Download Women's Health: A Broader Definition and Critical Analysis - Prof. Michele Berger and more Study notes International Women's Voices in PDF only on Docsity! Guiding Questions What is health? Is it just the absence of disease? When Second Wave Feminists Took a Critical Look At Women’s Experience of Health and Health Care—What did they find? How do we think about the role of intersectionality and women’s health? UN World Health Organization (WHO) Health as “ a state of complete (Women’s Lives 222) Broader Definition of health So, if we take this expanded definition of health as important than we might say that the state of women’s health in the nation and globally, has been and continues to be endangered… Examples??? Examples Cooking and Pollution: Most women tend to be in charge of cooking When they cook over open fires or traditional stoves, they breathe in a ……..on a daily basis. Examples Food Security --Poor female nutrition early in life reduces learning potential, increases reproductive and maternal health risks, and lowers productivity. 2nd Wave Feminists Critical look at Women’s Experience of Health & Health Care “Women’s health have been a central concern for feminists for the past forty years” (Women’s Lives 222) What did they find? Discoveries sexism and hostility toward women’s bodies Domestic violence as a health issue Lack of women health professionals Through Activism They Created New Models and Approaches to Women’s Health created a context for women to take back their power and investigate their own bodies Self-education Prevention Created research opportunities Race, Class, Gender: Intersectional Approaches to Understanding Women’s Health Intersectionality 2009 North Carolina Women’s Health Report Card (sponsored by UNC’s Center for Women’s Health Research) Chronic Disease Heart Disease deaths per 100,000 (ages 15 & over) 2003 2007 Grade All 238.4 195.3 B White 227.0 187.2 B African American 296.0 244.2 B American Indian 295.1 186.0 A Hispanic 56.8 44.3 A White 20.9 25.7 F African American 42.4 45.4 F American Indian 37.9 34.2 C Hispanic 18.7 26.7 F Infectious Disease HIV disease per 100,000 women 2003 2007 GRADE ALL 14.9 12.4 C White 3.4 2.8 B African American 50.5 42.9 F American Indian * * Hispanic 17.4 12.2 C Barriers to Health Percentage of women age 18+ with no health insurance coverage 2003 2007 Grade All 15.5 16.5 C White 12.2 11.4 C African American 15.4 19.3 F American Indian 22.6 24.3 D Hispanic 63.1 62.4 F Medicalization of Reproductive Life Feminists rethink pregnancy, childbirth and menopause Reproductive Justice ‘Reproductive Oppression’ This oppression has been implemented through the controlling and exploiting of women and girls through our bodies, sexuality, and reproduction (both biological and social) by families, communities and institutions. The regulation of reproduction and exploitation of women's bodies and labor is both a tool and a result of systems of oppression based on race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, and immigration status (Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice, 2005). ‘Reproductive Justice’: evolves out of organizational strength of multiracial coalitions and theorizing by women of color Uniquely American—is part of reproductive rights framework and social justice
