Saathealth Spotlight January 2025: Bridging the Women’s Health Gap

Women face unique barriers in healthcare access—low awareness, high out-of-pocket costs, and limited telehealth adoption—especially in underserved regions. A McKinsey Health Institute report released this month highlights these challenges, aligning with what we’ve observed through our own campaigns within India. By analyzing user engagement and behavioral insights, we see both the roadblocks and the opportunities to drive change. Here’s what we’ve learned compared to what global research suggests about bridging the gap.

Healthcare Spending: A Story of Priorities and Constraints

What the report says:

• 90% of healthcare expenses in India are out-of-pocket, making affordability a key barrier.
• Financial literacy and preventive care are critical in reducing long-term costs for women.
• Addressing women's health disparities could boost global GDP by $1 trillion by 2040.

Our insights:

• Women aged 20–39 engage most with healthcare services but remain in the low-to-medium spending category.
• Middle-aged women (40–59) drive medium-to-high spending, reflecting increased health risks.
• Seasonal spikes—June sees a 35% jump in high-expenditure cases, likely due to elective procedures or seasonal illnesses.

The Gap: Women are engaging in healthcare, but spending patterns suggest financial constraints, reliance on insurance, or delayed care-seeking behavior.

Chronic Diseases: The Hidden Burden on Women

What the report says:

• Chronic diseases remain underdiagnosed in women, as most clinical studies have been male-centric.
• Less than 9% of clinical guidelines worldwide meet global standards for including women’s health considerations.
• India’s focus areas: Thyroid disorders, hypertension, diabetes, and a lack of awareness around postpartum care.

Our insights:

• Thyroid issues start in women as early as 20–29 and increase with age.
• Hypertension and diabetes surge from 40+, correlating with higher healthcare spending.
• Arthritis rises sharply in women aged 50+, impacting mobility and quality of life.

The Gap: Women’s chronic diseases often go unnoticed, underdiagnosed, or mismanaged, leading to preventable long-term health burdens.

Telehealth: A Tool for Women, But Not for All

What the report says:

The report highlights key insights on telehealth and digital health:

• The m-mama program in Tanzania and Lesotho reduced maternal mortality by 27% and infant mortality by 40% using telehealth for emergency transport.
• Women in rural areas face digital health access barriers due to lower technology ownership, skills, and confidence.
• Midwives in high-income countries found remote monitoring and SMS-based health updates useful for high-risk pregnancies.
• Investments in telehealth-friendly policies can improve healthcare access for women, especially in underserved regions.

Our insights:

• Young women (20–29) are the biggest users of telehealth (70%)—driven by convenience and affordability.
• Middle-aged women (30–49) use telehealth consistently, balancing personal and family health needs.
• Senior women (60+) have the lowest adoption rates, likely due to limited digital access or discomfort with technology.
• Preferred Timings: Women tend to book telehealth consults between 11 AM–2 PM, unlike men, who prefer evenings.

The Gap: Telehealth is expanding women’s access to care, but older women and those in rural areas remain underserved.

Women’s Health Beyond Reproductive Care

What the report says:

• Women’s health research has been historically focused on reproductive health, neglecting other key areas like cardiovascular disease, menopause, PMS, migraine, and endometriosis.
• Only 64% of global heart disease guidelines include women-specific factors, leading to frequent misdiagnoses.
• Nine key conditions drive the health gap, including ischemic heart disease, breast cancer, and postpartum hemorrhage.

Our insights:

• Women show high engagement with thyroid and hypertension care content.
• Significant gaps remain in awareness and preventive care for mental health, postpartum health, and menopause management.

The Gap: Women’s health needs go far beyond maternity care—more attention is needed on chronic conditions, cardiovascular health, and aging-related issues.

The Road Ahead: Making Women’s Healthcare a Priority

Women’s health isn’t just a medical issue—it’s a social and economic imperative. Addressing telehealth barriers, financial constraints, and research gaps is the way forward.

At Saathealth, we're always looking for partners who share our vision for better health and financial resilience. If you're passionate about making an impact, let's connect!