WHO Announces AIDS as Leading Cause of Death for Women 15-44

The Associated Press is reporting that the World Health Organization has conducted its first ever global women's health study and that they have come to a conclusion that AIDS is the leading cause of death for women between the ages of 15 and 44. The World Health Organization explained that women are at risk to AIDS and other diseases due to a lack of knowledge about how to protect themselves as well as an inability to do so in certain instances.

According to The Associated Press, unprotected sex is the leading cause of this disease for women who are of childbearing age in developing countries. The studies that the World Health Organization conducted indicate that one in five deaths for women between the ages of 15 and 44 is a result of AIDS that has been linked to unprotected sex.

Chief for the World Health Organization, Dr. Margaret Chan, explained that in many areas worldwide women find themselves at disadvantages due to cultural practices that place an emphasis on the well-being of men. Dr. Chan went on to describe other disadvantages that women in certain areas of the world face such as poverty and inadequate access to health care.

In a statement given to journalists located in Geneva, Dr. Chan said, "We will not see a significant improvement in the health of women until they are no longer recognized as second-class citizens in many parts of the world."