LIFE CYCLE APPROACH

life cycle approach ( 2 ) Anticipates and meets women’s health needs from infancy through old age Emphasizes health-seeking behavior and appropriate services to meet women’s health needs throughout their lives Recognizes the right of all women to make informed decisions about their health A life cycle approach to women’s health:

life cycle approach ( 3 ) Health and nutritional problems affecting women during the life cycle Women and girls have special health needs throughout their lives. Health systems should recognize and address women’s health problems throughout the life cycle.

life cycle approach ( 4 ) Actions, both positive and negative, taken at one stage in a woman’s life can and will affect her throughout her life. For example: Exclusive breastfeeding during the first 4-6 months provides infants with the antibodies and nourishment needed to begin a healthy life. A woman who develops a reproductive tract infection and does not receive appropriate treatment can become infertile. Girls fed inadequately during childhood may have stunted growth, leading to higher risk of obstructed labor. A life cycle perspective

life cycle approach ( 5 ) What does the life cycle approach mean for health systems? Reproductive health services must address the specific and often- neglected health needs of young girls, adolescents, and women in their post-reproductive years. Some specific actions include: For girls/adolescents: Promote adequate nutrition Ensure equal access to information and education about sexuality and reproduction Protect girls/adolescents from harmful traditional practices For post-reproductive age women: Encourage women to continue seeking health care throughout their menopausal and post-menopausal years Provide screening and accessible treatment for breast and gynecological cancers and uterine prolapse

life cycle approach ( 6 ) Socio-economic status has significant impact on women’s health throughout their lives life cycle approach Women are more likely than men to be: Poor Less educated Of lower social status Many women have special health needs, limited access to health services, and little sense of entitlement to health care. Actions to improve women’s education, economic status, and legal rights are essential to improving the quality of women’s health and lives. Burdened with heavy work from an early age Victims of domestic and sexual violence ( 6 )

life cycle approach ( 7 ) How can education impact women’s health? Providing women with 7 or more years of education can significantly improve their health and that of their families. Women who have had more than 7 years of schooling are more likely to: Use contraception to control their fertility Have fewer and healthier children Seek health care for themselves and their children Use medication properly

life cycle approach ( 8 ) Men, as family and community members, have vital roles to play in promoting women’s rights and health by: Learning to communicate effectively and openly with women, especially sexual partners Ensuring that their daughters have access to education Providing economic and emotional support for partners during and after pregnancy Taking an active role in preventing unwanted pregnancies and preventing transmission of STIs/HIV/AIDS Educating young men about responsible sexuality Promoting gender equality in the household and community Preventing and condemning violence against women Positive roles for men to play throughout women’s life cycle

life cycle approach ( 9 ) Adolescent childbearing and women’s education Percent of women ages who gave birth by age 18, by education level Less than 7 years of schooling 7 or more years of schooling KenyaPeruEgyptIndonesia Philippines

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