The women's wellness brand, INTIMA, in collaboration with Sarah Graham, has released a report titled "A World Without The Gender Health Gap". The brand aims to address the disparities in women's health.
INTIMA, a Swedish intimate health and wellness brand, emphasizes the importance of women's health. In its recent report, "A World Without The Gender Gap", it was noted that 80% of participants in a 2018 survey had experienced at least one reproductive health issue in the previous 12 months. However, according to the 2014 report from the UK Clinical Research Collaboration, only 2.5% of publicly funded research is dedicated to reproductive health.
The report authored by INTIMA and freelance journalist Sarah Graham focuses on menstrual and reproductive health. It suggests that these topics should be taught in schools so young girls are informed about what is normal and what isn't. The report also advocates for increased research and development concerning menstrual and reproductive health issues. Additionally, it calls for funding towards the development of a new diagnostic tool for endometriosis among other requests.
Graham stated: "The gender health gap has far-reaching effects on every aspect of women’s lives, from sex and relationships to their mental health and careers. But beyond this, it impacts wider society and the economy. INTIMINA’s report shows what life could be like if the gender health gap didn’t exist, and how this would impact not just women’s lives, but the lives of everyone."
In an open letter addressed to the United Kingdom, INTIMINA proposed an eight-point plan which includes educating male and female students about menstrual and reproductive health; creating a supportive company culture where women’s health issues can be discussed openly; incorporating education on menstrual and reproductive health as well as female sexual function into medical school curricula; significantly increasing funding for menstrual and reproductive health; prioritizing research for menstrual and reproductive health issues among others.
According to the press release that announced the new report, it was noted that the United Kingdom's economy could save £18 billion a year without a gender health gap. Similarly, in the US, working women pay $15 billion more each year on healthcare costs than their male counterparts.