MADRE Statements

Making Health a Priority Around the World

Posted on: Wednesday, April 7, 2010

April 7 is World Health Day.

Health is not only the absence of disease or infirmity, but also a state of physical, mental and social well-being. The strongest determinants of health are the social, political and economic forces in our lives. How healthy we are depends enormously on our access to nutritious food, clean water and medical care, on the levels of violence and stress in our lives, on our working conditions and on the opportunities we have for love, pleasure and fulfillment.

But for women, men and children around the world who face hunger and disease, health often seems like an impossible dream. That's why MADRE's projects do more than provide temporary relief to these problems - MADRE works to address the underlying issues, like land rights, climate change and political access.

We are marking World Health Day by highlighting MADRE projects that address women's health issues around the world.