Women's health and community health nursing practice in geographically isolated settings: a Canadian perspective

In this article we examine the literature on women's health and community health nursing practice in geographically isolated settings from a Canadian perspective. An extensive review of journal literature, Canadian government documents and reports, and reports by women's organizations forms the basis of this examination. Following a brief introduction to the concept of geographical isolation, literature relating to women's health issues in rural and northern settings is described. This is followed by a discussion of community health nursing practice and women's health in rural and northern settings. The discussion section identifies major gaps in the literature and suggests implications for community health nursing practice and research, as well as strategies for policy and programming to improve women's health and community health nursing practice in geographically isolated settings in Canada.