WHO report lists AIDS as leading cause of death in women

November 10, 7:45 AMIndianapolis Healthy Living ExaminerAmanda C. Strosahl

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African women at the health post of the Sam Ouandja refugee camp
African women are the most affected by HIV/AIDS.
(Photo:hdptcar/ / CC BY 2.0 )

A report released by the World Health Organization (WHO) lists HIV/AIDS as the worldwide leading cause of death for women in their reproductive years (ages 15-44). The report Women and Health: Today’s Evidence Tomorrow’s Agenda, which focuses on the health needs and circumstances of women worldwide, was released on Monday, November 9, 2009.

The highest percentages for female death from HIV/AIDS occurs in low- and middle-income countries (22.3% and 15.4%, respectively), with unsafe sex being the highest risk factor.

“Young women are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection, due to a combination of biological factors, lack of access to information and services, and social norms and values that undermine their ability to protect themselves,” states the report. (Women and Health: Today’s Evidence Tomorrow’s Agenda, page 31)

Referring to Africa, the report continues, “Although many young girls have heard about HIV/AIDS, only 38% are able to describe correctly the main ways to avoid infection.” (page 32.)

"We will not see significant progress as long as women are regarded as second-class citizens in so many parts of the world," said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General. "In so many societies, men exercise political, social and economic control. The health sector has to be concerned. These unequal power relations translate into unequal access to health care and unequal control over health resources," she added.

Even in high-income countries, HIV/AIDS is still a major health concern for women. Approximately one out of every four Americans living with HIV/AIDS is a woman. HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death in African American women between the ages of 25 and 34 years.

"It's time to pay girls and women back, to make sure that they get the care and support they need to enjoy a fundamental human right at every moment of their lives, that is their right to health," said Dr Chan.

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