More women's health info needed

By Alison Healy

A call for more information and analysis on women's health has been made by the Women's Health Council. This body was set up in 1997 to advise the Minister for Health. It has just completed its first report `Women - The Picture of Health' which highlights the lack of information which should guide health policy and the provision of services.

For example, it points out that heart disease is the biggest single cause of death in Irish women yet 80 per cent of research on heart disease focuses on men. It suggests that the major risk factors may differ in the case of women. ``An additional factor for women is hormone levels and there are also indications that genetic and environmental factors have a bearing,'' the report states.

It advises that women who smoke be targeted, and that doctors be trained to recognise and treat early signs of heart disease in women as intensely as they do in men. ``One of the most important messages in all future campaigns should be to encourage women, so accustomed to caring for others, to look after and take greater responsibility for their own health.''

According to the report, one of the greatest deficits of the health service is the lack of counselling and complementary health services for women. It points to research, which shows that women are often directed into drug-based treatment for health matters which could be dealt with by other means. Examples of this include treatment for abuse, stress or mental illness.

The report also pointed to research which found that living in a rural area has a negative impact on women's health. Several studies have reported a difficulty in accessing family planning advice and services, particularly for younger women. The lack of counselling services was felt particularly by women whose spouses were dependant on alcohol.

A study in North West Connemara found that women were more likely to be demoralised and depressed than men. Meanwhile, a more recent study in South West Mayo found that the loss of services in rural areas had put a bigger strain on women as the responsibility for caring for others fell to them.