Women who could not get necessary healthcare were far more likely than others to report that their health had affected their job performance, family relationships and involvement in their community, according to a recent survey.
The results were published Sept. 18. It was conducted by Gallup and Pivotal, the latter of which is a group of organizations founded by Melinda French Gates. Gallup surveyed 5,232 U.S. adults from July 14-22, including 3,845 women, and weighted the responses based on national demographics.
Here are seven things for health system leaders to know from the survey’s findings:
1. Forty-two percent of women said their health had kept them from doing everything they wanted to do in life over the past five years, and 42% specifically pointed to an effect on their work or career. Among women who tried but were unable to get needed care, 66% reported a work-related impact.
2. More than half of women in households that earn less than $50,000 reported a health-related impact on their work or career, compared with 33% of those in households earning $100,000 or more.
3. Black women (49%) and Hispanic women (45%) were more likely than white women (40%) to report a work-related health impact. They were also more likely to rate their own physical health as fair or poor, at 35% and 28%, respectively, compared with 22% of white women.
4. Fifty-one percent of women reported at least one negative healthcare experience in the past five years, compared with 39% of men. That included having a provider minimize or dismiss their symptoms, cited by 34% of women. Among women who had experienced a health condition, 30% said they had to push to be taken seriously or receive treatment.
5. Pregnancy-related health challenges were closely linked to workforce changes. Black women were more likely than white women to say they returned to work before they were physically ready after giving birth, at 38% versus 24%, changed jobs (34% versus 18%) or reduced their hours (29% versus 22%). Among women who had given birth in the past 20 years, 54% reported a mental health challenge during pregnancy or in the year after giving birth, and of the 57% of that group who sought care, only 29% described it as very helpful.
6. Menopause-related symptoms also affected job performance and advancement. Twenty-eight percent of women with menopause symptoms said the condition limited how much effort they could give at work, 21% took more frequent or longer breaks and 15% decided against pursuing a promotion or leadership role.
7. Cost remained the top barrier to care. Thirty-two percent of women skipped or delayed needed care in the past year due to cost, compared with 25% of men.
