Gross inequities in disease burden between developed and developing countries are now the subject of intense global attention. Public and private donors have marshaled resources and created organizational structures to accelerate the development of new health products and to procure and distribute drugs and vaccines for the poor. Despite these encouraging efforts directed primarily from and funded by industrialized countries, sufficiency and sustainability remain enormous challenges because of the sheer magnitude of the problem. Here we highlight a complementary and increasingly important means to improve health equity: the growing ability of some developing countries to undertake health innovation.

No abstract

Gender differences in longevity suggest that the health problems in both developed and developing countries will largely be the problems of older women. As life expectancy increases, the important causes of death and ill health change. Older women's health issues and reproductive health needs are different from those of younger women. Biological susceptibility to various conditions also differs between the sexes. Monitoring of differences in incidence can better direct preventive efforts and contribute to improving the quality of life for aging women worldwide.

No abstract