Majority of women in the UK say their health issues are not taken seriously, study reveals

Nearly two thirds of women in the UK think their health issues are not taken seriously, a new study has shown.

The research, conducted by Benenden Health, found that 60 per cent of women believe their health issues are not taken seriously, with 35 per cent feeling they have experienced poorer health outcomes because of their gender.

Of the women who stated they have experienced a poorer health outcome in their life, more than half said they have had a negative experience with a healthcare professional (57 per cent) and a third said they have experienced a late diagnosis (36 per cent).

A further third have received a diagnosis that turned out to be incorrect, while a quarter revealed that they have also been put on the wrong medication at some point in their lifetime.

More than a quarter (27 per cent) of women felt that the UK’s healthcare system specifically favours men over women, the study also found, leaving many women reticent to seek medical help at all and impacting on their long-term wellbeing.

“The findings of our research paint a concerning look at women’s health in the UK, but it’s a reality that, as a society, we cannot shy away from,” said Rowan Connell, medical director and consultant gynaecologist at Benenden Health.

“At Benenden Health, we believe that everyone deserves access to great healthcare. We are committed to not only raising awareness of the gender health gap, but working to break down the barriers that women face and removing the stigma around women’s health to ensure the right support is in place for them now, and into the future.”

The survey, of 10,000 women in the UK, was carried out as part of Benenden Health’s new campaign which is focused on raising awareness of the existing gender health gap in the UK.

Currently, the UK has the largest female health gap among G20 countries and the 12th largest globally. Benenden Health’s research aimed to look at how the gender health gap manifests itself and sought to understand the barriers to a more equal society when it comes to health outcomes.

Having spoken about her own experience of the gender health gap as part of the campaign, TV presenter and women’s health advocate, Cherry Healey, said: “This campaign is so important in the fight to enable women to talk more openly about their own health, so that when they express their health concerns, they are taken seriously.

“This is an issue that I feel very strongly about, having previously shared my own experience of perimenopause and learning about the avoidable challenges so many women go through to get the help they need.”

She added: “I want to help ensure that women all over the UK are receiving the support that they need, when they need it.”