Scotland’s government has launched a plan aimed at improving health and reducing inequalities for women across Scotland.
The plan outlines initiatives to drive improvements and change across a number of key areas through 66 actions. These areas of focus include menopause, heart health, menstrual health including endometriosis, and sexual health.
Key actions include:
- appointing a national women’s health champion and a women’s health lead in every NHS board
- establishing a women’s health research fund to close gaps in scientific and medical knowledge
- providing a central platform for women’s health information on NHS Inform
- setting up a women’s health community pharmacy service
- commissioning endometriosis research to develop better treatment, management, and a cure
- developing a menopause and menstrual health workplace policy, and promoting it across the public, private and third sector
- improving information and public awareness of heart disease symptoms and risks for women
Women’s health minister Maree Todd said: “Our vision for women’s health is an ambitious one – and rightly so. It is clear that wider change must happen to ensure all our health and social care services meet the needs of all women, everywhere.
“Women’s health is not just a women’s issue. When women and girls are supported to lead healthy lives and fulfil their potential, the whole of society benefits.
“Together, we are working to address inequalities in all aspects of health that women are facing. The women’s health plan signals our ambition and determination to see change for women in Scotland, for their health and for their role in society.
“We want Scotland to be a world leader when it comes to women’s health.”