THE life expectancy of Irish women is among the lowest in the EU, according to Department of Health director, Dr Ruth Barrington.
Dr Barrington, who was outlining the Department's document, Developing a Policy for Women's Health, to the Dail Committee on Social Affairs yesterday, said there were many reasons why women's health issues demanded special attention.
Women's health may be at danger due to a number of factor risk during pregnancy and childbirth the multiple roles many women are called upon to play, as wives, mothers, breadwinners and carers their economic dependence and gender based violence.
"Since women rely on good public health and social services to maintain their health, the health services must be aware of women's vulnerability to ill health and actively work to promote their health", she told the committee.
The Government had given a commitment to publish a plan for the development of health services for women.
The discussion document was an important step towards defining the shape of such a health plan, Dr Barrington said.