Women's health and health in Africa

A focus on the heath of women has two objectives: to protect a vulnerable population and to support people who can act as agents of change. Abundant evidence shows that support to women can lead to improved health status and income levels in both households and communities. Changes in the health status of women serve as an important measure of overall WHO performance.

• Women and health report 2009
• 10 facts about women's health

For reasons of history, geography, climate and ecology, countries in sub-Saharan Africa bear the greatest burden of ill health and disease. Improvements in the health status of people in sub-Saharan Africa also serve as an important measure of the overall effectiveness of WHO activities.

• Africa's Working