Public health
groups – which may affect the accuracy of the health differences described. Additionally, the analysis was limited to data on females and males and could not produce estimates for gender-diverse or sex-diverse groups, highlighting the need for more data spanning the sex and gender spectrums. Finally, the study did not include female- and male- specific conditions such as gynaecological diseases and prostate cancers to allow for cross- population comparisons and to highlight areas where sex-and gender-responsive interventions could have substantial health benefits. Writing in a linked Comment, Professor Sarah
Hawkes from the Institute of Global Health, University College London, UK (who was not involved in the study) stresses that too often sex-disaggregated data are overlooked or simply ignored in decision-making processes. She writes, “Even with many decades of empirically robust and rigorous efforts by GBD to report sex differences, we have not seen the same level of attention paid to the question of integrating gender-responsiveness into responses aiming to reduce DALYs or lengthen life expectancy. “Yet it is gender – ie, the unequal distribution
of power and privilege in the systems and structures determining health and wellbeing – that is determining a large part of the observed health and life expectancy differences between people. It is beyond time in public health politics, policies, programmes, and practices to ensure we move from sex-disaggregation to gender responsiveness that tackles the root causes of health inequities.”
References and notes 1. The 20 leading causes of disease burden globally for individuals (females and males combined) older than 10 years in 2021 (in descending order of magnitude) – COVID-19; ischaemic heart disease; stroke; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; diabetes; low back pain; road injuries; depressive disorders; headache disorders; other musculoskeletal disorders; tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancer; cirrhosis and other chronic liver diseases; age- related and other hearing loss; chronic kidney disease; anxiety disorders; falls; tuberculosis; HIV/AIDS; Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias; lower respiratory infections.
2. Tetzlaff et al, Age-specific and cause-specific mortality contributions to the socioeconomic gap in life expectancy in Germany, 2003–21: an ecological study, The Lancet Public Health journal, May 2024. Accessed at:
http://www.thelancet.com/ journals/lanpub/article/PIIS2468- 2667(24)00049-5/fulltext
46
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com I August 2024 COMMENT with ALISON FIANDER
Women’s health: a wake up call
UK women are struggling to access required healthcare treatment, warns Alison Fiander, the Women’s Health Programme Lead at Learna – a provider of flexible, online education. In 2023, over 1 billion women did not visit a healthcare professional. Only 11% underwent cancer screenings, despite these diseases claiming millions of lives annually, according to the Global Women’s Health Index survey.1 An annual global survey has revealed that the UK has dropped from 30th to 37th place in a global league table, which ranks nations’ performance in five key areas of women’s health and wellbeing. The UK’s 2023 Hologic Global Women’s Health Index scores were below the EU average in cancer screening, emotional health, and women’s safety. These findings underscore the urgent need to enhance focus on topics such as
preventative measures, pregnancy care and other key areas affecting women’s health, to not only to catch up but to set a global standard in the research area. It’s time to take action and improve women’s healthcare in the UK. Despite the significant
potential for progress, the UK is being surpassed by other countries making more substantial gains in women’s health. The survey revealed that women in the UK were less likely than those living in EU countries
to have received preventive care in the past year. Fewer women in the UK received screening for high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, and sexually transmitted infections compared to the EU average. These findings are concerning reading for the current state of healthcare in the UK. The question needs to be asked: why are we receiving less preventive care in such important areas of healthcare compared to countries across Europe? These findings underscore the critical need for governments, non-governmental organisations, and policymakers to prioritise women’s health and invest in interventions that put women’s best interests first. More needs to be done to ensure the UK healthcare sector is fully stocked with the
CSJ
knowledge, training and capacity in order that women can both access care and receive appropriate management. Neglecting the important role education plays in providing quality healthcare will only worsen the quality of care on offer to women. The most recent data reveals a concerning trend: more women are reporting feelings of sadness, anger, and worry compared to three years ago, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.1
Shockingly, almost one billion women, about one in three worldwide, reported
experiencing physical pain for a substantial part of the previous day. A majority of women stated that they have not undergone testing for cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, or sexually transmitted infections in the past 12 months. This highlights the urgent need for better access to healthcare and support for women’s wellbeing not only in the UK, but worldwide. This year’s Index should serve as a wake-up call for women’s health across the UK. The data in this report lead to an inescapable conclusion: across most areas, women’s health is seriously at risk. Even where we’re seeing improvements, the pace of progress is far too slow. The UK should be seen as a trailblazer when it comes to providing women’s healthcare. The fact that we are dropping in areas like cancer screening, emotional health, and women’s safety is something that cannot be ignored. Placing education at the centre of our priorities will undoubtedly reverse the worrying statistics currently being produced by UK healthcare.
Reference 1.
https://hologic.womenshealthindex.com/sites/default/files/2024-01/MISC09031_ HGWHI_Y3GlobalReport_Final_Digital.pdf
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