A new report by Olivia Langham & Bridget Gorham "Investing in the 51 Percent," is now live. This comprehensive women's health economics report makes a powerful case for sustained and increased funding for the UK’s Women’s Health Strategy and women’s health services more broadly. It quantifies the significant economic benefits of investing in women’s health and outlines the continued cost of failing to do so.
Women make up 51% of the population, and their health needs have been sidelined for far too long. The time has come to move beyond viewing women's health as a “nice to do” and make it a central pillar of an equitable healthcare system. This report is dedicated to all the women we’ve met and worked with who have felt ignored, dismissed, or had their pain minimised—made to feel as if their suffering was simply part of being a woman. Their trust in the healthcare system has eroded, and it’s time to rebuild that trust.
The Economic Argument: A Trifold Analysis
Our report is grounded in a three-part analysis that underscores the urgent need for investment in women's health:
1. Economic Cost of Ignoring Women's Health:
We highlight the economic burden of neglecting key women’s health conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and severe menstrual pain. This negligence results in absenteeism, unemployment, and additional health complications that ripple across society and the economy.
2. Return on Investment (ROI):
For every additional £1 spent on women’s health services across the NHS, particularly in obstetrics and gynaecology, the potential ROI is £11. This means that investing in women's health could contribute a potential £319 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy annually.
3. Mapping Health Inequalities:
The report maps the current state of women’s health inequalities across the UK, identifying where public funding should be directed to reduce these disparities and improve health outcomes for women.
Key Findings
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Investment: For every £1 invested per woman in obstetrics and gynaecology services, there is an estimated return of £11, contributing up to **£319 million** in added economic value.
- **Cost of Absenteeism:** Severe period pain, endometriosis, and other gynecological conditions contribute to an annual cost of **£11 billion** in absenteeism.
- **Menopause and Employment:** Around **60,000 women** are unemployed in the UK due to menopause symptoms, resulting in an estimated **£1.5 billion** loss per year to the economy.
A Call to Action
The findings make it clear: failing to invest in women’s health costs more than just money—it erodes trust, wellbeing, and equality. Women deserve healthcare that recognises their unique needs, and society as a whole benefits when those needs are met. Investing in women's health is not just the right thing to do; it's the smart thing to do.
This report is not just about numbers—it’s about the lives and futures of women across the UK. Every pound spent on women’s health has the potential to generate far-reaching benefits, not only for the women themselves but for the entire economy and society.
Get the Report:
For a deeper dive into the economic argument for investing in women’s health, **read the full report https://www.nhsconfed.org/publications/womens-health-economics.
Note: Originally Published by https://www.nhsconfed.org/
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