Unlocking potential: the intersection of women’s health and economic outcomes

Reducing economic inactivity and shifting to a more preventive, community-based health system sit at the heart of the Government’s priorities. Yet the importance of women’s health in these aims is too frequently overlooked. 

There are many health issues which disproportionately affect women and girls, from mental health issues and autoimmune diseases to hormonal conditions and migraines. These conditions are typically best managed in primary care, but too often women and girls struggle to access such care. 

The consequences extend far beyond individual wellbeing. Each year, around 14 million working days are lost to menopause; over 22 million to stress, depression and anxiety, with women making up around two thirds of those affected; and a further 3 million lost to migraines, which are two to three times more common in women. With more than one in five working-age adults now economically inactive, due largely to ill-health, the case for taking women’s health more seriously is clear. 

As the Government progresses its Neighbourhood Health Service plans and prepares a renewed Women’s Health Strategy, this is a critical moment to act. This flagship panel will explore the key challenges preventing better outcomes in women’s health, as well as the intersection between women’s health and economic outcomes. 

Speakers:

• Dr Amanda Doyle OBE, National Director of Primary Care and Community Services, NHS England 
• Dr Sue Mann, National Clinical Director in Women’s Health and Clinical Lead for Women’s Health, City and Hackney 
• Baroness Geeta Nargund, Founder, Health Equality Foundation, and women’s health pioneer 

This panel is kindly supported by AbbVie who have provided funding and will have a participant on the panel. All topics and other panellists have been selected by Re:State.