections

Violence against women: Women are subject to a wide range of different forms of violence, but physical and sexual violence – either by a partner or any individual is a profound issue.

Mental health

Noncommunicable diseases

Considering the magnitude of multiple and significant the role played by women in our society, extending support for women's health research and enhancing its impact in all age groups and areas are not only in the interest of women, but they are in the interest of us all.

WOMEN ARE THE REAL ARCHITECTS OF SOCIETY, WERE A HEALTHY MOTHER, LEADS TO A HEALTHY CHILD AND AN HEALTHY FAMILY AS A WHOLE.