Women's health issues across the lifespan.

This study examines differences and similarities in women's health status, health care needs, and access to care across age groups. Data are from the Commonwealth Fund 1998 Survey of Women's Health. Several age-group specific issues stand out, such as more limited access to health insurance and a usual source of care among younger women, the emergence of chronic health care problems among women in the 45-64 age group, and the presence of multiple health problems among elderly women. The analyses reveal several themes that cut across age groups, such as the relationship between poverty and health status, the importance of health insurance, and the generally limited receipt of physician information about health-related behaviors.