Endemic stress: environmental determinants of women's health in India.

The Indian subcontinent stands alone as an area in which women have a lower life expectancy at birth than do men. The differential impact of environmental influences on the health of women in India is examined. The influences can be conceptualized as endemic stress that arises from social and physical environmental determinants of deprivation, inadequate resources, limited role opportunities, and oppressive cultural forces. It is suggested that there is a link between these factors and women's health status. The combined effort of Indian women and international support agencies is suggested as an approach to examining, evaluating, and remediating the problem.