Introduction

King Saud University has taken the lead in the region to address women health problems through women’s health research chair.

Gender differences relate not only to size, hormones, and the reproductive system, but there are many other differences that can impact overall health.

The result is that men and women may experience the same diseases at different rates or with different symptoms, or they may experience different kinds of illness altogether.

The fact of being male or female leads to different socialization, expectations, and lifestyles. Thus, gender roles and related exposures to stress and as well as health-promoting social ties affect and interact with health.

Despite women's life expectancy is longer than men, their later life is often characterized by isolation, disability and health problems.

Menopause brings many physiological changes for women and places them at risk of developing cardiovascular disease or osteoporosis.

Cardio-vascular disease, often thought to be a "male" problem, is the leading killer of women. Women often show different symptoms from men, and this contributes to under diagnosis of heart disease. Women also tend to develop heart disease later in life than men.

The prevalence of osteoporosis among older women, coupled with the loss of agility and balance, result in a high number of fractures in women, often leading to severe disability or death.

Women’s health during the reproductive or fertile years (between the ages of 15 and 49 years) is relevant not only to women themselves, but also has an impact on the health and development of the next generation.

Mental health problems, particularly depression, are major causes of disability for women of all ages. While the causes of mental ill-health may vary from one individual to another, women’s low status in society, their burden of work and the violence

they experience are all contributing factors.

It is essential to address the health and development needs of adolescents if they are to make a healthy transition to adulthood. Recognizing the specific needs of adolescents and recommending specific appropriate programmes, such as education and information on pubertal changes, reproductive and sexual health issues is mandatory.

Supporting adolescents to establish healthy habits in adolescence will bring major health benefits later in life, including reduced mortality and disability due to cardiovascular diseases, stroke and cancers.

While this research chair studies differences between women and men, it is not  just

about women and not just for women. Addressing women’s health is a necessary and effective approach to strengthening health systems overall – action that will benefit everyone.

Improving women’s health matters to women, to their families, communities and societies at large.

Improve women’s health – improve the world.