The Commonwealth Fund Women's Health Survey: selected results and comments

The Commonwealth Fund survey had other facets, as well. Questions were asked and answers found in such areas as access to care, health insurance, work and role stress, social support systems, self-esteem and depression, and overall health status. There are 95 million women in America age 18 and over, and there are existing barriers to care, together with insufficient attention to prevention when care is received. Understanding the health risks and problems, The Commonwealth Fund has established a Commission on Women's Health, chaired by Ellen V. Futter, President of The American Museum of Natural History, former President of Barnard College. The Executive Director of the Commission is Joan Leiman, Executive Deputy Vice President, Health Sciences Division, Columbia University. The Fund is to be commended for the detailed information gathered and for establishing a follow-up program to make these pervasive health problems more widely known to the public and to health policy makers. Copies of the survey are available from the Communications Office at The Commonwealth Fund, (212) 535-0400.