Endometriosis UK welcomes the publication today of "Women's health economics: investing in the 51 per cent", a report by NHS Confederation. We were pleased to contribute to this important report.
Endometriosis UK's CEO Emma Cox says,
"The NHS Confederation's new report evidences the significant benefit that investing in menstrual health would create for the economy and society as a whole, on top of reducing the suffering of those living with endometriosis and other menstrual health conditions. With a whopping £11bn a year being the estimated economic cost just for absenteeism due to severe period pain and heavy periods, alongside endometriosis, fibroids and ovarian cysts, the economic argument is crystal clear and changes must not be put off any longer.
"The report calls out the gender bias that exists in medicine and research funding, and that so-called 'women’s problems' must no longer be brushed under the carpet or labelled as ‘normal’ and ignored. It is another important reminder that too often, those with suspected or diagnosed endometriosis have had their symptoms and experiences ignored and dismissed, as well as a warning that access to women's health services is particularly poor in areas with higher levels of ethnic diversity, or higher rates of deprivation.
"This new report provides a robust economic case that must not be ignored. Endometriosis UK supports the report's clear recommendations for key national organisations such as HM Treasury, the Department of Health and Social Care, and NHS England. These include investments such as ringfenced funding for the Women’s Health strategy, for tackling health inequalities and for research; changing how gynaecological and obstetrics services within health services are prioritised and tackle the unequal growth of gynaecology waiting times; better education and training for medical professionals on endometriosis and other menstrual health conditions; and better collection of data about those impacted by these conditions. Without this data, the suffering of women and those assigned female at birth remains hidden and overlooked.
"Endometriosis UK was pleased to support NHS Confederation and its research partners in putting together this report, and we hope it will inspire decision-makers to make the much needed changes that will make a real difference to those with endometriosis. We look forward to working with the NHS, Government and others to support the much needed changes that now should happen."
Access the full report at: https://www.nhsconfed.org/publications/womens-health-economics
