Rethinking a women's health care agenda

The baby boom population has entered middle age. In addition many people, especially women, are living into old age. These are large population cohorts that are politically engaged. Also there is money to be made by commercial stakeholders in responding to the health risks of these women. The definition of women's health care needs has changed in the past decade. Traditionally the defining characteristics of women's health policy were reproduction, childbearing and a woman's role as a sexual partner. Today it also includes the way that different diseases affect women and the best way to reach women at risk for a wide range of conditions, e.g., heart disease, cancer and depression.