Women, Health and Development

Women, Health and Development in the Americas: An Annotated Bibliography

c/o Pan-American Health Organization

525 Twenty-Third Street, NW

Washington, DC 20037

USA

This bibliography was published as part of the Plan of Action adopted by the Pan-American Health Organization, which sets forth goals, objectives and actions to be taken in order to achieve "health for all by the year 2000." "The exchange and dissemination of information constitutes one of the priority areas of the Plan of Action," the publication states. The bibliography lists a representative sample of the great number of materials published recently on the subject of women and health, referring as much as possible to the condition of women in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The bibliography is divided into two main sections: (1) Women and Health, which covers 25 subject categories such as abortion, birth control, health care and self-help; and (2) Women and Development, which focuses on issues such as women and education, rural development and work, highlighting the health aspect of each. The appendices contain additional bibliographical information. The bibliography is published in both English and Spanish.

WHO Chronicle

World Health Organization

Distribution and Sales Service, 1211

Geneva 27

Switzerland

Published every two months by the World Health Organization (WHO), this bulletin is directed especially at medical and public health professionals. It gives an account of the health activities launched in various countries with the collaboration of the WHO and summaries of the most recent WHO publications. The journal is published in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. One 1984 issue (vol. 38, no. 4) includes a supplement listing "proposed international nonproprietary names for pharmaceutical substances."

Women and Development in Zambia: An Annotated Bibliography

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Addis Ababa

Ethiopia

This 1983 bibliography was prepared by Susan Antiewicz and M. Shimwayyi Muntemba, consultants to the African Training and Research Centre for Women of the Economic Commission for Africa. One section on "Health and Nutrition" includes an interesting list of materials relating to the role women play in promoting the nutrition and health of their community. Other interesting listings concern issues such as family planning and the use of traditional medicines.

Health, Safety and the Consumer

International Organization of Consumers Unions

P.O. Box 1045

Penang

Malaysia

Report of an April 1983 seminar in Japan organized by the International Organization of Consumers Unions (IOCU), which brought together more than 300 persons to discuss the actions of nongovernmental organizations with regard to health, environmental hygiene and trade in toxic substances. The harmful effects of certain pharmaceutical products were also discussed. Special emphasis was placed on the need to educate consumers on health matters and to set legal standards to regulate the marketing of toxic substances.

Guia de Salud Para Promotoras

(Health Guide for Women Health Workers)

Comunicacion, Intercambio y Desarrollo Humano en America Latina Apartado Postal 579

Cuernavaca

62000 Morelos

Mexico

This guide is of indescribable value for health promoters. It is written in a clear and instructional style with many diagrams, graphics and tables to illustrate the content. The guide is divided into the following seven chapters: (1) Methods, which are defined as "the instruments with which we work and how we use them"; (2) Causes of Illness, a chapter which aims to "try to understand what health is and its relation to the life we live, especially to the socioeconomic system around us"; (3) Sexuality, which "refers not only to the reproductive organs, but also to what we feel and think about ourselves as well as how we relate to the people around us"; (4) Contraception, which aims "to see how family planning programs in reality try to manage and control the population under the pretext that we are poor because we are so many"; (5) Pregnancy and Childbirth - "we must convince women that there is no obligation to become mothers simply because we are women"; (6) Children and Common Childhood Illnesses and (7) Nutrition.

Choice Guide to Birth Control

Australian Consumer's Association

57 Carrington Road

Marrickville

New South Wales 2204

Australia

This 146-page book by Penny Kane and John Porter includes interesting and practical information about contraceptives, including the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods.

Consumer Currents

Consumer Information and Documentation Centre

International Organization of Consumers Unions

P.O. Box 1045

Penang

Malaysia

This bulletin is published ten times a year by the Consumer Information and Documentation Center (CIDOC) of the International Organization of Consumers Unions (IOCU). IOCU is a "nonprofit and nonpolitical foundation which links the activities of some 120 groups that serve consumers' interests in over 50 countries." The bulletin includes information of special interest to groups and individuals working on consumer issues. Each number includes excellent information on the Infant Feeding Campaign, health and drugs.

World Health Forum

World Health Organization

1211 Geneva 27

Switzerland

A quarterly publication of the World Health Organization, World Health Forum is "an international journal of health development aimed not only for those actively working in the field of health but also professionals in other sectors to whom health issues are of importance." Its main objective is to provide a platform for the international exchange of experiences, ideas and opinions on all aspects of public health. A recent issue (vol. 6, no. 1, 1985) includes two interesting articles on primary health care. The journal is published in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish and Russian.

