Women's Health and Development Index (WHDI): A Comprehensive Measure of Women's Wellbeing in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Qudsia Uzma of the World Health Organization in Pakistan will develop a health index as a comprehensive, integrated measure of women’s health in Pakistan. In collaboration with Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives, relevant existing data sources will be used to develop indicators that incorporate the sociocultural and economic context of women’s health across their life course. The indicators will reflect the intersection of diverse factors underlying inequities in women’s health and wellbeing, including communicable and non-communicable diseases, nutrition, education, empowerment, mental health, poverty, climate vulnerability, autonomy and personal rights, access to services, and gender-based violence. The indicators and the degree to which they each improve or worsen annually will be integrated into a composite index to guide health policy, resource allocation, and targeted interventions for more equitable women’s health outcomes.