This morning (10 December 2024), the Office for National Statistics (ONS) published a new dataset called 'Characteristics of women with an endometriosis diagnosis in England: 27 March 2011 to 31 December 2021', as well as a blog exploring and explaining some of its findings.
This uses hospital data to analyse trends around those receiving an endometriosis diagnosis in an NHS hospital. The ONS notes that the true prevalence of endometriosis is much wider, as those diagnosed privately, or in other countries, and those without a diagnosis, are not included in this specific publication.
We are pleased to see this new data, and look forward to a further ONS publication about how endometriosis impacts the labour market.
Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, says:
"We're delighted that the Government and the ONS has recognised the significance of endometriosis, and decided to commission high-quality statistical evidence to ensure a better understanding of the disease's impacts, including how it impacts different communities. Endometriosis UK was pleased to support Dr Isobel Ward from the ONS in this important project.
"The relative lack of both data and research into endometriosis has historically made it easy to overlook or fail to grasp the seriousness of the disease - without strong evidence, decision-makers in healthcare and other sectors have either not recognised the scale of the issue, or not been able to argue for investments to support those with endometriosis. That is now changing. Today's initial report from the ONS, combined with other recent research such as the NHS Confederation's report on the economic benefits of investing in women's health services and other reports, are building up a picture that will be impossible to ignore.
"We look forward to using these statistics, and the upcoming ONS publication in January which will have further data including on the impact of endometriosis on employment and jobs, to advocate strongly for investment in early diagnosis; access to treatment; and other support for those with endometriosis."
