Preparation of women’s health strategy begins

At the initiative of Minister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has launched preparations for a national women’s health strategy. The aim of the strategy is to gather information on women’s health and identify solutions that can promote women’s health, wellbeing and ability to work.

The groundwork for preparing the strategy was laid during a round-table discussion held on 18 March. There are still challenges related to women’s health that remain underdiagnosed and receive too little attention. The discussion highlighted how menopause symptoms, migraine and mental health issues, for example, affect a large number of women at different stages of life. Yet, shortcomings persist in how these are recognised and treated.

“Although women make up half of the population, there is less information and research available on their health and they receive less treatment than men. Examples include menopause or women’s gynaecological conditions, but also chronic diseases where women’s symptoms are more likely to go unrecognised,” saysMinister of Social Security Sanni Grahn-Laasonen.

“Many measures have already been taken to promote women’s health and wellbeing. For instance, we now have new information on how to recognise menopause symptoms at work and in occupational healthcare. The Government has increased the reimbursements for appointments with gynaecologists paid by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), reduced the value added tax rate for sanitary pads and allocated resources for drawing up Current Care Guidelines for endometriosis. A comprehensive strategy will respond to the need to gather information on women’s health and to identify solutions that promote women’s health and ability to work,” says Minister Sanni Grahn-Laasonen.

Women’s health affects wellbeing, working life and the economy