8 major things women do that risk their health

• Times have changed; a woman is no longer only the custodian of the home. The woman’s role and lifestyles have shifted to also a breadwinner.
• As our lifestyles have evolved, there has been gradual shift in disease patterns, with an increased prevalence in non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

These ‘lifestyle illnesses’ – hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, type two diabetes and cancer – are affecting more women in the region. “We are seeing an increase of NCDs, overtaking the number of infectious diseases in the hospital,” says Dr Sam Nthenya, Nairobi Women’s Hospital Chief Executive Officer.