The theme of this year's World Health Day is healthy mothers and children. However, the health of all women, including older women should be a global priority. 

Older women living in poverty often have poor health as a result of multiple pregnancies and a life filled with hard physical labour. Studies in developing countries have found that women experience gynaecological problems throughout their reproductive years and beyond. 

As women approach the menopause, they are at risk from symptoms associated with hormonal changes, heart disease, stroke and osteoporosis. Older women often do not understand their unique health risks and clinics in developing countries do little to meet their needs.

Older women need to stay healthy

In a world where older women are increasingly making a valuable contribution to society, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, it is vital provisions for their health care are made. 11 million children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Nine of ten of these orphans, live in extended families where the responsibility for care often falls on grandparents, usually the grandmother. 

Catherine, 15, is the eldest of eight grandchildren being cared for by her 80 year-old grandmother Irene, in Malawi. "Our grandmother is so wonderful. She helps us in so many ways. She feeds us, dresses us and brings us up properly. When we see her, we see our mother. We are so grateful that she is still with us."

Therefore it is vital that grandmothers like Irene, stay healthy. HelpAge International has found that getting access to health care can often be the most difficult hurdle that older people face.

Obstacles to accessing health care

Research by HelpAge International to monitor access to health services for older people in Kenya, Tanzania, Bolivia, revealed the following:
Attitudes of hospital staff towards older people can be disrespectful, with older people often at the back of the queue at medical clinics 
Older people in rural communities often travel long distances to access health facilities and therefore less likely to do so on a regular basis. 

Rather than travel long distances for immediate treatment, some older people prefer to rely on traditional healers. 

Medicines can be expensive and therefore unaffordable for older people with no fixed income. 

Old age is seen as a disease and sickness as part of the disease. 

Without documentation such as birth certificates, proving an older person's age can be difficult and result in them being denied the free health care to which they are entitled. 

A call for action

As the focus of governments around the world moves towards the UN review of the Millennium Development Goals in September 2005, HelpAge International asks that the goals on maternal and child health be seen within a lifecycle approach. 

The international community must:
Address women's health needs throughout life and the cumulative impacts of lifetime poor quality health on women in old age. 

Acknowledge and support the crucial role of older women who support and care for young mothers and children, including as traditional birth attendants.