Today is World Health Day, one day out of the year when people across the globe reflect, raise awareness and take action on health issues that affect the world community.
Today, it’s critical to not just acknowledge the ways that health issues affect our lives, but the way that our changing world impacts our health. In “Life’s Precious Trio: Water, Women and Health,” Elayne Clift divulges the profound impact that water – or a lack thereof – has on women across the world.
She writes, “In a single day, more than 200 million collective hours of women’s time is consumed by collecting water for domestic use. And more than 600 million women live without safe drinking water and basic hygiene facilities.” We can and must do better. Addressing climate change and the other environmental factors that affect shortages and demanding that when it comes to equality, water is a must – this is necessary to ensure every human in the world – woman, man or child – has this basic resource to live a full, healthy life.
So when you think about World Health Day today, let’s not only acknowledge the significant role that women play in the health movements across the planet, but remember how vital that planet’s resources are to the health and well-being of women worldwide.
Barbara Seaman (1935-2008) © Linda Stein
A Changemaker in Women’s Health
On World Health Day and for our spring issue, On The Issues honors Barbara Seaman, a pioneer in women’s health care. In the 1970s, Seaman sparked a feminist health movement that urged women to take their health into their own hands – and demand that their health care needs be met. In our tribute, ten individuals share how Seaman inspired their work and lives. Barbara Ehrenreich writes:
Let it be remembered that in the eyes of the medical profession, big Pharma and various other establishment players, Barbara Seaman was a real nuisance – noisy, unstoppable, and, and when necessary, downright disruptive. […]
Barbara was like a fairy godmother to those of us who were becoming women's health activists in the 70s. She promoted us, encouraged us, cajoled us, and – yes – sometimes pushed us a little harder than we wanted to be pushed.
While Barbara is no longer with us, her legacy will live on as women’s health rights undergo some of the most significant challenges we've faced in a long time – as we push forward in protecting our rights, her strength and perseverance should serve as an example for all of us to follow.
The Latest at the Café
Check out the incredible short pieces and poem we have in the Café – they're not to miss!
Infrastructure: Fiction Techniques and Shaping Public Health by Lise Saffran
Poetry: Reliving the Nuclear Nightmare by Karen Ethelsdattar
Four Bags: My Mother's Gift of Giving Simply by Sarah Flint Erdreich
OTI News: On The Issues on Blog Talk Radio!
On The Issues is thrilled to feature a Blog Talk Radio show with writers from our spring issue, " The Ecology of Women."
JoAnn Kawell will host as we chat with contributors Karen Charman, Margie Kelly and Carolyn Raffensperger about their OTI pieces and the larger conversation about how the environment shapes women's lives.
So mark your calendars for April 20th at 11:00 AM EST and make sure to tune in here!
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Thanks for reading!
http://www.ontheissuesmaazine.com
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