The Significance and Scope of Women’s Healthcare
One question that those working in the women’s healthcare industry are often asked is why a separate field for women’s healthcare is necessary. Many seem to feel that the entire concept is far too niche and that there doesn’t need to be a separate field for our unique health concerns. Recently, however, these conversations have been happening less often as investors have begun to realize the importance of this field of medicine. This is due, in part, to a growing understanding of what women’s healthcare is and its importance.
Defining Women's Healthcare
It may surprise you that there isn’t an accepted definition of women’s healthcare. Broadly speaking, one could define it as “that branch of medical science focusing on the treatment and diagnosis of health concerns impacting the emotional and physical well-being of women.” However, this only scratches the surface of what this field of medicine covers. Is women’s healthcare caring for health needs related to our gender identity as a woman, or the biological and physiological characteristics typical of those classified as female?
The Role of Women in the Healthcare Industry
Women are the major consumers of healthcare services in the United States and are 76% more likely to have visited a doctor than our male counterparts in a given year. Even when we aren’t personally consuming healthcare services, we are responsible for 80% of the decisions regarding healthcare services for our families. This includes appointments for our family members and picking up prescriptions from the drugstore. In most families, we fill the role of Chief Medical Officer.
Beyond Reproductive Health
One major struggle facing women’s health has been a myopic focus on reproductive and gynecological health. Most women experience reproductive health concerns that most men do not, such as:
- Menopause
- Pregnancy
- Menstruation
However, this cannot serve the entire scope of women’s health. Women are also more likely to become disabled through the course of their lives, develop heart disease 20% more often, become obesity more frequently, and are more likely to die within 5 years of their first heart attack. Clearly, reproductive health isn’t the only thing women have to worry about.
Healthcare Statistics and Growth
| Metric | Data Detail |
|---|---|
| Digital Health Investment (2020) | $700 million |
| Digital Health Investment (2021) | $1.4 billion (across 23 deals) |
| Doctor Visit Frequency | Women are 76% more likely to visit than men |
| Family Healthcare Decisions | Women manage 80% of decisions |
| Heart Disease Risk | 20% more frequent in women |
Seeking Professional Guidance
In service in Montgomery since 1987, Capital Women’s Care in Rockville, MD is part of an expansive network of clinics providing women’s health care. Our patients get the benefit of an immense amount of experience provided by some of the most respected women’s healthcare providers in the area. If you’re eager to discover more about the state of women’s health care today and what the future holds, reach out to your provider today. They’ll keep you updated on the latest information and how it may affect your care moving forward.