Did you know GOQii’s India Fit Report 2024 states that 59% of women are found unhealthy if compared to 40% of men?
Like this report states, women’s health is crucial. They are the backbone of a family. They share significant implications for families, communities, and societies. However, health is wealth for every individual, but focusing on it has its own benefits. Their wellbeing helps in addressing specific challenges that can keep a society groomed and prosperous.
This post will help you understand why a woman’s health is crucial, what its impact is on families and communities, and the broader social-economic consequences. Let’s shed light on some significant points.
Unique Health Needs of Women and Threats
Women’s healthcare needs are unique and certainly differ from men because of biological, social, and economic factors. It is important to recognize them, understand their vitality, and provide every support possible to ensure overall good health and wellbeing.
There are certain health conditions that are majorly impacting their lives. The way they are inflicting them is alarming. It is necessary to address the following health concerns inflicting women and find solutions to support them: Here are some points that are major concerns: These points describe the common healthcare concerns that women are struggling with. Let’s describe them.
Reproductive Health
Reproduction is the biological process of producing a new organism from parents. Many individuals try to stay home when they face reductive health issues and try to avoid medical assistance. This hesitation deteriorates their health. In the initial stage, a cure is very much possible. But when it elevates, it shows no ‘U’ turn. Considering complications related to pregnancy, childbirth, and reproductive systems, life-threatening diseases like ovarian and cervical cancer can emerge. These diseases specifically hurt women’s health.
Considering the report of the World Health Organization (WHO), the world witnessed the deaths of nearly 295,000 women during and following pregnancy or childbirth in 2017. It’s painstaking. These deaths could be prevented, provided they would have had proper medical care. No matter how advanced the world is, highlighting their health is important to minimize the maternal mortality rate.
Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is life-threatening. The American Cancer Society revealed that nearly 42,250 women are going to die because of breast cancer in the USA in 2024. This means that 1 in 39 women has a chance of dying from this cancer. This is the second-leading cause of cancer-led death in the USA after lung cancer, according to a report.
The only positive point is early detection. If it is detected early, its treatment is possible. It can significantly increase survival rates. This can be possible with a dedicated women’s healthcare plan and services.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases, or CVDs, are predominantly considered a male issue. But women across the globe also die because of it. A report by the American Heart Association states that heart problems are responsible for 1 in 3 deaths in women every year. If calculated, this disease kills approximately one woman every minute.
In this case, awareness and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in women can also be decreased. And this is the main reason why more men die because of it than women.
Besides, some lifestyle diseases, like diabetes, are increasingly becoming unhealthy. The government and society should take initiatives to help them.
Impact on Families and Communities
Healthy women can keep families and communities healthy. Their role is crucial because they are the primary caretakers. So, their unhealthy state significantly affects those who are around them.
Caregiving Roles
A woman typically provides love and care to her family, taking the best care of her spouse, children, and relatives. As per speculation, around 66% of caretakers are women, according to the Family Cargiver Alliance.
Certainly, their wellbeing status can help them bear this responsibility in a better way. It significantly contributes to the overall health and stability of their families. Considering its flip side, unhealthy women will certainly compromise on attending to their caretaking duties, which adversely affects the health of their dependents.
Economic Contributions
However, women’s health can inflate or decline their economic contributions, though it may not be so directly. A healthy woman is more likely to work, get educated, and, hence, contribute to her economy. The World Bank conveyed that female labor force participation (FLFP) globally is low, at around 50% if compared to 80% of men’s.
Overall, healthy women can prove themselves to be more productive, contributing to various economic activities.
Child health and development
An unhealthy mother directly affects the health of her child. Her children will be healthier if she is physically fit. This is where the maternal healthcare plan proves helpful. It is crucial for the development of children. A report states that universal coverage of maternal healthcare by midwives would avoid 67% of maternal deaths, 64% of neonatal deaths, and 65% of stillbirths. Overall, they can save 4.3 million lives annually by 2035.
Socio-Economic Implications
Investment in women’s health has long-term socio-economic effects, which can drive sustainable growth and societal improvement. A recent report by the World Economic Forum shows that women’s health could save 24 million life years, which are lost to disability. It adds over $1 trillion to the global economy, raising economic productivity by up to $400 billion.
Gender Equality
Encouraging the wellbeing of women is directly connected with gender equality. It is a part of fundamental human rights, which are access to healthcare, reproductive rights, and freedom from gender-based violence. Even the United Nations voice for gender equality, women empowerment, and girls being essential for sustainable development. A tailored healthcare plan and services can help them live healthier lives while participating in all areas of society.
Economic Growth
Women with good health conditions can help drive economic growth. A report projects that increasing gender equality, encompassing health equality, could add as much as $12 trillion to the global GDP by 2025. Economies want healthy women to be there, contributing as a part of their workforce, accessing quality education, and appearing in leadership roles. This is how she can contribute to the overall growth of an economy.
Reducing healthcare costs
Women want preventive services and early intervention in the deterioration of their health, which certainly can eliminate hefty healthcare costs. Certain reputed centers, like the Centers for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), believe that preventive healthcare plans and measures are effective in terms of cost and value. Screenings and preventive vaccinations for cancer and other life-threatening diseases cost less. Also, they are protected from severe health issues. Investment in a woman’s healthcare plan can significantly reduce the financial burden on her healthcare system. They become more efficient.
Conclusion
A woman is one of the two sides of a coin. A society, family, or community cannot be complete without her. Like her presence, her health is important. The reasons are many for her wellbeing. She drives socio-economic growth and dominates the take-care community, which requires continuity. Many reports and statistics clearly show that investing in women’s healthcare plans can lead to prosperity and better results for women and their dependents. Furthermore, their contribution encourages gender equality. Her presence and appearance in various roles bring sustainable development and growth on various levels. So, the provision of prioritizing her health is praiseworthy. It should be a fundamental component of national and international public healthcare policies and initiatives.