Growing Older, Getting Better

by Jane Porcino

Addison-Wesley Publishing Company

Reading, Massachusetts

USA

This book is subtitled "A Handbook for Women in the Second Half of Life." Aimed especially at middle-aged and elderly women in the United States, it offers support and advice through facts, personal stories and illustrations. The 364-page book is divided into 15 chapters which cover issues such as menopause, the physical process of aging, financial independence and the major health threats to older women.

Healthsharing

Box 230, Station M

Toronto, Ontario M6S 4T3

Canada

This is a quarterly journal first published in 1980. It features news and information on different health issues, with special emphasis on health concerns of different geographical regions. It also includes book reviews and sections listing resources and events.

Mothers and Children

American Public Health Association

International Health Programs

1015 Fifteenth St., NW

Washington, DC 20005

USA

This bulletin is published three times a year in English, French and Spanish by the Clearinghouse on Infant Feeding and Maternal Nutrition. It includes information Third World health programs and policies as well as reports on current research and new resources.

Health: The Fruit of Struggle

Komite ng Sambayanang Pilipino

3572 XL Utrecht

Netherlands

A publication of the Filipino People's Committee, this work shows how health conditions of the Filipino people have deteriorated with the growing economic and political crisis in the country. It also examines the role of foreign multinationals in the existing health care system and describes some of the severe health hazards resulting from certain development projects and programs. One very good article discusses specific health problems suffered by women and several others describe initiatives that respond effectively to the health needs of the people.

Association of Radical Midwives Newsletter

Soo Downs

Flat 146

Cavendish Court

Cavendish Street

Derby DE1 1UD

England

Quarterly newsletter of the Association of Radical Midwives. According to the newsletter editors, each issue "includes an editorial, the minutes from our quarterly meetings, articles, book/film reviews, lists of useful books, addresses, etc., a section on midwifery abroad, organizations and technical information and reports from our various working parties and regional groups."

Women's Health Information Centre Newsletter

52 Featherstone Street

London EC1

England

The Women's Health Information Centre is a national information and resource center for women's health issues run by a collective of 17 women working in the health field as health workers, teachers, writers and researchers. They strive to "make information on women's health available to women, to support self-help groups, to work for improvements in health services for women, and to publicize and campaign on women's health issues." The resource center gathers information from a wide variety of sources, ranging from women's personal testimonies to medical literature. Besides publishing a quarterly newsletter, the center puts out "broadsheets" on themes such as women's health and food, work and stress, and unemployment. Each broadsheet "attempts to define the issue, explore how it affects women, and offer possible solutions/alternatives."

Health Letters

The Project for Health Education

P.O. Box 577

Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501

USA

Health Letters is published each month in both English and Spanish. Each issue addresses one specific health problem, discussing the symptoms of the illness, how to treat it, when to call the doctor, and how to prevent it. Some of the health issues addressed in the past have been nutrition, the common cold, sore throats, and the rights of patients. It is written in a simple and direct style.

Black Women's Health Project News

450 Auburn Avenue No. 157

Atlanta, Georgia 30312

USA

Published quarterly, this newsletter aims to "accept and encourage articles and correspondence from individuals whose work focuses specifically on the health and care of Black women." Each newsletter presents interesting information on specific health issues such as lupus, nutrition, and old age, and reports news on conferences, resources, and the formation of self-help groups.

Counterfact

Centre for Education and Documentation Health Cell

3 Suleman Chambers

4 Battery Street

Behind Regal Cinema

Bombay 400 039

India

An informative bulletin published by the CED Health Cell. Each bulletin is a monograph. Some recent issues have been entitled "Pills for Everyone," "Asbestos, a Powder that Kills," and "Health and the Workplace." The information presented makes special reference to the health situation in India.

Breaking the Rules in 1984

The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN)

310 E 38th St., Suite 301

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55409

USA

Published in December 1984, this report includes information and illustrations of inappropriate marketing practices by infant formula companies in all parts of the world. It is the result of IBFAN's year-long monitoring of corporations' compliance with the World Health Organization's code of conduct for marketing infant formula. "Our investigators uncovered over 400 violations of the code during their research in 14 countries. The largest companies — Abbot/Ross, American Home Products, Bristol-Myers, Cooperative condemns Fabrick and Nestle – committed 75 percent of all violations," the publication states.

Right to Choose

62 Regent St.

Chippendale 20008

New South Wales

Australia

This magazine is produced by the Women's Abortion Action Campaign in Sydney, Australia. It covers a wide range of issues relating to reproductive rights, such as the dangers of contraceptives Depo Provera and Dalkon shield, the ideology of population control and new reproductive technologies. In issue no. 28 there is a complete report on the Amsterdam conference on reproductive rights.

Who Needs Depo Provera?

