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EVERYTHING
The $100 Billion That Could Come in Women’s Health
What: Treating just four common conditions that affect women could bring in over $100 billion by 2030, according to an analysis from Boston Consulting Group. Those conditions? Menopause, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and cardiovascular disease.
Key line: “The persistent levels of underdiagnosis and undertreatment have created a massive gap in the health care market for US women. The opportunity to expand that market by addressing the gaps is also huge. According to new BCG research, proper screening and better care for US women for these four common conditions represents an opportunity of more than $100 billion.”
Source: BCG
Diagnosing Women Is the First Step
What: The World Economic Forum has a look at why improving diagnostics in women’s health is “essential” to improving women’s health outcomes. They focus on preeclampsia and PCOS as places where “early identification” could save and improve women’s lives, but also note that diagnostices can also serve as a way to make care more affordable by catching issues sooner.
Key line: “An accurate and timely diagnosis empowers women with informed choices, enabling them to seek care sooner, effectively manage conditions and improve long-term health outcomes. For instance, fertility awareness remains low, with many women seeking interventions only when their fertility is already in decline. Early diagnostic testing for ovarian reserve, however, can help women make proactive decisions about their reproductive health.”
Source: World Economic Forum
ABORTION ACCESS
More Evidence that Abortion Bans Reduce OBGYN Care
What: MedPage Today breaks down more research that found access to OBGYN care has decreased in states that have banned or severely restricted abortion care. The 12 most restrictive states lost more than 4% of OBGYN providers per 100,000 reproductive-age women.
Key line: “’There have been some surveys and anecdotal reports of ob/gyns leaving states which have imposed strict abortion laws due to concerns about restricted clinical autonomy and decision-making, but there has not been any empirical evidence on the extent to which this is happening,’ [Jane M. Zhu, MD, of Oregon Health & Science University in Portland] told MedPage Today, noting that this evidence now confirms the results of those past surveys.”
Source: MedPage Today
ONCOLOGY
More Than Half of Women Missing Recommended Cervical Follow-Up
What: A study in Obstetrics & Gynecology examined over 3,000 women who had “high grade cervical dysplasia,” a.k.a. abnormal cells that have a higher likelihood of developing into cervical cancer. They found that less than half (45%) got the follow-up testing recommended in the 30 months after treatment.
Key line: “Approximately half of patients did not receive guideline-concordant surveillance after treatment for high-grade dysplasia, and one-third had a subsequent abnormal co-test result. Patients with high-grade cervical dysplasia are at elevated risk of subsequent abnormalities and should continue to be closely monitored. Additional systematic monitoring is needed to ensure guideline-compliant surveillance after dysplasia treatment.”
Source: Obstetrics & Gynecology
CARDIOVASCULAR
Increasing Steps Is Enough to Reduce CV Risk
What: Research presented at the American Heart Association’s annual conference found increased physical activity – including simply taking more daily steps—was linked to a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular death among postmenopausal women with a history of cancer. The research followed nearly 2,500 postmenopausal women for around eight years.
Key line: “’While structured exercise remains the most efficient and effective way to improve your health, these findings highlight that walking—at any intensity—matters. The road to an active lifestyle is more accessible than we often assume, and the benefits are available to everyone, including people navigating life after cancer,’ said Diaz, who was not involved in the study.”
Source: American Heart Association
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