An ageing population and longer life expectancy have increased the burden on the health care system as health issues, particularly among women, have expanded.
Until quite recently, the main focus for women's health was on maternal and child health.
According to the Centre of Research and Promotion of Women's Health at Chinese University, four in 10 women are aged 45 years and above. With longer life expectancy, it is estimated that one-third of a woman's life will be spent in menopausal years.
Osteoporosis, breast cancer and heart disease are some of the ailments becoming more widespread among women, while other health conditions, such as postpartum depression, female cancers and the menopause are unique to women and have risk factors that differ from diseases which affect men.
Suzanne Ho, professor and director of the Centre of Research and Promotion of Women's Health, said it was essential to recognise the importance of gender differences, the diversity of women's health conditions through the life cycle and the different health needs influenced by culture, ethnicity, social experiences and access to medical care.
'Multidisciplinary approaches are necessary to tackle the varied health care issues of women,' Professor Ho said. 'It is also important for health care providers to recognise the values and knowledge of women and their own experiences of health and illness, and to empower them in their own health care.'
The master of science in women's health studies programme was designed to provide an in-depth understanding to health care professionals about women's health.
