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Women’s health is a lifelong journey shaped by unique biological, social, and economic factors.
Despite significant progress to implement gender equality, women still face substantial barriers in healthcare.
They are more likely than men to encounter barriers such as misdiagnosed conditions, inadequate mental health support, and limited access to reproductive healthcare.1
Women are disproportionately affected by mental health conditions, with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).2
They are more likely to experience the physical and emotional toll of unpaid caregiving, workplace discrimination, and violence.3
Socioeconomic factors, cultural norms, and gender biases also contribute to these gaps.
“Women tend to put their own healthcare needs far down on their list of priorities,” says Dr Shoba Subramanian, medical director for UnitedHealthcare Global.
“We can change this by supporting women and encouraging them to consistently invest in their wellbeing, which may help enable them to more actively support their friends, family members and colleagues.”
To help support women’s health, it is helpful to first assess the stage of life they are in, as needs vary over time.
Adolescence
- Adolescence is a critical period for physical and emotional development. Young girls often face nutritional challenges and body image concerns. Emphasising healthy eating, regular exercise and adequate sleep is essential for their overall wellbeing. Access to a gynaecologist and self-care resources, including virtual care options, can help address these issues and promote healthy development.
- Equally important is a focus on behavioural health. Recent research by UnitedHealthcare shows 57% of teen girls felt “persistently sad or hopeless”, which is double what boys in their age group reported.4 Tapping into a variety of solutions, including self-care resources and virtual care, may help address these issues in ways that are more comfortable, convenient and affordable.
Early to mid-adulthood
- In early to mid-adulthood, women are more likely to develop chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.4 Lifestyle changes, including regular exercise, healthier eating, stress management, and monitoring blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, can significantly reduce these risks.
- Pregnancy and motherhood require access to quality preconception, in addition prenatal and post-natal care is paramount as this type of support can help improve outcomes for mothers and babies. Maternal mental health is crucial considering one in eight women experience symptoms of postpartum depression after giving birth.4
- As important is the choice to not have children, yet 270 million women worldwide have no access to modern contraception. Access to reproductive healthcare guarantees women the right to control their own bodies and to freely make all decisions related to sexuality and reproduction.
Late adulthood
- In late adulthood, women experience more frequent screenings to help reduce the risk of certain cancers or chronic conditions. This may include mammograms, colonoscopies, cervical cancer screening, regular blood pressure monitoring and testing for prediabetes.
- Additionally, women may be managing the different stages of menopause, which can affect health in various ways.
- Maintaining strong social connections is beneficial as interpersonal relationships can have an incredible impact on one’s overall wellbeing.
Inclusive care involves ensuring that every woman, regardless of background, has access to the support she needs.
Employers can offer health plan cover for mental health services such as therapy, support groups, and crisis intervention services.
Workplace policies could be reviewed to ensure that mental health programmes and flexible work policies are implemented. Leaders can encourage normalised discussions around menstruation, reproductive health, and menopause.
Healthcare professionals can embrace a patient-centred approach focused on listening to women’s concerns and advocating for comprehensive screenings and treatment plans.
Policymakers can work towards reducing healthcare disparities by funding women’s health research, expanding access to reproductive healthcare, and addressing workplace inequalities.
Inclusive care is not just about medical treatment, it’s about ensuring that every woman, regardless of her background, has access to the support she needs to thrive.
By addressing healthcare disparities, advocating for policy changes, and fostering supportive communities, we can move towards a future where women’s health is truly prioritised.
Sources:
- Gender inequality around the world in 2024: special report
- American Psychological Association. Mental Health Disparities: Women’s Mental Health.
- American Psychological Association. Discrimination: What it is and how to cope.
- UnitedHealthcare National Accounts book of business, Oct. 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2022.