NEW YORK -- In a unique collaboration between two of the nation's leading media companies, Meredith Corporation and NBC Universal announced key findings of a nationwide survey conducted among more than 3,000 women that covered a wide range of important topics to women, including marriage and family, health and fitness, safety, and financial matters.

The below findings from the Meredith/NBC Universal "What do Women Want?" study examines why the economy and personal financial challenges are at the forefront of the upcoming Presidential election and how women are shaping the debate. Women and their families are experiencing tremendous financial woes -- on issues ranging from housing to credit card debt to healthcare -- and are very concerned about their long term financial security.

-- Two-thirds (68%) of women cite "financial strain" as a major threat to
the American Family -- and a much bigger threat than "divorce" (48%),
"loss of faith/spirituality" (47%), "liberal views on sex and
sexuality" (32%), "both parents working" (28%), "unwed mothers" (21%)
and "couples living together instead of getting married" (19%)
-- The majority (79%) of women in dual income HHs say it is "essential
for both spouses/partners to be employed in order to make ends meet"
-- Six in 10 women are concerned about being able to pay their bills each
month (60%) -- especially high among single mothers with children
under 18 (80%)
-- 72% of women are concerned about rising taxes -- especially Boomer
women (81%)
-- 4 in 10 (38%) women "feel overwhelmed by financial burdens" -- even
higher for Gen X (47%) and mothers of children under 18 (47%) and
single mothers with children under 18 (52%)
-- 4 in 10 (38%) women have incurred medical debt -- even higher among
mothers of children under 18 (49%), especially young mothers 18-34
(59%)
-- Only 15% of women say they do not have any debt
-- 22% of women report being over $20,000 in non-mortgage debt -- even
higher for Gen X women (30%)
-- Three quarters of women are concerned about the future of social
security (77%) and saving enough for retirement (75%)