International Women's Health

When discussing international women's health care it is probably easier to have thousands of words and go country by country. Internationally speaking, the women's health care system will differ. In the United States we pay for all health care, even women's health care. If insurance is involved there is a co-pay, deductible, and possibly more payment to be made depending on the tests run. Thousands of dollars can be spent each year.

In much of Europe, UK, and Canada international women's health care is free. Government systems have been set up so that everyone gets the treatments they need, regardless of who they are. Germany and France are considered the two countries with the best international women's health care systems.

In international women's health care one can also focus on third world countries. In parts of Africa, China and India (as examples), international women's health care is almost non-existent. Local cultures may have medicine men or women to deal with health care. They rely on old traditions and medicinal remedies. Hospitals are existent in these countries, but they are in the larger cities where international women's health care is more of a priority than the outlying areas.

Many of these countries that struggle for health care, let alone international women's health care rely on countries willing to help out. The US and other European countries send in medical professionals to treat villages, offer vaccines, and perform other medical needs. Women may go for years without seeking women's health examinations or even obtaining prenatal vitamins for pregnancy in these countries.

As a general overview of the international women's health systems, it is easy to see that things need to change. Focus needs to be placed on getting women involved. Even in countries that have great health care systems women tend to place their health secondary to other things like working or raising their family. The world needs to focus more on women's health to ensure longevity. Medical professionals need to also get out there and push women's health needs to get women looking at their health, and what could occur if they leave off.

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