PREFACE

New Dimensions in Women’s Health, Fourth Edition focuses on women in all their diversity: women who are physically challenged, women of all racial and ethnic groups, women of different sexual orientations, women throughout their lifespan. The text is intended to be neither traditional nor feminine in tone or scope, but an appreciation of the range of perspectives involved in personal decision-making across the dimensions of women’s health. Each chapter includes a global focus that provides an overview of how health issues affect women around the world. This book focuses on women throughout their lifespan and incorporates the many factors that affect health and well-being. Prevention, health promotion, research, clinical intervention, and public policy form the interlocking basis when considering the different diseases, disorders, and conditions that afflict women. This book is for women, recognizing their outstanding contributions as women, daughters, sisters, mothers, nurses, doctors, scientists, laborers, advocates, and much more.

Organization of the Book

New Dimensions in Women’s Health reflects the various dimensions of women’s health through the organization of the book into four areas. Part One, “Social Dimensions of Women’s Health,” introduces students to women’s health issues through the history of the Women’s Health Movement and the political climate around women’s health. One chapter within this section is dedicated to the economics around health, including the payer system in the United States, various insurance plans, healthcare reform, and the economics around the aging population. A third chapter emphasizes health promotion and disease prevention through the various stages of life. Part Two, “Sexual and Reproductive Dimensions of Women’s Health,” addresses issues regarding sexual health and sexuality, as well as sexual violence as a public health problem. A discussion regarding various contraceptive methods, abortion, and information for appropriate decision-making is covered in one chapter, while the various aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and infertility are covered in another chapter. One chapter is devoted to the clinical dimensions and treatment issues of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Reproductive health through the lifespan is explored, with a discussion on menopause and menopause management. Part Three, “Physical and Lifespan Dimensions of Women’s Health,” offers information regarding nutrition, exercise, and weight issues; cardiovascular disease and cancer; chronic diseases, such as osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and Alzheimer’s disease; and various perspectives and clinical dimensions of mental health. The final section, “Interpersonal and Social Dimensions of Women’s Health,” includes discussion of the various dimensions of substance use and abuse, perspectives on violence, abuse, and harassment, as well as current trends and issues for women in the workforce.

Chapter Features

Each chapter of the book comprehensively reviews an important dimension of a woman’s general health and examines the contributing epidemiological, historical, psychosocial, cultural/ethnic, legal, political, and economic influences. Special populations of women are recognized in terms of their particular needs or the distinctive factors that influence their well-being. In addition, special features are distributed throughout each chapter, highlighting and summarizing important concepts, and promoting healthy changes.

  • “It’s Your Health” boxes highlight key factssuch as disease symptoms, screening recommendations, and benefits of healthy behaviors.
  • “Informed Decision Making” sections provide students with steps for making appropriate decisions regarding their health and well-being.
  • Self-assessments provide exercises for students to help them determine their risk of disease and need for modifying behaviors.
  • Self-assessments provide exercises for students to help determine their risk of disease and need for modifying behaviors.
  • “Profiles of Remarkable Women” highlight women who have made noteworthy contributions to the health and well-being of women. The book showcases women as champions of health across the ages and across the lifespan. The women represented are only a sampling of all of the remarkable women who have had an impact on women’s health.
  • “Topics for Discussion” are provided at the end of each chapter to encourage students to consider varying opinions on a topic and to explore the philosophical dimensions surrounding issues of women’s health.
  • A list of Web sites at the end of each chapter enables the student to further explore topics of interest.

Chapter Updates

The fourth edition of New Dimensions in Women’s Health has been updated with the most current health information and statistics, including:

  • Updated data on the leading causes of death in women of various ages
  • New information on same-sex partnerships
  • Updated data on various contraceptive techniques
  • Expanded discussion of Cesarean sections
  • MyPyramid and the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
  • New information on cardiovascular disease
  • New section on cervical cancer screening
  • New statistics on epidemiological trends and issues around substance use and abuse
  • Updated trusted and authoritative resources for students and faculty on each topic

Ancillary Material

New Dimensions in Women’s Health, Fourth Edition includes learning tools for students and teaching tools for instructors. The Web site, provides self-assessments and Web exercises designed to help students learn to evaluate health information found on the Web. For instructors teaching this course, an instructor’s manual, PowerPoint slides, and a computerized TestBank are available on the text’s Web site. These resources, along with an Image and Table Bank, are also available on an easy-to-use Instructor’s ToolKit CD-ROM (ISBN-13: 978-0-7637-4439-7; ISBN-10: 0-7637-4439-5).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work has benefited greatly from the guidance and understanding of our families and friends. A very special thanks goes to Douglas Skinner, Suzanne and Stewart Bader, Steve Noyes, Frances and Joseph Garfield, and Roslyn Berger. Deep appreciation is extended to William James Alexander, MS, for his editorial support and development of our new Instructor’s Manual. Thank you to Jacqueline Mark-Geraci, Acquisitions Editor, Amy Flagg, Editorial Assistant, Julie Bolduc, Senior Production Editor, Jennifer Ryan, Production Assistant, and Wendy Thayer, Associate Marketing Manager.