Guest blog by Dr. Jennifer Hirshfeld-Cytron, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellow, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern Memorial Hospital

The Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds this morning was given by past FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) and previous chairman of the department, Dr. John Sciarra.  He provided an incredibly informative and moving description of the global issues affecting women, particularly in the developing world.  He highlighted the issues of maternal mortality, maternal morbidity, STDs, cervical cancer, and education inequality.

For instance, in Afghanistan, 1 in 6 women will DIE from pregnancy related complications compared to 1 in 4100 in the developed world.  Pregnancy related complications include: abortion related deaths, hemorrhage, thrombotic events and eclampsia (see below). 20.5 million unsafe abortions occur each year worldwide and account for 60,-80,000 deaths.

Furthermore, HIV/AIDS accounts for 11% of worldwide deaths with approximately 47 percent of the 34.3 million adults living with HIV/AIDS being women. Cervical cancer, a preventable cancer with appropriate screening, sex education and potentially the vaccine, affects 200,000 women worldwide and is second only to breast cancer in incidence.  Cervical cancer screening in the developed world centers on cytology, which is not available in the developing world. He further highlighted the inequities of women.   Worldwide women work 66% more than men but receive only 15% of the income.  Illiteracy in parts of the developing worth is greater than 65% for women. This just begins to highlight the complicated issue of providing appropriate family planning education to the developing world.

These staggering and incredibly disturbing statistics leave us with only one question; how can we raise the status of women worldwide? Efforts are being done to partner developed with developing world medical schools to increase technical skills for the care of women, such as safe abortions.  A website (www.glowm.com) has been started by Dr. Sciarra and others providing education in the form of book chapters and how-to videos to begin to enhance knowledge to the developing world.  Access is huge problem for women and foundations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are working towards these and other efforts.  In short, get involved.

As Mahmoud Fathalla, past president of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, said: "Women are not dying because of diseases we cannot treat. They are dying because societies have yet to make the decision that their lives are worth saving."

Comments

I have to say for some reason the one that got me is 13% dying due to unsafe abortions….That means many more are forced into having children who they id not want in the first place….. I wonder how many of those kids end up involved in criminal activities later on in life…

Interesting blog but I think the figures of abortion will be higher....there's a lot of unreported abortions that's why. Agree?

Mahmoud Fatalla is exactly right. Women aren't dying because of incurable disease. They're dying because it's easier to replace them than cure them. There are many societies today where the value of women is very low. That needs to change before the medical conditions will start to improve for many women.

This is a very informative article and well written. I could not believe some of the statistics, amazing It takes good coordination between us, WHO, the health department, local government and the people. "Women are dying from diseases that are not treatable. They are dying because societies have to decide that his life is worth saving."

In this 2100 century, I thought that we in this world had come a much longer way in giving prenatal care to woman in less develop countries. I am Shocked.

Education is the most important thing, but unfortunately in the under developed countries like my India, every girl isn't getting the education they deserve. Thanks for posting this article.

Thanks for post this article, it's a useful post. Education is very important but unfortunately in the under developed countries like india, pakistan and etc. They do not get any chances to get educate and it make them lack of the health knowledge. Anyway, thanks for share this post. I will share it with some of my female friends.

A very interested read and very informative. AIDS is a horrible world wide issue that i hope a cure is found to relive people of their suffering

So how do we get involved? Its such a huge problem. So sad for women to be treated like this. She could be your Mom or sister or daughter!

Powerful blog. I hate to even think of this stuff but its the facts. Thanks!

This could possibly relates to lack of education and knowledge among the women in under developed countries. That's the reason why knowledge is so critical that will help these women to protect themselves from becoming the victims. It is sad actually to hear the numbers keep on rising each year but what we can do is to give them on going support and great education so that the next generation will become more educated.

The statistics stated here are horrendous! As an American, I take for granted good health care and easy access to any vital information I may need at any given time. It is a good thing that this information is brought up to those people who are willing and able to lend a helping hand in any way possible to those who have need of it.

This figure is very alarming. I agree with Mahmoud Fathalla when he said "Women are not dying from diseases that we can not treat. They are dying because societies have yet to make the decision that their lives are worth saving." I think we need to increase information, education and awareness about women's health.

I completely agree with the inequalities of women around the world. We need to SPREAD education or else problems like these will never cease. Great writing.

These statistics are troubling to me. As women we must discuss the solution and encourage the men in our lives to support it. We must have more far reaching blogs like this bring awareness to this problem?

