The Social And Economical Well-Being Of Women

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - In the first federal initiative in decades, the White House brought several departments together to compile information on how women are faring today. With regard to families and income, women are marrying later and having fewer children. More women are living alone and raising children, and more are childless. Women are more likely to be poor; single women families have particularly high poverty rates.

Women generally use health care systems more than men; however, chronic conditions such as asthma, arthritis and depression affect more women than men. Although more women commit crimes than in previous years, they are not violent crimes. While rape rates have declined, they may be underreported.

In education, women are doing better. We're more likely to graduate from high school, college and hold graduate degrees. Despite gains in education, women still earn less than men for comparable jobs. Because women live longer, they outnumber men at older ages. While more women work, many do so at home.

It's Women's History Month! Download the complete report at Women in America: Indicators of Social and Economic Well Being.

Reported By Dr. Marciene Mattleman, KYW Newsradio