Why we need a Women's Health Strategy

Last week I was lucky enough to attend a book signing and Q&A with Dr Nighat Arif.

Dr Arif is a GP that specialises in women's health - you may recognise her from TV, as she regularly appears on BBC Breakfast and This Morning, or perhaps you have seen her on TikTok!

Dr Arif is a strong voice for female health and during the Q&A session she reminded us of just some of the reasons that we need a Women's Health Strategy for England:

• Women and individuals assigned female at birth represent 52% of the population and therefore, are 52% of healthcare service users
• Medical care has prioritised male anatomy and physiology, male diseases and male symptoms of illness and disease, whilst failing to explore and acknowledge differences for females
• Health and medications research has prioritised male participants, diseases and experiences, failing to therefore understand and research the differences for females
• Not enough information and treatment is available for conditions and diseases that affect female bodies, such as endometriosis, fertility, menopause, miscarriage and these same conditions are often stigmatised or considered taboo
• Female health issues cost the economy - The ‘Women’s Health Strategy: Call for Evidence’ found that 62% of women said a health condition or disability had impacted their experience in the workplace, with 26% saying it impacted their earnings and 22% saying it meant they stopped work earlier than they had planned

You can read the full text of the Women's Health Strategy for England and you can also download and read an article from the latest edition of the tutor2u Health & Social Care Update Magazine on the results of the 'Women's Health - Let's Talk About it Survey' by clicking on the download button at the end of this post.

Dr Arif has written a book all about female health called The Knowledge which we highly recommend you read and encourage your school/college library to get a copy.