Women health workers, the very professionals whose mission is to improve women's health, face significant barriers to accessing and promoting care in the workplace.
fairfield new jersey, January 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) and FemTechnology today announced the results of a groundbreaking global study that reveals critical gaps in workplace support for women's health.
This study gathers direct insights from more than 1,000 women employees in healthcare across 42 countries across six continents to better understand their lived experiences and pressing needs. We emphasized that health is not just a personal concern, but in important ways a company priority. It affects the productivity and economic well-being of both women and organizations.
Key findings
70% of respondents reported that women's health issues had made them less productive for 1 to 5 days in the past month. 61% of respondents said they had taken time off due to a woman's health condition. Only 10.14% of respondents agreed that their employer provides adequate education and resources regarding women's health issues that affect their work. 76% of respondents expressed interest in employer-provided tools that make it easier for women to manage their health. 74% of women expressed interest in a tool that matches their specific symptoms with benefits offered by their employer. Many employees feel uncomfortable discussing women's health in the workplace, with 61% agreeing that there is a stigma attached to these discussions.
“Women's health is not a personal issue; it is a business imperative with significant economic implications,” he said. Mary StutzCEO of HBA. “We know from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that women make up nearly 80 percent of the health care workforce. US Globally, it's between 65% and 70%, according to the World Health Organization. Unsupported health conditions can cost thousands of dollars per employee each year, and up to millions of dollars in hidden costs for businesses. A health care system built around a one-size-fits-all model is not serving the workforce. These failures have visible ramifications throughout the organization. Loss of productivity due to untreated health issues, loss of motivation as employees struggle to balance work with unmet care needs, talented women being held back or not supported. This includes lost opportunities for innovation due to people leaving their roles.
“The data is undeniable: Women are taking advantage of systems not designed for them, and companies are paying the price. Millions in hidden costs because workplace systems fail to support women. We are losing dollars,” he said. oriana craftCEO of Fem Technology. “Closing these gaps isn't just the right thing to do; it's the key to unlocking productivity, driving innovation, and ensuring competitiveness in the modern workforce. Workforce needs By incorporating navigation tools that match employer offers with employer offers, companies streamline access to care while clarifying and delivering customized treatment options,” Kraft added. “Women are key contributors to the workforce. Investing in women's health is the smartest decision a company can make for its employees, its bottom line, and its long-term success.”
Stutz added: “Women are critical to an organization's success, but gaps in support have direct costs in absenteeism, retention, and turnover, as well as indirect losses in engagement and innovation. Ignoring these gaps Employers in the sector then have an opportunity to lead the way and lead the way for other companies to follow. ”
Latoya TapscottHBA The think tank's senior director echoed these sentiments, saying: “Supporting women's health is about more than just improving benefits; it's about lowering costs, increasing happiness and increasing success at work. A strategic investment that sets new standards for the future. This is not just a moment of change. Companies that prioritize women's health have an unprecedented opportunity to gain economic advantage and unlock untapped territory. , building a more resilient, high-performing workforce.”
Recommendations for action from HBA Think Tank and FemTechnology:
Disparities in women's health support are vast and deeply embedded in current health care models. However, there are steps employers can take to create a more inclusive and equitable health environment for female employees. Here's how to close the gap, why it matters, and the impact it makes.
Centralize resources to create new care models for women's health
Currently, women face an unresponsive and fragmented system and doctors who are untrained in how to support their needs, resulting in missed support opportunities and increased out-of-pocket costs.
By making it easy for women to access and understand the full range of available benefits related to their unique health needs, from reproductive health to chronic disease support, we help women avoid undue complexity. Improve your health and benefits journey and reduce delays by ensuring you are connected to the care you need without feeling overwhelmed. It's about accessing care and ensuring employees feel supported by their organization.
Reconsider how “women's health” is defined within your organization and what is being done to address it.
