Mental health is a critical component of a person's overall health. Though limited data are available to describe women's use of mental health care, it is apparent that depression significantly affects women. Women report a higher percentage of poor mental health days as compared to men and are more likely than men to be hospitalized for depression.

Substance abuse, which often occurs in people who suffer from mental illness, is also an important health concern among women. National survey data collected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration in 2000 found that more than a quarter of women 18-25 years old reported binge drinking in the past month and as many as 7.4 percent were found to drink heavily. This same survey also showed that approximately 24 percent of women aged 18-25 and 19 percent of females aged 12-17 had used some type of illicit drug in the past year, most commonly marijuana. In addition, approximately 8 percent of females aged 12-25 reported using psychotherapeutic prescription drugs for non-medical reasons in the past year. Rates of drug abuse for all types of drugs show that misuse declines significantly among women after age 25.

Women report a higher number of chronic conditions and have higher rates of disability and activity limitations than men. A person's self report of health status provides an overall qualitative measure of health. A higher proportion of men than women rate their health as "excellent" or "very good." Among women, Hispanic and Black women are more likely than White women to report their health as "fair" or "poor."

As a part of the Department of Health and Human Services' Race and Health Initiative, six priority areas were identified for disparity reductions. These areas include: infant mortality, breast and cervical cancer screening and management, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and child and adult immunizations. More women are seeking prenatal care in the first trimester and both infant and maternal mortality rates are decreasing. Despite the record low levels in both of these measures, a gap continues to grow between Black and White women. Black women are at four times higher risk for pregnancy-related death than White women. Reasons for this disparity are complex, and may include access to care and stress in pregnancy.

For most major causes of death—heart disease, cancer, and stroke—women die at lower rates than men. However, heart disease remains the number one killer of women. More women are diagnosed each year with breast cancer than any other type of cancer, although lung cancer kills more women. Of the cancer deaths in 2001, it is estimated by the National Cancer Institute that 67,300 females died of lung and bronchus cancers, compared with 40,200 deaths from breast cancer. Black women have the highest lung cancer death rates, and White women have the highest breast cancer death rates.

Women are disproportionately affected by such conditions as diabetes, asthma, and osteoporosis. The prevalence of diabetes increases with age and is higher among people who are overweight or obese. Women are also more likely to suffer from asthma, with 9.1 percent of women compared to 5.1 percent of men being afflicted by this condition. Osteoporosis, often called the "silent disease" because it frequently goes undiagnosed, is especially common in women aged 65 and older.

Two other conditions that have recently come to the forefront of the women's health agenda

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