CLIO, eine periodische zeitschrift zur selbsthilfe, (a journal of self-help). quarterly in German, DM 3.-- per issue or DM 11.-- per annum, from Feministischen Frauen Gesundheits Zentrum, Postfach 360 368, 1000 Berlin 36, Federal Republic of Germany.

Each issue concentrates on a specific theme :

no. 0: Women prevent closing of abortion clinic in Holland (1976)
no. 1/2 : I was on a self-help course/lesbians and self-help no. 3 : Self-help throughout the world
no. 4 : The politics of population and sterilisation abuse (1977)
no. 5 : Menopause and the myth of motherhood
no. 6 : Alternatives in treatment ( 1978)
no. 7 : Self-help worldwide

An extremely useful and clear publication. Highly recommended.

Health Packets Boston Women's Health Book Collective Box 192, West Somerville, Mass. 02144, USA.

These bi-monthly packets contain reprints of articles gathered from a wide variety of sources (feminist, medical establishment, technical and scientific journals, population control literature, newspapers etc.) on all issues having to do with women's health. This is a very important resource for those who need or want to keep up with the latest news and developments. It is especially good in providing information on contraceptive methods, research, laws, medicine, drugs and the latest articles and publications.

Our Bodies, Ourselves

Produced by the Boston Women's Health Book Collective, this is the indispensable resource on women's health by women for women. Originally written in English, it has been translated and adapted in French, Spanish, Italian, Dutch and Japanese. It gives extensive, clear information on contraceptive methods, pregnancy, child birth, genital infections and their cures. Highly recommended

Les racines de la sante/The seeds of Health, film by Peter Krieg, 16 mm colour, 43 minutes available in English.German, French and Spanish) . Produced by Film Oikoumene & Teldok Films, 1976. 

Tells the story of a health programme defined and carried out by the villagers themselves in Chimaltenango, Guatemala. The workers on the programme are not only trained to treat certain symptoms of diseases, but also to deal with the soil, animals, plants, vegetables, etc. The approach to health is total - dealing with land, nutrition, sanitation, water. A film of people taking care of their own health. 

From: Teldok Films, Schillerstrasse 52, D-7800 Freiburg, Fed. Rep. of Germany, or Communication Department, World Council of Churches, 150 Route de Ferney, 1211 Geneva  20 Switzerland

Traditional Medicine, Ira Harrison, Garland, New York, 1976. Co-author, Sheila Cominsky.

A comprehensive annotated bibliography from different parts of the world. Includes sections on maternal and child health. Materials and studies mentioned tend to be old (1950's-1960's). but a useful reference work on this subject.

Les Carnets de l'Enfance/Assignement Children, Unicef, Palais Wilson, Case Postale 11, 1211 Geneva 14, Switzerland.  

This quarterly tri-lingual {English, French , Spanish) publication carries case studies and articles on specific themes. Tends to be "objective" sounding and academic in tone, but has some useful studies. No. 33 deals with alternative approaches to health care, with cases from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand and Botswana. No. 35 deals with nutrition and village resources, covering projects in Upper Volta, Zaire, India, Philippines, Costa Rica and Panama. A good resource.

The use of herbal birth control among Indian women of North America, Barbara Kean, Native American Healing, USA, July 1977. 10 pages (mimeograph). 

Describes the use of herbal medicine on menstruation, pregnancy, abortion, birth control. Studies the action of some plants used by Native American women, (and compares rural African women who use cervical mucus check). Describes interests and risks of herbal birth control. Includes bibliography. This is an important work because it starts to document the way in which women, especially those living in rural areas (i.e. in touch with nature) had and kept control over their reproduction and health. We need more of these kinds of studies. (ISIS 353)

Roles for Women Health Workers in the United States and China, Carol A. Brown, in Women and Health, April 1976. 

The respective roles occupied by women workers in the health sectors in China and the United States are comparatively analyzed. Their relative decision-making capacities, responsibilities, degree of public contact and work objectives and economic systems of the two countries. Suggests ways of concentrated action by women health workers to gain control over health. (ISIS 325) 

This feminist journal is a very useful resource for in depth analysis of the issue affecting women's health such as the control of reproduction, health care systems, health workers, drugs, etc. Emphasis is on the situation in the United States. It is available from Women and Health, State University of New York, College at Old Westbury, Box 210, Old Westbury, Long Island, New York 11568, USA.

China : Revolution and Health, Marc Selden, in HEALTH/PAC Bulletin, no. 47, December 1972.

Almost the entire issue of this bulletin is given over to this long descriptive and analytic report. Tracing the state of health in China before the revolution, the author explains China's health priorities since 1949 - prevention and the mass line, the unification of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, - and the specifics since the Cultural Revolution ( 1966-68) and after; this includes barefoot doctors, reorientation of medical research, cooperative medical system, commune hospitals, and the theories behind self-reliance and decentralization. Very full and thorough.

Women's Health Care, Resources, writings, bibliographies, Belita Cowan, Anshen Publishing, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, 1977. 52 pages. 

An extremely clear and comprehensive (USA) resource guide with brief explanations and literature listings covering the following : patient's rights, gynecological self-help, sterilization abuse, women in health professions, women and drugs, women and alcoholism, childbirth, abortion, birth control, menopause, estrogen therapy, breast cancer, sexuality, psychotherapy, aging, rape. Also lists films, health groups and regular periodicals. An invaluable reference work. US $ 4.00 from Belita Cowan, 556 Second Street, Ann Arbor, Mi . 48103, USA.

Dear Sisters,

A publication is being planned which will present a women's perspective on women and health internationally . The proposed publication, to be coordinated jointly by Isis and the Boston Women's Health Book Collective, will include material from as many countries as possible, and will appear in English and Spanish. 

During the preparation period over the next five or six months, we will be working with many groups and individuals to make the finished publication as useful as possible. We are now soliciting information and suggestions from you . Our working definition of women and health includes the following topics as part of an overall relationship between women and health:between women and health:

• women as paid and unpaid health workers
• women's health and medical care issues
  •     abortion
  •     birth control
  •     childbirth
  •     menopause
  •     sexuality
  •     venereal disease
  •     sterilization
  •     unnecessary surgery
  •     women and drugs
• analyses of social , political and economic forces affecting the relationship between women and health
• organizing efforts and alternatives to improve health and medical care, as developed by women
  •     Provisional plans call for several different types of basic materials to be included in this publication, as follows :
• annotations and reviews of available books, films, periodicals, pamphlets and bibliographies.
• Essays and reports on selected aspects of the relationship between women and health, as defined above.
• A directory of information and referral resources listing all groups which wish to be so listed, by self-description .
  •    We are writing to ask if you will participate in this publication by sending us any of the following:
• a description of your group/your work for listing in the directory
• any publications (books, periodicals, pamphlets etc. including information about films, videos) which should be listed
• analyses, reports and essays about any aspects of women and health listed above
• your comments, suggestions, criticisms and feedback

Replies may be sent in English, French, German, Italian or Spanish. We're looking forward to hearing from you . Thanks for you interest.