The European Institute of Women's Health calls on all health authorities and policy-makers at local, national and European levels; non-governmental and inter-governmental organisations; women's and older persons' groups; health care professionals; research groups, and the media to support the policies and recommendations specified in each chapter of this report. The Institute urges all sectors to take action in these critical areas:
Health policy
Adopt a new,
coordinated effort to ensure the prolonged health, well being and independence
of mid-life and older women.
Set time-based, achievable targets for the reduction of coronary heart disease,
cancer, osteoporosis and depression, thereby lessening the burden of
disabilities and disease, not only on the sufferers but on society, their
families and carers. Initiate
further reports on the specific health problems of mid-life and older men and
women. Exchange information
and coordinate research data to provide a basis for informed decision-making in
order to raise standards throughout Europe. Develop standards and guidelines and
spread the knowledge of best practices wherever possible to ensure more
cost-effective, higher quality health care for women, especially for the
disadvantaged.Prevention and health promotion
Focus health promotion policies on prevention to help conserve
diminishing resources for diagnosis and treatment of disease. Discourage smoking among women of all
ages, since smoking is the single greatest risk factor for many diseases. Screen for diseases best diagnosed
early, following guidelines set by the European Commission to ensure the highest
quality and the broadest coverage.Education
Educate women
in the prevention, early detection and early treatment of the diseases and
conditions that afflict them. Provide better instruction in the
benefits of physical activity, nutritionally balanced diets and healthier
lifestyles, together with awareness of how medical care can prevent and control
disease. Involve women of
all ages in planning and carrying out programmes to prevent diseases that affect
women and to foster healthier lifestyles. Persuade and educate doctors and
other health care workers to take women's health concerns as seriously as they
take those of men. Insist
that medical curricula include better recognition of women's health problems
Quality of life and independence
Ensure that health care is oriented vigorously towards
preserving the quality of life and independence of older people, so that even
when disease cannot be cured, treatment strives to increase function and well
being. Encourage and
enable older people to lead independent lives and avoid institutional care as
long as possible. Research
Foster a
favourable research climate in Europe so that adequate resources are devoted to
studying innovative therapies and the prevention, alleviation and cure of
age-related diseases, especially those affecting women. Avoid gender bias by directing
studies towards women to the extent necessary rather than extrapolating findings
from research conducted primarily on men. Strongly encourage European women to
take part in research aimed at understanding, alleviating and solving their
specific health problems.Working together - the European Union and Member States, governments and non-governmental groups, men and women - we can help to ensure that European women will have a greater opportunity to live their later years in good health and independence, with less of the burden imposed by disability and disease.
