Government initiates strategy to address ‘gender health gap’

As part of a new government strategy to address the ‘gender health gap’, women and girls in England are being invited to discuss their healthcare experiences.

This strategy will aim to address inequalities and will look into areas such as maternity, fertility and menopause and has come about after ministers have said there is ‘strong evidence’ services for female patients need to be improved.

Despite women In England having a longer life expectancy than men, evidence suggests that men spend more of their lives in good health. Studies have also suggested that gender biases in clinical trials contribute to this and that less research has been carried out on many conditions that only affect females and the ways in which these conditions can be treated.

Women have also repeatedly expressed that they often feel overlooked when speaking to doctors about conditions such as endometriosis or issues arising from a pelvic mesh repair.

As of today (Monday 8 March), the Women’s Health Strategy will speak to female patients about a number of issues including mental health and maternity over the course of 12 weeks.

Minister for women’s health, Nadine Dorries, has said that it is “crucial women’s voices are at the front and centre of this strategy” as their experiences with healthcare vary and it is essential that these are understood in order to improve their outcomes.

Amanda Cavanagh, a medical negligence specialist at Ashtons Legal, says: “I find it difficult to comprehend why it is only now being recognised that humans, male or female, know their own bodies. When something is wrong it is wrong. I appreciate that there are occasions when perhaps there is another factor involved, but most people only seek medical attention when there is a need. If health professionals would listen to the women, they could learn and improve the treatment and the system. Let us hope women’s voices will be heard and will bring about permanent change to the system for the good of all.”