This is very crazy...so many people died because of HIV / AIDS

This is a good content. We have the first woman to be a President in Thailand. Also I think woman can do many thing as same as man did too.

when i stumbled upon this i assumed it was going to be filled with boring advice, but really it came out to be quite useful. brav0!

The reasons of maternal death are still shocking me. 11% HIV, 13% unsafe abortion - all this could be avoided. Not to mention many kinds of infections,which are the result of a miserable life-style. It is already urgent, that the underdeveloped countries come nearer to a level of normal human life. I hope such articles will be read from people who can move something to better.

The problem is not the same all over the world, there are countries where the mortality of pregnant women less than 2%. I think we all need to do something about this problem by giving financial support.

One of the primary issues here, is a lack of focus on women specific medical needs. The vast majority of research is performed on, and for men. Women are functionally different beings with different medical needs.

One of the primary issues here, is a lack of focus on women specific medical needs. The vast majority of research is performed on, and for men. Women are functionally different creatures with different medical needs.

The best way to overcome the difference in health issues between women and men is to educate and encourage more women to remain in the health industry

There are many dangers in womens health specially when giving birth. So we have to take care of women health so they can have a safe delivery. thanks for sharing.

Thanks for sharing this post about woman's health. I need this information.

The best way to overcome the difference in health issues between women and men is to educate and encourage more women to remain in the health industry. As their understanding of women is of course a lot better than the male counterparts.

No matter how advance our technologies is when it comes to health care, it would not matter if people wont allow themselves to be subject for prevention.This article is helpful. It help us understand that cure is possible if we are all aware of its prevention. This just show how invaluable education can be. I'm gonna share this to my friends as a part of prevention. Thanks for this article!

Failure at weight loss is not our fault, we just have not learned what foods work and what foods simply fail in weight loss dieting. We live in a society that is drowning in high sugar contents, saturated fats from fried foods and high levels of carbs in our soft drinks. While all of these offer great flavor, they are extremely unhealthy, they are artificially processed and will make you obese!

Is there a way to forward an article to a friend? Thanks.I really enjoy reading your Articles. Thank you for this much needed info.

I suspect that the countries where the policy-makers are all men have the worst women's rights practices. I was going to say that we need to put some women in power in those countries, but I suppose it's a stick with two ends - how can you put women in power in a country where women are so disrespected and neglected? Educating girls (before they become women) is probably the best way to go...

A very interesting and informative post. I like reading your article. hope you have more updates to this. thanks

Although I agree with most of the article, I do believe that simple education could go a long way to finding and preventing things from happening. There needs to be more support.

I would have never guessed that many people had HIV. What is causing a 1 and 6 death rate in women having children in 3rd world countries?

This is a informative site. You write about Inequalities in Global Women’s Health. I know many things from here.Thanks for sharing.

Hi there, I believe your web site may be having internet browser compatibility issues. Whenever I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in I.E., it's got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, great website!

The statistics that are posted in this article where 13 percent of maternal deaths are due to illegal abortions worldwide have not changed in 20 years and for the same reasons. Women are not educated regarding their health ad there has been no change in women being able to access medical care including family planning. Without access to family planning clinics there will be no decrease in unwanted pregnancies and women will continue to do what they have done for thousands of years; to seek and have illegal abortions performed which exposes them to a higher chance of morbidity and mortality.

The figures you have published especially for Afghanistan are tragic. 1 in 6 women will DIE from pregnancy related complications in this day and age. Terrible.

Women should be treated equally. They have choices to make and be on their own. Thanks for sharing this post it will help a lot of readers about the issues in women's health.

Those inequalities must be removed from the society and above all from this beautiful planet.

A lot of these problems would surely be eradicated if there was more family planning in these areas? The biggest stumbling block to this is religion and the power it seems to hold over people. Until this problem is solved i can't see much progress being made?

There is definitely a lot to learn about this issue. I love all of the points you made. Women should be aware of these. thanks for sharing this post with us.

Hi, I can see that you are putting a lot of efforts into your blog. Keep posting the good work. Some really helpful information in there. It gives tips about health care for women. Thanks..

i enjoy reading your blog and it has lots of information on women's health specially on giving birth so we have to take care every women. Dorothy

The best way to overcome the difference in health issues between women and men is to educate and encourage more women to remain in the health industry. That's what i approve for sure!

A real Mystery about women is revealed through your post. May we all think about these and spread this knowledge for future protection of women.

I also agree that Some of this kind of hassles might certainly be eradicated if there was some more birth control in these areas? The essential obstacle to this is the religious institution and the power it seems to hold over people.

Thanks for the great article. Womens health is a very interesting subject.

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