Improving the Health and Wellbeing of Girls and Women.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has this week released a report with recommendations around improving the health and wellbeing of girls and women.

Professor Lesley Regan, President of RCOG says:
“During the last 50 years women’s role in UK society has changed significantly. Women number 51% of the population, and account for 47% of the workforce, yet still undertake the majority of unpaid caring roles and influence the health behaviors of their families and the rest of society.”

The key recommendations of the report include:

A national strategy for a “life course” approach to steer towards a more preventative health service rather than disease intervention. This will include access to reliable information, easy access to contraception, learning from indicators in the reproductive years to influence future health.

Reducing health inequalities. All women should have access to and be provided with the information they need to stay healthy. 

NHS Digital should work with Royal Colleges and charities to ensure their information links to all the best resources and tools.

UK Governments should take strong action to improve the health of pregnant women and their babies. This includes fortifying flour and gluten free products with folic acid, following the recommendations of the Smoking in Pregnancy Challenge Group and prioritising preconception health of women planning a pregnancy.

Improving the identification of women at risk of mental and physical health issues at the six week postnatal check. Calling for improved guidance tools and education for healthcare professionals in primary care on best practice around maternal mental health.

A renewed effort to tackle the data gender gap by funding more studies focussing on women’s health, putting a stop to gender bias in diagnosis, treatment and research.

Read the full report here.