Women's definitions of well-being vary depending on their circumstances, but feeling healthy and physically fit is most commonly cited. Public officials' priorities around women's health issues do not always align with women's own core concerns. Many women turn to online sources, doctors, family and friends to find information about health and well-being, though developing countries rely more heavily on online information due to limited access.

1. Women’s Health and well-being:Evolving definitions and practices
Section I – Definition of well-being varies
with circumstances
Section II – Public officials’ priorities ignore some
of women’s core concerns
Section III – Finding answers online – but also
asking doctors, family and friends
Sponsored by:
(C) The Economist Intelligence Unit, 2015, Sources: EIU-Merck surveys
say well-being means “feeling healthy and physically fit”
Health and fitness come first:
0%
100% 90%
68%
50%
26%
Income contributes to well-being:
Breakdown by income of high well-being respondents:
Feel “excellent” or “good” in their daily lives
Financially very
secure
Financially mostly
secure
Financially often
insecure
Financially always
insecure
At lower income levels, having the basics
– food and security – count the most
In developing countries, access
to education and independence
matter too
In developed countries, above$75,000in
annual income: Managing stress is a focus
Contrasting views on the definition of well-being:
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Feeling healthy and physically fit
64%of women
74%of officials
39%of women
51% of officials
11% of women
50% of officials
45% of women
26% of officials
Emotional security and stability
Feeling physically secure
Feeling a sense of accomplishment
Low take-up:
Mismatch between programmes desired and
those offered:
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
48%
73%
54% 52%
47%
34%
Women who take part in
programmes choose those
related to:
Officials focus on
programmes offering:
Hobbies and
cultural activities
Health or
fitness
Communit
y activities
Communit
y activities
Illness
prevention
Health
campaigns
66%66%of female consumers do not participate in
programmes on well-being
0
20
40
60
80
100 India
89%
85%
80%
51%
46%
70% of women actively search for
information on health and well-being
Women in the developing countries are more
active searchers:
Brazil
Mexico
Germany
France
Top three information sources:
66% Online including social media
54%Medical doctors
41%Family and friends
Online sources most important
in Brazil and Mexico, despite
poor internet access
75%say the purpose of the information
search is general information, not self-diagnosis