Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental
and social well-being, and not merely the absence of reproductive
disease or infirmity. Reproductive health deals with the
reproductive processes, functions and system at all stages of life.
The International Conference on Population and Development
Programme of Action states that "reproductive health ... implies
that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life and
that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to
decide if, when and how often to do so. Implicit in this last
condition are the right of men and women to be informed and to have
access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of
family planning of their choice, as well as other methods of their
choice for regulation of fertility which are not against the law,
and the right of access to appropriate health care services that
will enable women to go safely through pregnancy and childbirth and
provide couples with the best chance of having a healthy infant.
Reproductive health includes sexual health, the purpose of
which is the enhancement of life and personal relations, and not
merely counselling and care related to reproduction and sexually
transmitted diseases."
The importance of reproductive health
Reproductive health is a crucial part of general health and a
central feature of human development. It is a reflection of health
during childhood, and crucial during adolescence and adulthood,
sets the stage for health beyond the reproductive years for both
women and men, and affects the health of the next generation. The
health of the newborn is largely a function of the mother's health
and nutrition status and of her access to health care.
Reproductive health is a universal concern, but is of special
importance for women particularly during the reproductive years.
Although most reproductive health problems arise during the
reproductive years, in old age general health continues to reflect
earlier reproductive life events. Men too have reproductive health
concerns and needs though their general health is affected by
reproductive health to a lesser extent than is the case for women.
However, men have particular roles and responsibilities in terms of
women's reproductive health because of their decision-making powers
in reproductive health matters.
At each stage of life individual needs differ. However, there
is a cumulative effect across the life course events at each
phase having important implications for future well-being. Failure
to deal with reproductive health problems at any stage in life sets
the scene for later health and developmental problems.
Because reproductive health is such an important component of
general health it is a prerequisite for social, economic and human
development. The highest attainable level of health is not only a
fundamental human right for all, it is also a social and economic
imperative because human energy and creativity are the driving
forces of development. Such energy and creativity cannot be
generated by sick, tired people, and consequently a healthy and
active population becomes a prerequisite of social and economic development.
Source http://www.undp.org/popin
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