8th of March is celebrated worldwide as International Women's Day .The theme this year is "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress"
As we progress as a nation, it's important that 50% of the nation's people, the female population, also develop and move ahead. Achieving gender equality is incomplete without focusing on health issues of women. Women spend 25% more of their life in poor health compared to men which directly affects their ability to gain agency and individual economic power.
It has been found that women's health issues are not always a priority when it comes to research and innovation. While women form an essential pillar of the family and society, their health and well-being often takes a backseat. The repercussions of this are not only borne by the women but also by their families.
The key factors that affect women's health in India:
1) Malnutrition
2) Poor/insufficient diet
3)Early child bearing
4)Multiple/frequent pregnancies
5) Poor Hygiene
6)Menopause
7)Anxiety & Depression
Malnutrition along with poor diet intake is the main reason why women experience iron deficiency anaemia, impaired menstrual cycle, hypothyroidism and remain underweight .Calcium and folic acid deficiencies impact women's sexual health, cause fetal anomalies & birth defects in children and cause osteoarthritis & osteoporosis in menopausal women.
Poor hygiene and lack of access to healthcare facilities especially in rural areas has led to increased incidence and fatalities in women due to cervical cancer .Rapid urbanization has left women stressed and created a mental health pandemic of anxiety and depression especially in the pre-menopausal and menopausal age group.
How do we prevent these major issues faced by a large number of women?
1)Cervical Cancer & Breast Cancer: Early detection is the key to lowering the incidence & fatality due to these two diseases. Regular pap smear after the age of 35 helps prevent cervical cancer .Breast self-examination & sonomammogram can help in early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
2)Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome(PCOS): A rough estimation puts the figures at 20% of Indian women who suffer from this condition yet little is being done to create awareness about it. Making adjustments in diet & lifestyle are the key to managing PCOS.
3)Heart disease : Women's hearts are so special and so its important to take care of their heart health. Post-menopause ,the risk of heart diseases rises significantly. So ensuring your heart is strong and healthy by doing regular exercise ,having preventive health check-ups regularly and maintaining a healthy weight is how women can take control of their heart health.
4)Osteoporosis :Also commonly known as softening of bones, it is a serious health issue seen globally and more commonly in women. Bone density is maintained by hormone estrogen ,and as women age and inch towards menopause, estrogen levels drop initiating the process of bone softening. Regular bone densitometry ,taking a diet rich in calcium, Vit D & Vit K2 and having an active lifestyle can help preserve bone health.
5)Mental Health Issues :Women are at a 50% more chance of suffering from anxiety and depression. Whether it is pre-menopausal anxiety or post-partum(post delivery) depression, women go through a roller coaster of hormonal changes making them more susceptible to mental health conditions. Also external expectations have left almost 87% women reporting feeling stressed. Awareness programs and counselling access may help combat these issues.
6)Obesity : Swift urbanization and sedentary lifestyle has led to increased incidence of obesity. Obesity is not just a cosmetic problem but also a major health issue increasing the risk of certain cancers like pancreas, liver, breast ,ovarian and thyroid by 40%.By following a healthy active lifestyle and keeping a check on the body weight, women can ensure a disease free life.
Let's sum up and discuss what women should actually be doing in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle!
a)Maintain a Healthy Diet by including natural foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains which supply us with vitamins ,minerals ,protein, fibre etc .Include tofu, soy and dairy products for good bone & teeth. Have protein rich foods like lean meat, fish (for non-vegetarians) and soy products, nuts and seeds(for vegetarians) to maintain regular body functioning & good hormonal health.
b)Keep stress at bay by engaging in activities that relax you like gardening, baking, listening to music etc. Breathing exercises(pranayam) and yoga are also good stress-busters.
c)Exercise more!30 minutes of daily exercise or 150 mins/week of workout can help keep your body in good shape and also free from diseases like diabetes, liver disorders, obesity, heart ailments and certain cancers.
d)Regular screening such as an annual pap-smear, mammogram after the age of 35 can help in early detection of women specific cancers. Regular blood screening after the age of 40 can help detect diabetes, heart and kidney problems at a very early stage.
e)Taking a good and restful sleep is a must. Sleep enhances your sense of well being, helps ease depression ,stress and other mood disorders .It also helps your body repair itself thereby reducing risk factors that may cause diabetes, heart disease ,PCOS etc.
Healthier women mean smarter ,more resilient and prosperous societies. Closing the women's health gap would bring us one step closer to gender equality. So let's invest in women's health and accelerate our nation's progress!