The Government has launched a call for evidence to help inform the development of the government’s Women’s Health Strategy. There is already strong evidence of the need for greater focus on women’s health. Although female life expectancy is higher than men in the UK, women on average spend less of their life in good health compared with men.
Less is known about conditions that only affect women including common gynaecological conditions which can have severe impacts on health and wellbeing, but for which there is currently little treatment. A key example of this is endometriosis with the average time for a woman to receive a diagnosis being 7-8 years, and with 40% of women needing 10 or more GP appointments before being referred to a specialist.
There is also evidence the impact of female-specific health conditions such as heavy menstrual bleeding, endometriosis, pregnancy-related issues and the menopause on women’s lives is overlooked. Some conditions are more prevalent in women such as musculoskeletal conditions, depression or anxiety.
A University of Leeds study showed women with a total blockage of a coronary artery were 59% more likely to be misdiagnosed than men, and found that UK women had more than double the rate of death in the 30 days following heart attack compared with men.
The government want to hear from as many women as possible from all ages and backgrounds about what you think works well and what needs to change.
There are six core-themes in the call for evidence
- Placing women’s voices at the centre of their health and care:
- Women having access to high quality information
- Ensuring the health and care system understands and is responsive to women’s health and care needs across the life course:
- Maximising women’s health in the workplace:
- Ensuring research, evidence and data support improvements in women’s health:
- Understanding and responding to the impacts of Covid-19 on women’s health:
The easiest way for individuals to respond is through the online survey . Organisations and individuals can also make written submissions .
This consultation closes on 30 May .
