History of Women’s Health

Women’s health has been a contentious issue for the past 20th century, but the progress is quite admirable. The dominant gender inequalities of the patronage society since the 1900s has been changing with equality policies and regulations resulting in women empowerment leading to decrease in the mortality rate of women. The article demonstrates that women’s life expectancy rates have increased by more than 30 years from the beginning to the end of the 20th century.

Content

The increment of life expectancy was due to the increased enlightenment, social and political involvement of women in the society. According to the article, it is evident that three significant movements played a vital role in the transformation and reduction of women’s mortality rates. The progressive era which saw the first woman educated and becomes a physician advocated for the expansion of the maternal and child health services enabled the reduction of infant mortality rate and women deaths during child delivery.

The second era created a sense of belonging to women through feminism and promoted inclusion of women in the male-dominated medicine-based system. The 1960s and 1970s used publications to educate women on economic, hygiene and taking control of their body hence the challenges endured as women became fashion centered. Breast cancer in the 1990s would change the dynamics of medicine-based studies which had been male-dominated and led to the inclusion of women.

The transformation would reduce deaths and infections caused by poor hygiene but as time changed new and more devastating illness affected women. By the end of the 20th-century chronic ailment was the primary cause of death among the females. It is saddening that women obsession with fashion would result in diseases and the failure to engage in physical exercise has facilitated most of their disorders, for instance, the inability to accept and be contented with their bodies or looks have resulted in stress and depression.

Impact on My Life and Society Today

The challenges and determination of strong women have paved the way for women like us to pursue medicine courses. Were it not for their efforts; we could be facing tragedies such as high mortality rate from birth infection. The changes in social perception through the changes of law for instance, following the Women’s Equality Action League filling the discrimination suit, women gained access to pursue a medical profession. The lawsuit enabled the society to change their views on female physicians and surgeons paving the way for us to continue our careers in medicine without facing such discrimination. I am proud of their efforts but believe that we as women will reduce our obsession with fashion that has been detrimental to our health.

Although there has been great improvements in women’s health, women are paid less than men. I recommend changes in payment to enhance equality which will boost women economy and health.

Conclusion

The history of women’s health is saddening but encouraging. It demonstrates the long road from ignorance to enlightenment as political and social entities accepted that women are equal to men, the healthcare delivery, and women’s mortality rate decreases. However, it is depressing to note that women also play a crucial role in their health complications through their unhealthy lifestyles and fashion obsession.