Women's health in the workplace; some shocking statistics

At Halcyon Women's Health, we witness a broad array of women’s health issues in the workplace.

From reproductive health to mental wellbeing, we have seen it all. While there have been significant advancements in healthcare over the years, women continue to face unique challenges that require focused attention and action. Halcyon Women's Health are here to help employers navigate these issues alongside their staff.

First, let me share with you some statistics about women’s health that may make you stop and think. By examining the macro level women’s health statistics, we can gain a better understanding of the current women’s health landscape and identify areas that need improvement, improving productivity and motivation of staff.

Reproductive Health Statistics

Reproductive health remains a critical area within women's health, with a range of issues impacting women across various stages of their lives. According to recent data:

Menstrual Health: According to the NHS, approximately 90 per cent of women in the UK experience menstrual pain, with 14 per cent reporting severe symptoms that can be debilitating. Despite this, period shame remains a pervasive issue, with many women feeling uncomfortable discussing their menstrual health openly. How many sick days are lost in your organisation because of menstrual pain?

Contraception: Access to contraception is crucial for enabling women to make informed choices about their reproductive health. According to Public Health England, around 75 per cent of women aged 16-49 use some form of contraception, with the pill and condoms being the most common methods. However, disparities in access and education about contraception remains, particularly among younger and socioeconomically disadvantaged women. Do you take into account your employees occasional need to visit the GP in work time or do you make it difficult for them, building resentment and stress?

Pregnancy and Childbirth: Maternal health is another vital area to look at, with the UK boasting one of the lowest maternal mortality rates globally. Yet, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, maternal mental health issues such as postpartum depression, affect about 1 in 10 women, highlighting the need for better support systems during and after pregnancy. Do you make it as easy as possible for employees to return to work after maternity leave?

Mental Health

Women's mental health is a multifaceted issue influenced by biological, social, and economic factors. Key women’s mental health statistics include:

Anxiety and Depression: Women are more likely to experience anxiety and depression compared to men. According to the NHS, in the UK, approximately 20 per cent of women suffer from common mental disorders, with young women aged 16-24 being particularly vulnerable. Would any of your female staff benefit from some extra support in this area?

Eating Disorders: Eating disorders disproportionately affect women, with around 1.25 million people in the UK having an eating disorder, and women make up the majority of this figure according to Beat. Early intervention and access to specialized care are essential for recovery so could your business step in to signpost help for any of your employees before a situation gets worse?

Impact of Domestic Violence: The mental health impacts of domestic violence are profound, with according to Women’s Aid, 1 in 4 women experiencing domestic abuse in their lifetime. Survivors often face long-term psychological effects, necessitating comprehensive support services. Women experiencing domestic violence or abuse are statistically more likely to arrive late for work and leave early. Is this something your organisation is even aware of?

Physical women's health

Physical health issues also present significant challenges for women, with several key areas requiring attention, in particular (but not restricted to):

Breast Cancer: According to Cancer Research UK, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the UK, with about 55,000 new breast cancer cases diagnosed annually. Early detection through regular screenings can significantly improve survival rates. Do you encourage your staff to be screened?

Cardiovascular Disease: Often perceived as a male disease, cardiovascular disease, according to The British Heart Foundation is the leading cause of death among women in the UK. Women are more likely to be underdiagnosed and undertreated, emphasising the need for gender-specific research and awareness. As an employer, are you aware of the risks?

Osteoporosis: Women are more prone to osteoporosis, particularly post-menopause. Around 3 million people in the UK have osteoporosis, with women accounting for the majority of cases according to the National Osteoporosis Society. Preventative measures, including adequate calcium intake and regular exercise, are crucial and there is still a lot of worry (and misinformation) amongst women around the role of HRT in this. Are you helping your staff be as healthy as possible? And giving them robust, supportive information about life post-menopause?

Access to Healthcare

Access to quality healthcare services is fundamental to improving women's health outcomes. However, several barriers exist, as recognised in the government's own Women's Health Strategy 2022:

Healthcare Inequality: Kings Fund identified socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and geographical location as issues that can all influence access to healthcare. Women from marginalized communities often face greater challenges in accessing timely and appropriate care so are any of your staff at risk?

Gender Bias in Medicine: BMJ research has shown that women tend to be taken less seriously by healthcare professionals, leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment. Increasing awareness and education among healthcare providers is essential to addressing this bias. Supporting women's health symptoms at work and promoting these conversations can really help women push to be heard.

So, what do we do about it?

We understand your priority as an organisation is not necessarily focused on women’s health but by avoiding the topic, you risk employing a less productive and motivated workforce. Halcyon Women's Health can help improve the health and wellbeing of women in your workplace so it is an investment that pays for itself over and over again. You can get an estimate of exactly what Return on Investment you'll see with us on our website here

Understanding women's health through the lens of statistics provides a clearer picture of the challenges and areas needing improvement. By addressing issues such as reproductive health, mental health, physical health, and healthcare access, we can work towards a future where women's health is prioritized and supported at all levels. Advocacy, education, and policy changes are crucial steps in this journey, ensuring that every woman in the UK has the opportunity to lead a healthy and fulfilling life and employees need to take their part in this seriously.

Would it help if you had holistic women’s health champion on board to cheerlead your women? A healthy and happy workforce is proven to help the bottom line so give me a call today and I can help navigate your organisation toward better health. And we can also advise you on setting up your own, successful peer-led support options.

How can we help?

Halcyon Women's Health offers health and wellbeing support, training, and workshops to help your business tackle this issue head-on. This can be a significant recruitment benefit, showing you value your staff.

Our services are cost-effective and can be systematised to provide documented evidence of your efforts to support employees in the workplace. We can also provide reporting of outcomes and outputs for all of our services.

With a proven track record of reducing stress levels, absenteeism, and anxiety, while improving morale and productivity, my approach will positively impact your output. This isn't a "bandwagon", knee-jerk reaction. Halcyon has been supporting women with menopause, period, fertility and DV/DA issues since it was established in 2008. We've known the impact of women's health symptoms on working life for all of that time and are passionate about changing that.

About Sarah

Sarah Darwen, is Halcyon Women's Health's Founder and is passionate about health and wellbeing. Diagnosed with endometriosis in her mid-20s, she refused to accept that a hysterectomy was her only option and she's successfully managed her condition naturally for the past 25 years, most of which have been in remission.

To chat to Sarah about how she can help your organisation meet the women's health needs of your organisation, you can book a quick chat here.