‘This is a wake-up call’: UK government urged to take action as women’s health progress stalls

Experts have urged the UK government to take action after an “alarming” study found that progress in women’s health had stagnated.

A global survey has found that women’s health in the UK has not improved across a three-year period, with a lack of progress in preventive care and reduced satisfaction with pregnancy care causing particular concern.

The study, which involved 79,000 women across 143 countries, has shown that women’s health and wellbeing in the UK are trailing those in much of the EU.

While acknowledging the pandemic’s impact on the NHS, experts have warned that without more research and funding women’s health will continue to fall behind.

“This report paints a concerning picture of women’s health and emotional wellbeing,” Lauren Chiren, menopause trainer and founder of Women of a Certain Stage, told Femtech World.

“This is particularly troubling, as despite the COVID-19 pandemic receding, women’s health hasn’t improved. The overall score for the UK has remained at 54 out of 100 for three years, indicating no significant progress since the pandemic’s peak.

“This report should be seen as a wake-up call for more investment in research and funding. It’s alarming that in 2024 women’s health is still falling well behind what is expected.”

Chiren said it is particularly concerning to see the gender gap in emotional wellbeing.

The Hologic Global Women’s Health Index report found that women in Britain are sadder and more stressed than their European counterparts.

Compared with 2020, the research showed that feelings of worry, sadness, stress and anger had all increased for women in the UK — whereas in Europe, such feelings have stayed the same since 2020 or improved slightly.

“We need to ask why women are shouldering this burden and what we can do to create a world where they feel safe, supported and empowered to take care of themselves.”

Georgie Spurling, founder and CEO of ARVRA wellness, blamed Britain’s “stressful” lifestyle for the worsening health outcomes.

“We run our lives at a million miles per hour, burnout is at an all-time high and the hustle culture seems to be peaking.

“This constant stress has a knock-on effect on all sorts, such as fertility, hormonal imbalance, nutrition and mental health. Other factors, such as the cost of living, weather and culture, also contribute to women’s health being at a standstill.

“We need to take a more preventative approach to our mental and physical health to stop women from getting to crisis point. This report really showcases that more should and could be done.”

Dr Bryony Henderson, associate medical director at Livi UK, said: “The recent research underscores the urgent need for enhanced focus on women’s healthcare in the UK.

“We need long -term commitment and ongoing evaluation of services to effectively address the complex and varied needs of women, while ensuring that every woman is given the fundamental right to make decisions about their body.

“I urge the UK government to ensure that initiatives address the intersectional nature of women’s health, prioritise accessibility and equity, and foster collaboration among healthcare providers.”

Dr Claire Phipps, GP and advanced menopause specialist at London Gynaecology, also backed calls for more government action.

“There is huge disparity in the care that women receive in the UK. Women remain under-represented in clinical trials which means that conditions which only affect women are under-researched,” Phipps told Femtech World.

“Many women report not feeling heard, not feeling listened too, feeling judged, or made to feel like a bother. There are also issues which are related to socio-economic status, ethnicity and geographic region.

“In order to change the current narrative, there needs to be access to proactive and preventative health services, easier access to preventative screening campaigns and education about why these are important.”

‘We treat women’s health issues reactively’

Currently, the UK lags behind the EU when it comes to preventive care testing, particularly in the areas of high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes and STIs.

Dr Fiona MacRae, specialist in integrative women’s health and bioidentical hormone balancing at the Marion Gluck Clinic, believes this is due to a lack of focus on preventative healthcare in the UK.

“Many European countries have robust preventative healthcare programmes that focus on early detection and intervention for various health conditions.

“In contrast, the UK often treats women’s health issues reactively rather than proactively, which can result in late diagnosis and poorer health outcomes.”

Lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease also contribute, MacRae explained.

“Women in the UK have higher rates of obesity compared to other European countries, which can increase their risk of developing chronic health conditions.

“The lack of emphasis on promoting healthy lifestyle choices and providing support for women to adopt healthier habits is contributing to the overall poorer health outcomes for women in the UK.”

According to MacRae, there is also a lack of awareness and education in the UK surrounding women’s health issues.

“Many women are not aware of the symptoms of common health conditions, such as endometriosis and PCOS, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

“This lack of awareness can contribute to the overall poorer health status of women in the UK compared to their European counterparts.”