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Tough new federal and state actions are needed to prevent children and young people from lighting up. In the past few years, it has become disturbingly clear that the remarkable […]

Current scientific findings indicate that environmental factors affect women’s health. Specifically, evidence has accumulated on the effects of the environment on reproductive health, cancer, injury, respiratory problems, autoimmune diseases, and other health problems. To review the current state of the science and policies related to women’s health and the environment, the Federal Interagency Working Group on Women’s Health and the Environment of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Society for Women’s Health Research jointly sponsored a conference in 1998 entitled Women’s Health and the Environment: Innovations in Science and Policy. The aim of the conference was to provide a forum for scientists to share recent findings, promising avenues of research, methodological barriers, and data gaps about women’s susceptibility to environmental agents. The conference generated 22 recommendations for policy, 17 recommendations for communication and training, and 48 recommendations for research to be considered by the federal government. The purpose of this review is to bring to the attention of the scientific community and policymakers the breadth of the women’s health implications associated with environmental factors by highlighting key research findings presented at the conference. This review summarizes the current status of science in women’s health, it describes relevant activities by the federal government, and it suggests recommendations for future research and policy initiatives in the context of women’s health and the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the research conducted by the Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) of the National Institute of Health (NIH). The ORWH conducts research focusing on women's health to be able to respond to the need of advancing women in biomedical careers. This process of conducting research is the most important function of the ORWH. The participants of the research suggested strategies that would help in the promotion of women's health research. Suggestions include the translation of research results for policy making purposes, enhancement of professional partnerships and increasing efforts for public education.

Highlights the IOM report `Growing Up Tobacco Free,' which indicates the steps to be taken to reduce tobacco-related death and disease. Points on which the strategy is based; Prevention of onset of tobacco use; Conclusion.