Women Alive
Women's Rights
From Take Charge of Your Body: A Woman's Guide to Health
Fall 1998
This article is part of TheBody.com's archive. Because it contains information that may no longer be accurate, this article should only be considered a historical document.
An important part of taking charge of one's health is remembering that, should you choose to exercise them, you have certain rights as a consumer.
- I have a right to be treated as an equal human being.
- I have a right to be listened to and have my problems taken seriously.
- I have a right to an explanation that I can understand in my native language on any questions concerning my health care.
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- I have a right to know the choice I face in getting tested for any health problem, and to have the possible side-effects of any drugs of surgical treatments clearly explained.
- I have a right to choose the types of treatment I prefer from among the options offered to me by my doctor.
- I have a right for normal events in my life, such a pregnancy and menopause, not to be treated as diseases requiring treatment.
- I have a right to choose natural therapies and not be ridiculed for doing so.
- I have a right to request a second opinion on any major surgery of health decision.
- I have a right to refuse any drug or surgical treatment.
- I have a responsibility to become knowledgeable about my body and how it works.
- I have a responsibility to learn as much as possible about my health problems so I can make informed choices.
- I have a responsibility to exercise, look after my diet, reduce stress and relax on a regular basis.
- I have a responsibility to avoid pressuring my doctor into giving me drugs when I don't need them.
- I have a responsibility to prepare my questions for my doctor beforehand and to schedule adequate appointment time to discuss them.
- I'm ultimately responsible for my healthcare, using my doctor as a resource rather than an authority.
Back to the Women Alive Fall 1998 Contents Page.
This article is part of TheBody.com's archive. Because it contains information that may no longer be accurate, this article should only be considered a historical document.
This article was provided by
Women Alive.
It is a part of the publication Women Alive Newsletter.
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