Survey responses indicate that conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), pelvic floor dysfunction, factor V, PCOS, and endometriosis are traditionally associated with reproductive transitions such as fertility, pregnancy, and menopause. It highlights that this is not just a women's health issue, but an essential health issue for women. In addition to chronic issues such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health, which often present differently in women, investing in support for these conditions can reduce hidden costs for businesses. By addressing these situations with a gender-based approach, employers can reduce the costs associated with these situations (in terms of medical costs and lost productivity), improving employee well-being and the company's bottom line. A win-win for both. Invest in listening to women
Investing in tools that uncover gaps in women's health care and gather direct feedback from female employees is a valuable opportunity for companies. Such platforms allow women to input their health concerns, identify areas where benefits exist to meet their needs, and receive support where gaps exist. By collecting this feedback, employers can gain insight into their most pressing health needs and tailor benefits to better support women across different life stages. This proactive approach not only helps close gaps in care, but also demonstrates a commitment to women's health and fosters a more engaged, satisfied, and resilient workforce.
Research methodology and full report availability
The study, a collaboration between HBA Think Tank and FemTech, was completed by 1,081 women from the Healthcare Business Women's Association community from 42 countries across six continents. This survey aims to gather insights into respondents' experiences with women's health issues and their impact on the workplace. The questionnaire was distributed over four weeks via email and social media and included a combination of Likert scale questions, multiple choice items, and open-ended questions to allow for both quantitative analysis and qualitative insights. I did. Responses were collected anonymously to protect participant confidentiality and encourage candid responses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for quantitative items, and qualitative responses were organized thematically to identify recurring themes and illustrative quotes. The full report titled “Women’s Health in the Workplace” is available at: Mary Stutz, HBA CEO, Latoya Tapscott (HBA Think Tank Senior Director), and oriana craft (FemTechnology CEO) can be found here.
About the Healthcare Business Women’s Association (HBA):
Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA) is a global organization dedicated to advancing the advancement and influence of women in the business of healthcare. HBA has more than 80 locations worldwide, serving a community of more than 85,000 individuals and nearly 150 corporate partners. HBA provides access to industry thought leaders and influencers. Educational program to develop leadership skills. We recognize outstanding individuals and companies globally to increase visibility of achievements in advancing gender equality in the workplace. www.hbanet.org
About HBA Think Tank:
The HBA Think Tank is a research-driven, collaborative hub dedicated to addressing systemic barriers and advancing opportunities for women in healthcare. As part of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association (HBA), the think tank provides companies with actionable insights, benchmarking tools, and innovative strategies to drive meaningful change. Its mission spans four key areas: leadership representation, empowering women of color, workplace health and wellness, and financial acumen. Through cutting-edge research, expert collaboration, and customized solutions, the think tank helps organizations transform workplaces, improve health outcomes for women, and lead the way in building a more equitable healthcare ecosystem. .
About Femtech:
FemTechnology is building the future of women's health by addressing the gender health data gap and driving innovation across the women's health ecosystem. From the global FemTech Summit, which brings together transformative thought leaders, to the University Series, which unearths groundbreaking research and amplifies its impact, FemTech connects insights to action. At the core of their work is ORI, a personalized health navigation platform that unifies best-in-class solutions in women's health. ORI collects and analyzes data to uncover hidden cost drivers, provide actionable insights for employees, and implement customized strategies. This allows employers to reduce healthcare costs, optimize benefits and improve employee outcomes, while giving women seamless access to personalized care that meets their unique needs. For more information, please visit www.femtechnology.org.
About ORI:
ORI, developed by FemTechnology, is a personalized health navigation platform designed to close health care disparities for women, reduce costs for employers, and improve outcomes for employees. By centralizing best-in-class solutions in women's health and providing actionable data on employee health trends, ORI helps organizations uncover hidden cost drivers, optimize benefits utilization, and improve women's health. We help you implement actionable, customized strategies for your health. Employers gain a nuanced understanding of employee needs through anonymized, aggregated data and evidence-based recommendations and targeted interventions to reduce absenteeism and healthcare costs. Employees benefit from seamless access to personalized care options, ensuring their unique health needs are met effectively and efficiently.
SOURCE Healthcare Business Women Association
