Cherry Healey on the gender health gap

Currently, the UK has the largest female health gap among G20 countries, and the 12th largest globally.

New research has found that the gender health gap has remained stagnant, as women’s health concerns are still not treated with the same urgency as men’s.

In fact, the research found that nearly two thirds (60%) of women in the UK believe their health issues are not taken seriously, while more than a third (35%) feel they have experienced poorer health outcomes because of their gender.

According to the research from Benenden Health, more than a quarter (27%) of women feel that the UK’s healthcare system specifically favours men over women, leaving many women reluctant to seek medical help at all and impacting on their long-term wellbeing. In fact, more than a third of respondents (35%) said they avoid going to the doctors, for reasons including anxiety and embarrassment.

Aston spoke to TV presenter Cherry Healey and Dr Fiona Warner, GP for women’s health at Benenden Health.