A CENTURY OF WOMEN’S HEALTH:
1900–2000

Office on Women’s Health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
April 2002

CONTENTS

FOREWORD
MESSAGE TO WOMEN OF THE FUTURE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
DHHS WOMEN’S HEALTH TIME CAPSULE PLANNING COMMITTEE
SUMMARY

CHAPTER 1 : Social and Cultural Factors

I. Changing definitions of women’s health
II. Women as health advocates
III. Women as health care professionals
IV. Women’s employment and health
V. Women’s access to health insurance

CHAPTER 2 : Preventive Health

I. Major health threats at the end of the 20 th century

CHAPTER 3 : Quality of Life

I. Menstrual products
II. Contraception
III. Infertility
IV. Menopause
V. Women with disabilities

CHAPTER 4 : Diagnosis and Treatment

I. Recognizing sex and gender-based differences
II. Sexually transmitted diseases
III. Mental health

CHAPTER 5 : Health Education and Communications

I. Early public health education
II. Truth in labeling
III. Women-led education efforts: The cancer example
IV. The Self-health movement: Our Bodies, Ourselves
V. Targeting women as consumers of health information

CHAPTER 6 : Body Image and Health

I. Changing ideal body types over the century
II. Marketing the image of a female ideal
III. Eating disorders

APPENDICES

A: Women’s Health Events of the 20 th Century
B: Women’s Health Time Capsule Items

REFERENCES

DHHS WOMEN’S HEALTH TIME CAPSULE INITIATIVE SPONSORS

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