Why women’s health matters for business

Women make up a significant amount of the UK workforce – in particular holding 77% of all jobs in the health and social work sector, and 70% of jobs in education. There are now more than 15 million women aged 16 or over working full or part time - which means if looking after the wellbeing of the workforce is a priority, looking after women’s health has to be part of the picture.

But what’s become known as the ‘gender health gap’ is making that harder for businesses - as well as harder for women. It refers to the difference between how men and women are treated when it comes to their health - and the evidence continues to build that women get a significantly worse deal across the board.

As a result of their experiences, many women aren’t comfortable bringing up their health at work. In fact, in a recent government report as part of their investigations into women’s experiences, 35% of women said they wouldn’t be happy talking about health issues in the workplace - and only half had found their employer supportive in the past.

For those who had a health issue or disability, 62% said it had impacted them at work, and 22% had left work earlier than planned as a result.

Bluecrest Wellness’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Donati explains: “No workplace wants to lose experienced and talented people from their staff due to ill health, and more needs to be done to help women in particular manage their health and be open about the issues they face.

“Clearly, women have health conditions that don’t impact their male counterparts – from cervical, ovarian and breast cancers to things like endometriosis, PCOS, pregnancy complications, menopause, and more. But all too often they’ve found many of those conditions minimised or dismissed as ‘women’s problems’. Well women’s problems are YOUR problems if you employ women - and it’s time to get real about them.

“For me, part of the reason that’s got to involve businesses is exactly because the medical establishment hasn’t always had women’s backs. Women are statistically more likely to find their pain disbelieved, and their symptoms ignored as exaggeration or hysteria.

“While I like to think this gender health gap is improving, one of the biggest things we can do to help is to listen to women - and crucially - put them back in control of their own health. Businesses have a significant role to play in providing female staff not only with a safe space to talk about their health, but in providing alternative health support and options.”

Research into the gender health gap shows women with dementia receiving worse treatment than men with the condition, that women in emergency care and after surgery are given less painkillers than men, are more likely to have a heart attack misdiagnosed, less likely to have a mental health condition recognised, and that medical research is biased towards male physiology because women’s hormones are thought to undermine accuracy in things like clinical trials.

High profile examples that have hit the headlines include the vaginal mesh scandal that saw hundreds of women go on to receive the controversial procedure even after many had reported life-changing pain and side effects. Meanwhile the activism of celebrities like Davina McCall has highlighted the fact it takes more than a year to get menopause support, and an average of 7.5 years for women to get an endometriosis diagnosis.

It turns out that the UK has actually managed to develop the biggest gender health gap in the G20, and the 12th largest globally. In 2021 that promoted the government to put out a call for evidence, which found that 84% of British women had experienced not being listened to by medical professionals.

“We have to do better for women, says Dr Donati. “Not least because better outcomes for women lead to better outcomes for their families, their communities – and the places they work.

“If businesses haven’t already got policies in place and training for line managers around things like maternity accommodations, menopause support and domestic abuse awareness, it’s high time for a rethink and refresh. It’s also time to make sure your health initiatives and benefits are geared towards and working for women – and that they know what’s available to them.

“I believe health assessments can be an important part of the puzzle. At Bluecrest Wellness, we think knowledge is power - and that prevention is better than the cure. We empower people with health insight and information that can help them find peace of mind, make lifestyle changes, and spot potential health issues early.

“It puts control over their health firmly back into people’s hands - so they can be proactive in looking after themselves, and in advocating for themselves. That’s particularly important for women who’ve felt dismissed by doctors in the past.”

Natasha considers herself one of the lucky ones. Her leg had been bothering her for a few days when her assistant reminded her that a Bluecrest Wellness health assessment day was taking place on site that very afternoon.

Natasha explains: “Because I’d consulted a GP I didn’t want to take ‘muscle pain’ to a busy A&E department - but my Bluecrest Health Assessment Specialist was brilliant. She could see I was limping, and when I told her that I was feeling worried about my leg, she actually listened to me and took me seriously.

“She then did everything by the book. She took out a tape measure, measured my calves and confirmed there was a swelling, and that it was hot to the touch. She asked me lots of questions about my family history and how I was feeling. She then told me she was halting my assessment and sending me straight to A&E.”

At A&E, Natasha was diagnosed with a DVT. “My Bluecrest Wellness Assessment 100% saved my life. If I hadn’t have gone in that day I’m honestly not sure I’d be here today. Certainly, I’d have been facing a very serious and life-threatening health situation. I am extremely grateful.

“The NHS has proven great in an emergency, but it has so many challenges and stresses you also need to be looking after yourself, trusting your instincts - and catching things as early as possible. These Health Assessments are an extra safety net, and they put the power back into your hands. It’s safe to say I will most definitely be going back again next year.”

As well as the normal tests and consultations, last year Bluecrest Wellness also introduced a new female early cancer risk test. It’s designed to give women a full MOT, with 35-39 tests covering thyroid function, liver function, diabetes risk, stomach, kidney and bowel cancer – plus a cervical cancer HPV test.

Available to the over 40s, 28% of businesses now buy the add-on for employees as part of their Bluecrest Wellness package. In the last 12 months we’ve helped hundreds of women, and found more than 209 positive HPV results (11% of result). They can then discuss that information with our own GPs, and take it to a private or NHS GP to ask for further.

The full range of tests and features include:

o Cervical cancer risk o Bowel cancer risk o Stomach cancer risk o Immune system o Blood health markers o Essential proteins and iron o Bone health, energy and muscles o Cholesterol and advanced diabetes o Liver function o Kidney function o Thyroid function o Lung function o Urinalysis o Personal report o 24/7 GP helpline o Private GP Consultation

If you’d like to know more about Bluecrest Wellness, our early cancer add-on, or how to talk to client about their preventative health strategy, please get in touch with Jason Morris Head of Intermediary Relationships, email: jmorris@bluecrestwellness.com and call: 07501 995801.