The Government has published the first ever Women’s Health Strategy for England, to tackle the gender health gap.
Measures include mandatory specific teaching and assessment on women’s health for all new doctors, new research on female-specific health conditions, and £10 million for 25 new mobile breast screening units.
Women live on average for longer than men but spend more of their life in poor health, often limiting their ability to work and participate in day-to-day activities.
Cllr David Fothergill, Chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “We’re pleased that this strategy is building a greater focus on women’s health, including understanding and acting on persisting inequalities and women’s experiences of the health and care system.
“There are major inequalities within women’s health, with women born in the least deprived areas spending almost 20 years less in good health than those in the least deprived areas.”
He added: “Although, it is important that the strategy states that women should have access to high-quality sexual and reproductive health, funding for these council-commissioned services has declined significantly in recent years.
“Long-term sustainable funding and a real-terms increase in the public health budget are required to rectify past cuts and help councils and their partners deliver an integrated and comprehensive approach to improving women’s sexual and reproductive health.”
