In honor of Women's History Month, let's take a look back at women's health and highlight some of the key issues facing women in 2024. Use this guide to recognize the warning signs and be prepared to talk to your doctor about your risk factors.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for U.S. women, accounting for 1 in 5 women, and they are more likely than men to die younger or become disabled due to disability. The CDC reports that 44% of women have some type of cardiovascular disease. Women don't always have traditional symptoms, so it's easy to miss warning signs. For example, in men, chest pain is a typical symptom of a heart attack. For women, it can manifest as nausea, lightheadedness, unusual fatigue, back pain, and even jaw pain.
breast cancer. It is the second most common cancer faced by women in the United States, accounting for 30% of new female cancers each year. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2023, 297,790 new U.S. women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer and 43,700 will die from invasive breast cancer. In addition to knowing your family history for genetic risks, early screening is also important.
Osteopenia and osteoporosis. These diseases result from varying degrees of bone density and bone loss and/or changes in bone structure. Women are more likely to develop osteopenia and osteoporosis because of the decrease in estrogen that occurs during menopause, which directly affects osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Bone density.
Mental health and depression.According to the National Institute of Mental Health, estimated
12 million women suffer from depression, compared to approximately 6 million men. Hormonal changes can often be the culprit, but relationship issues, financial issues, work-life balance, and cultural stressors can also play a role. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention reports that in 2021, adult women were 1.33 times more likely to attempt suicide than men.
Autoimmune disease. Approximately 76% of these diseases, which occur when the body's immune system attacks healthy cells, occur in women. These represent more than 80 diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Crohn's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Recent research has proven that many autoimmune diseases are primarily caused by chronic inflammation.
Hormone dysfunction. Hormone imbalances can cause health problems, and women are affected at every stage of life. While common hormones like estrogen and progesterone get the most attention, it's important to also look at testosterone levels, insulin, and thyroid hormones. Some hormonal disorders, such as diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome, are correlated with genetic mutations that run in families. Risk factors include age, ethnicity, medications, weight, previous ovarian surgery, tumors, inflammation, and other lifestyle factors.
Jennifer Campbell, an Army veteran, is a certified personal trainer with a master's degree in nutrition education. She served as commander of California Corps District 24 and Hollywood Post 43.
