Knowledge and Perceived Risk of Major Diseases in Middle Aged and Older Women

Knowledge and Perceived Risk of Major Diseases in Middle Aged and Older Women

The American Psychological Association Journal Article this paper is based on focuses on the knowledge of health related risks and behaviors of middle age and older age women, and specifically women's "knowledge of perceived risk of major disease" (Wilcox & Stefanick, 1999). A link between lifestyle and chronic disease in old age has been established. In addition, the belief that age was a risk factor for breast and colon cancer actually decreased with increasing age among women.

The population's general knowledge of CHD risk factors has gone up in recent time. Women, African-American women specifically are still more likely to die from CHD as opposed to men. The study used a survey which they had women age 40 and older fill out. Information requested about the women who filled out the survey was their age, marital status, education level and ethnic origins. Other variables reported in the study that were measured were the risk factors women described in the survey that were relevant to CHD, breast cancer, colon cancer and other various health problems. The survey also contained questions regarding what the women thought were the leading causes of death of women in certain age groups and gender groups. The women in the study were also questioned regarding their perceived general risk of a women developing a major disease.

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into what women know about serious diseases i.e., CHD, lung cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer and genital organ cancer and the risk factors associated with developing these diseases. Also the researchers were attempting to determine how women see their own chances of dev...

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Wilcox, S. and Stefanick, M. (1999, July). Health Psychology: Knowledge and Perceived Risk of Major Diseases in Middle-Aged and Older Women. American Psychology Association Journals [Online], 18:4, 8 pages. "http://www.apa.org/journals/hea/heal84346.html" [2000, October 12].