In India, women’s healthcare needs are often neglected while they prioritize caring for their children, spouses, elderly parents, and other family members. This is largely due to societal expectations, gender roles, lack of accessibility, and lack of awareness. While strides have been made to improve gender disparities in healthcare, significant gaps persist across the country and particularly in rural areas. To optimise the healthcare experience for women in India, it is necessary to implement a holistic, personalised approach that addresses health education, stigma reduction, preventive care, and tailored interventions.
Compared to their male counterparts, women are less likely to seek out treatment for their health concerns. The primary reasons for this are poor health literacy and a lack of knowledge, particularly regarding women-specific health issues (e.g., menstruation and reproductive health). Due to culturally driven gender roles and economic dependence, it is difficult for women to advocate for themselves and to take an active role in their healthcare journey, allowing false narratives and myths to be perpetuated. Education and awareness are a crucial first step in promoting a holistic healthcare experience. Informed decision-making and open dialogue need to be encouraged to improve health outcomes.
Social stigma is also a major player when it comes to barriers to care for women in India. Efforts need to be made to challenge societal norms and taboos so women feel comfortable to seek care without judgement; a notable topic being mental health. While mental health disorders affect both men and women, women face unique challenges and are more vulnerable due to their position in society. It is important to establish mental health as a top priority and promote a comprehensive understanding of healthcare beyond one’s physical state.
In addition to mental health disorders, chronic disease is also prevalent among women in India. According to a study published in BMC Women’s Health, more than 30% of women aged 15–49 years in India have at least one chronic condition, such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, or anaemia, and nearly 9% have multiple chronic conditions. Reactive care isn’t enough. To tackle this, a proactive approach is vital. Preventive care, including screenings, health risk assessments, and wellness programs, can help women adopt healthier lifestyles to reduce the risk of chronic disease. Prevention tools and early interventions can also help women feel empowered to take ownership of their long-term health.
At Medix, we have developed a holistic approach that supports women through different life and health stages. From prevention & early diagnosis to family planning, fertility, medical case management, mental health, ageing and more, it is time to invest in women-centred personalised solutions.
Healthcare delivery can be taken a step further with tailored interventions customised to each individual, based on family history, genetics, screenings, clinical health risk assessments, and lifestyle factors. Targeted interventions can help improve health outcomes for women not only by identifying their unique risk factors and best treatment options but also by increasing engagement and adherence to recommended prevention and treatment plans.
Therefore, a holistic and personalised approach to healthcare is key in optimising women’s health in India. By increasing awareness, accessibility, and inclusivity, plus emphasizing preventive and targeted care, women in India can feel empowered to take a more active role in their care, and health outcomes can be improved over the long term.
Shared by: Sigal Atzmon, CEO & Founder, Medix Global