Community Rights Project

157 Waterloo Road

London,SE1

England

A pamphlet written by Marge Berer of the Community Rights Project for "women who feel they don't know enough about Depo Provera." It presents clearly written information on the risk of using Depo Provera and what can be done if you experience problems caused by the contraceptive. It also describes abuses of Depo Provera that have been reported throughout the world and what action can be taken against them. Much of the information is based on material presented by the Coordinating Group on Depo Provera before the Public Hearing on Depo Provera, April 25, 1983. The pamphlet also reprints letters from women who have used the drug and cartoons illustrating the text.

Diarrhea Dialogue

AHRTAG

85 Marylebone High Street

London W1M 3DE

England

A quarterly newsletter published in response to the "need to spread information about oral rehydration therapy and diarrheal disease control." Each issue treats a separate theme such as water and sanitation, mothers' attitudes to diarrhea, breastfeeding, and health education. The newsletter is published in English, French and Spanish.

The Association for Improvement in Maternity Services Journal

163 Liverpool Road

London N1ORF

England

A quarterly journal presenting information and news concerning campaigns for better maternity services, obstetric practices, scientific papers, book and film reviews, testimonies, current research and developments. An excellent source of information and support.

Action Guide: On Implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes

World Health Organization

1211 Geneva 27

Switzerland

This action guide was developed by the participants of the workshop on implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes held in Harare, Zimbabwe in January 1983 and jointly organized by the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the United Nations Commonwealth Secretariat. The guide suggests specific measures which are likely to ensure implementation of the Code, precise legal instruments suited for this, methods of ensuring effective action and examples of inappropriate marketing practices. The guide stresses the importance of women's role in this process.

Submission to the Public Hearing on Depo Provera

Women's Health Information Centre

52 Featherstone Street

London EC1

England

This testimony was presented by the England-based Coordinating Group on Depo Provera and by independent witnesses at a public hearing on April 25, 1983. It is based, say the witnesses, on "an assessment of the published literature on Depo Provera and on case histories of users and ex-users of the drug, whose experiences show a notable consistency." A year after the public hearing, the panel submitted its recommendations to the British Minister of Health. In April 1984, the Minister decided to grant a long-term license to Upjohn Corporation for the sale of Depo Provera in England.

Health for the Millions

Voluntary Health Association of India

C-14 Community Centre

Safdarjung Development Area

New Delhi 110016

India

Founded in 1974, the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) is a nonprofit organization formed by a federation of 15 state and regional voluntary health organizations, linking over 3000 health institutions, projects and community health programs throughout the country. VHAI's main activities are educational and training programs, seminars and workshops for the voluntary sector, infant nutrition and information service. Their main objective is to help make health services accessible for all people in India, especially those living in rural areas.

VHAI's bimonthly journal, Health for the Millions, takes a critical look at health care in India. The August 1984 issue (vol. X, no. 4) includes articles by various voluntary health associations which evaluate the development of the volunteer health movement in recent years. Other articles study new initiatives in making low-cost and essential drugs available, including those that look beyond the prescription drugs toward traditional home remedies. VHAI also publishes a monthly newsletter, Information, which informs readers about conferences and other events, training programs, and new resources available at the documentation center. VHAI is an excellent source of information on the health situation in India and the alternatives people are creating.

 

About Isis International

Isis International is a women's information and communication service.

• Promoting communication channels among women around the world.
• Strengthening women's networks nationally, regionally and internationally.
• Providing information and models of action for women who are organising and mobilising against the oppression of women.
• Building links of support and solidarity among women's groups and organisations worldwide.

Through the Isis International Women's Journal, women around the world share ideas and experiences for mobilisation and organisation. The Journal provides a channel for women to make contact with each other and build up networks. Each issue of the Journal is produced jointly with one or more women's groups in the Third World.

Women in Action is the supplement to the Journal. It gives news and information about groups, conferences, events and resources - what is happening in the women's movement worldwide. The Journal and supplement each appear twice a year. Subscription rates are on the back cover. Isis International has a network of over 10,000 contacts in 150 countries and a resource centre with thousands of documents — magazines, studies, newsletters, pamphlets, etc. - from all over the world on the issues women are working on: health, women's alternative media, development, transnationals, housework, child care, tourism, violence against women, sexuality, peace, theories of feminism and more.

Isis International:

• Provides technical assistance and training in communication skills and information management.
• Organises conferences and workshops.
• Distributes the Isis International Resource Guide on Audiovisuals for Women and the Isis Guide to Women in Development.

For more information write to us in our resource centres:

Isis International

Via Santa Maria dell'Anima, 30

00186 - Rome, Italy

Tel: (06)6565842

 

Isis Internacional

Casilla 2067, Correo Central

Santiago, Chile

Tel: 490271