Information on women and health from around the world is provided in this guide. So far, no country has formal mechanisms through which women themselves can create the policies and practices so critical to their own health and that of their families. A major purpose of the guide is to assist the many women's initiatives attempting to change this situation. Materials and group descriptions included were gathered through letters sent to contacts throughout the world. Topics discussed are: women's role in health; reproductive issues, including sexually transmitted diseases, contraception, abortion, sterilization, and population control; drugs and drug companies; food and eating; having children, including pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and instant feeding; menopause and aging; health and the environment; and self-help and healing ourselves. Annotated resources are listed for the various topics. Organizations providing services in various countries are also described. (The table of contents and introduction to this guide are written in Spanish, Dutch, French, Italian, and English; the guide is written in English.) (RM)