HealthyWomen Launches Initiative to Find Solutions to Address Unique Challenges and Needs Facing Midlife Women’s Health

RED BANK, N.J., PRNewswire -- HealthyWomen, the nation’s leading independent nonprofit health resource for women, recently released a new report, “Aging Smart. Aging Well. A National Action Plan,’’ which sheds light on the unique needs, challenges and opportunities women face, particularly as they age. The report will serve as the basis for a multiyear initiative leveraging HealthyWomen’s 30-plus years of experience and research to foster systemic change that meets the critical needs of women today and our daughters tomorrow, while also shifting the dialogue to one of positive aging.

The health of women in midlife, ages 35-64, has long gone under-researched and under-resourced. To better understand the barriers women face when it comes to receiving the quality of healthcare they deserve, HealthyWomen convened a working group composed of national trailblazers, women’s health experts and advocacy organizations representing the priority health areas for midlife women.

With input and recommendations from the working group, HealthyWomen created a national survey that sought to understand women’s perceptions of their health and identify barriers and challenges to diagnosis, treatment and prevention of key conditions and focus areas of women’s midlife health. Nearly 6,200 women from diverse backgrounds between the ages of 35 and 64 participated.

The overwhelming response and the outcome from the data highlighted that there is much work to be done. Despite the fact that virtually all women surveyed reported trying to stay healthy, whether through proper nutrition, sleep or physical activity, as well as staying

be OK.”

Overall Findings From the Survey:

Nearly two-thirds (62%) reported at least one barrier to taking care of their overall health and prevention.

Just a little over half (51%) said they’re fully up to date on all recommended health screenings, and one out of five had no preventive exams in 2021.

The rising costs of deductibles and copayments are making it increasingly difficult for the average person to get the healthcare they need.

The high cost of healthy foods is a barrier to staying or becoming healthy, especially with the recent rise in inflation.

up to date with recommended vaccines, almost half of those surveyed (42%) rated their overall health as just OK or worse (poor or extremely poor). Nearly twothirds (62%) of women reported at least one barrier to taking care of their overall health and prevention.

“Women’s healthcare needs are often downplayed, ignored or simply misunderstood, which has led to these gaps and barriers when it comes to aging,” said Beth Battaglino, RN-C,CEO of HealthyWomen. “In addition, many women don’t make their own health a priority, putting the needs of loved ones ahead of their own, and simply accepting aging as a negative fact of life. We will change the narrative — it is no longer OK to simply

One in 10 said they feel like no one understands what they’re going through and their HCPs have minimized or dismissed their concerns in the past. A few went so far as to say they are afraid of, or do not trust, HCPs.

Nearly one in four said they had difficulty identifying their health issues. Many women often feel their concerns are dismissed, minimized and even judged.

This initiative was made possible with the generous support of Amgen; AstraZeneca; Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.; Bristol Myers Squibb; Exelixis, Inc.; Novocure, Inc.; and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

For more information visit HealthyWomen.org.