Taking care of women’s health should not just be an option, but a priority as a society. There are diseases and conditions that affect us exclusively and that, often, can be prevented if we receive proper care. Regardless of our age or where we live, we have the right to enjoy optimal health.

In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that the health of women and girls is of particular concern. The reason? In many societies, we continue to be disadvantaged by discrimination rooted in sociocultural factors that prevent them from achieving the best possible level of health, whether due to unequal power relations between men and women; social norms that limit our opportunities for education and paid employment; women’s reproductive roles; or the physical, sexual, and emotional violence to which we are exposed.

Not to put ourselves last

We often put ourselves last. We think first about the well-being of others and forget that we also need care. A clear example: we make sure our children are up-to-date on all their vaccinations, but we forget that we also need to protect ourselves.

Vaccines, in fact, are key for us. The WHO assures that immunization plays a fundamental role in reducing maternal and infant mortality. Furthermore, it is a powerful catalyst for gender equality and disease eradication, since protecting us contributes to our empowerment and active participation in society.

And speaking of threats to our health, cancer takes on greater importance, as it is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. What is worrying is that, according to a report by the American Cancer Society, released earlier this year, this disease is affecting women more than men. While cases are declining, diagnoses in young women are increasing.

Another issue that society tends to normalize, but which is truly a torment, is migraines. It remains a major public health problem, a disorder that is especially common and bothersome for women. 7 We are three times more likely to suffer from migraines than men, and one in four women experience this condition in their lifetime.

Migraine is no small feat; it is the most common neurological disorder and, in fact, the seventh leading cause of disability worldwide. Specifically, approximately 157 million work days are lost each year due to migraines.

Closing the health gaps

In conclusion, it is urgent to close the health gaps that affect women. Not only to live longer, but to live better, with physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It’s time to put our health where it belongs: at the center!

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