CDC contributions to women's health: focusing on prevention in midlife.

Abstract

201 MANY NOTABLE PUBLIC HEALTH achievements occurred during the 1900s. Two of the great public health achievements for the 20th century specifically focused on women—healthier mothers and babies and family planning. During the 20th century, the health and life expectancy of people residing in the United States improved dramatically.1 Prevention played a significant role then, and it continues to plays a significant role today. Although the health and safety of women have improved, much remains to be done. For women in their midlife, 45–64 years of age, the leading causes of death include cancer, heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease. The challenges lie in reducing some of the risk factors responsible for many chronic diseases, such as obesity, smoking, and lack of physical activity. Chronic diseases account for 70% of all deaths in the United States. The medical care costs of people with chronic diseases account for more than 60% of the nation’s medical care costs, and chronic diseases account for one third of the years of potential life lost before age 65. Women comprise more than half the people who die each year of cardiovascular disease.2 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects people’s health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries, enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues, and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations. With a diverse array of programs and activities that focus on women at every stage of life, CDC makes contributions to better understand and use prevention to reduce illness, disability, and death and to improve the quality of life. Much of this is possible because of the vital partnerships with public and private entities, such as state and local public health agencies, practicing health professionals, schools and universities, community organizations, industry and labor, foundations, and international organizations. Partnerships between CDC and women’s health advocacy groups, minority organizations, professional associations, and others have helped increase the number and type of prevention programs available to women. They have increased the understanding of the challenges, gaps, and opportunities and helped to develop innovative solutions to address some of these issues. Such partnerships have also enhanced policy development and fueled agencies, organizations, and individuals to take action. For CDC, the focus of the research and programs is prevention. Although some of the research and programs are well established, others are small, and still others are new. The expectation is that each has or will contribute to the science, understanding, policy, program design, quality of service, decision making, or action taken to improve the health and safety of women.