The Time Is Now for Women and Girls in STEM | Opinion – Newsweek

Report on Advancing Women’s Health and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

Women’s health remains critically at risk due to longstanding exclusion and underrepresentation in healthcare research and decision-making processes. This disparity undermines progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 5: Gender Equality. Women’s voices, leadership, and innovative ideas are essential to closing these gaps and improving health outcomes globally.

Current Challenges in Women’s Health

1. Funding Inequities: Women’s health research and treatment receive significantly less funding compared to men’s health. According to the World Economic Forum, only 1% of innovation and research funding outside oncology in 2020 was allocated to female-specific conditions.
2. Dismissal of Women’s Health Concerns: A 2022 Kaiser Family Foundation survey revealed that 29% of women felt their health concerns were dismissed by providers, 15% were not believed, and 13% were blamed personally for their health issues.
3. Social Taboos and Awareness Gaps: Topics such as menopause and miscarriage remain under-discussed despite their significant impact on women’s health and economic productivity.

Linking Women’s Health to Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Addressing funding disparities and improving healthcare provider communication are critical to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all women at all ages.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – Empowering women in healthcare leadership and research supports gender equality and the elimination of discrimination in health services.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Improving women’s health, including menopause treatment, reduces economic losses due to absenteeism and medical costs.

Strategies to Improve Women’s Health and Align with SDGs

1. Amplify Voices on Historically Uncomfortable Topics

Women spend over one-third of their lives in menopause, yet treatment remains limited due to lack of research and social stigma. Economic losses in the U.S. related to untreated menopausal symptoms reach approximately $1.8 billion annually in lost work time, with total costs up to $26.6 billion.

Similarly, miscarriage affects one in four pregnancies, and one in eight women require fertility treatment, yet these issues are rarely openly discussed. Public figures and organizations are increasingly bringing these topics into mainstream conversation, fostering awareness and support.

2. Adopt a Holistic Perspective on Longevity

Longevity is evolving beyond traditional medical care to include holistic health approaches that integrate well-being, self-perception, and regenerative treatments. Women’s longer life expectancy and openness to alternative therapies highlight the importance of this shift.

• Research shows confidence and self-affirmation are vital to overall well-being, as demonstrated by Merz Aesthetics’ global study linking outward appearance and inner self-concept.
• Emerging fields such as neurotechnology, regenerative joint therapies, and biohacking contribute to enhanced brain health and quality of life.

3. Empower Women in STEM Fields

Increasing women’s representation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) is fundamental to driving innovation and equitable healthcare solutions. Despite progress, women constitute only one-third of practicing physicians and face significant pay disparities.

• Evidence indicates patients treated by female doctors experience better outcomes, including lower mortality and readmission rates.
• Supporting organizations like the American Medical Women’s Association and advocating for pay transparency are critical steps.
• Encouraging girls and young women to pursue STEM careers aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Conclusion

Addressing the systemic challenges in women’s health is imperative for achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals. By increasing funding, fostering open dialogue, adopting holistic health models, and empowering women in STEM, stakeholders can create a more equitable and effective healthcare system. These efforts will not only improve women’s health outcomes but also contribute to broader social and economic development.

Author Information

Terri L. Phillips, MD, FAAP, Chief Medical Affairs Officer at Merz Aesthetics, with over five years of experience.

The views expressed in this report are those of the author.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on women’s health issues, including underrepresentation in research, lack of funding, and dismissal of concerns by healthcare providers.
   • It highlights the need for improved healthcare services and research for female-specific conditions and holistic approaches to longevity and well-being.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article addresses gender disparities in healthcare funding, research, and professional representation.
   • It emphasizes empowering women in STEM fields and closing the pay gap among physicians.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Economic implications of untreated menopausal symptoms causing lost work time and costs are discussed.
   • It also touches on pay inequality and career advancement issues for women in medicine.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
   • Target 3.b: Support research and development of vaccines and medicines for communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
   • Target 5.a: Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance, and natural resources.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including equal pay for work of equal value.
   • Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. For SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Percentage of healthcare funding allocated to female-specific conditions (e.g., only 1% in 2020 outside oncology).
   • Proportion of women reporting dismissal or disbelief by healthcare providers (e.g., 29% dismissed, 15% not believed).
   • Economic cost of untreated menopausal symptoms (e.g., $1.8 billion lost work time, $26.6 billion total costs).
   • Rates of miscarriage and fertility treatment needs (e.g., 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage; 1 in 8 women need fertility treatment).
2. For SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Proportion of women in medical school and practicing physicians (e.g., women are half of medical students but only one-third of practicing physicians).
   • Gender pay gap in medicine (e.g., women earn $2 million less over a 40-year career).
   • Patient outcomes based on physician gender (e.g., better prognosis with female doctors).
3. For SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth):
   • Economic losses due to health-related work absences (e.g., menopause-related lost work time).
   • Pay equity statistics and career progression metrics for women in healthcare professions.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newsweek.com