Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Healthcare for women in the U.S. - statistics & facts
Women in the United States make up over half the national population and are more likely to have a longer life expectancy than men. Yet the U.S. healthcare system regularly fails to meet the essential healthcare needs of American women, especially those of reproductive age. Throughout their lives, women face unique health challenges including pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and postpartum depression which require specialized medical attention. The maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. is very concerning, as it has the highest maternal mortality rates among wealthy nations. Moreover, long-term care needs which are often linked with aging, disproportionately affect women as consumers and as care providers. In long-term care facilities, women outnumber men, as the aging population grows there is a rising need for elderly healthcare providers to cater to age and gender-specific health issues. Additionally, women in the U.S. also struggle with affordability and access to preventive care services such as annual checkups, vaccines, cancer screenings, or recommended tests, which are vital for better health outcomes.
