Women, like everyone else, have a right to access quality healthcare services. However, this is not always the case in most parts of the world, and there is a huge gender disparity in healthcare access. According to a study published by the National Institute of Health, women experience several barriers that make it hard or impossible to access healthcare services.
Unfortunately, gender-based barriers to health services affect more than just women’s healthcare; they also affect their social and economic lives. Therefore, promoting access to safe healthcare for every woman is essential as it will help improve their quality of life. In addition, it will ensure they can realize their full potential. For this reason, this article looks at the top healthcare services every woman should access.
Restorative Chiropractic
Chronic pain is a huge health problem that affects people from all walks of life. However, according to a study published in Oxford University Press, women have a higher prevalence of chronic pain than men. The most common conditions include neck pain, back pain, and migraines. Chiropractic care is thus a vital health service that can promote safe healthcare for every woman.
One of the ways restorative chiropractic care can help when it comes to women’s health is through back pain treatments. A chiropractor can offer several solutions that help to relieve pain, restore functionality and mobility, and prevent further injuries to people suffering from back pain problems. And the best part about chiropractic back pain solutions is that they are drug-free and can eliminate the need for surgery.
The type of chiropractic solutions offered in back pain treatment will depend on your injury, its location, and its effect on your body. These solutions include spinal manipulation (chiropractic adjustment), used for herniated disc treatment, and other issues such as back, neck, shoulder, head, and menstrual pain. In addition, a chiropractor can offer other treatments such as heat and ice therapy, exercises and stretches, spinal traction, weight management, and more.
Speech Therapy
Speech and language disorders are relatively common health problems that can significantly affect an individual’s quality of life. People with these conditions may experience difficulties in communication and socializing and often suffer from low self-esteem. However, women and girls who suffer from speech impairment can also bear a heavier burden. According to the ACAMH, women and children with speech and language disorders face a higher risk of sexual abuse. Therefore, speech therapy services are vital and can help improve access to safe healthcare for every woman.
Speech and language therapy can help treat language and speech disorders and swallowing disorders affecting speech and language. The treatment solutions offered by speech therapists often include exercises to improve sound perceptions, pronunciation, speech fluency and language skills. Other solutions include breathing, swallowing, and speaking (voice) exercises, which can help treat speech and language disorders.
Speech therapy can also include invasive procedures to treat the underlying cause of the speech or language disorder. For example, tongue tie release treatment may involve a surgical procedure to improve tongue movement. Consequently, this can lead to improvement in swallowing and speech. Other speech therapy surgical procedures include palate repair, fistula closure, and Pharyngoplasty (surgery to the back of the nose or mouth).
Mental Health Services
Mental health is another crucial issue regarding safe healthcare for every woman. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, women often tend to bear a heavier burden in terms of mental health disorders. For example, some mental health disorders, such as perinatal and PMS-related, are unique to women. Furthermore, women are at a higher risk of experiencing mental health issues such as eating disorders, depression, and sexual trauma disorders.
There are several reasons why women are more vulnerable to mental health disorders. First, due to gender roles, women are more likely to be caregivers than men, which increases the risk of depression and anxiety. Women also face a higher risk of sexual assault, with severe mental health impacts such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, etc. Finally, the different biological makeup, especially in the brain anatomy, could also play a role in susceptibility to mental illnesses.
Mental health is, therefore, vital and can play an essential role in many women’s lives. Access to mental healthcare services can offer women the means to cope with their day-to-day lives in various areas, including their work life, personal relationships, and social interactions. It can also provide several benefits, such as improved mood, confidence, and self-esteem. Additionally, besides improving one’s mental well-being, good mental health can also have a positive impact on physical health.
Fertility Testing
Fertility services are another essential aspect of women’s health. According to the CDC, 19% of women experience problems in getting pregnant or carrying a child to term. Women might also need fertility services due to other special issues, such as single women or those in same-sex relationships looking to conceive.
When it comes to fertility services, a fertility examination is one of the most common solutions available for women looking to conceive. It is used to assess whether there is a problem, for example, before undergoing an IVF cycle. It can also help reveal the underlying issue for individuals having trouble conceiving or carrying their pregnancy to term. Several tests are conducted during a fertility exam, including blood tests, pelvic exams, ultrasounds, ovulation analysis, and more.
Fertility tests are often offered alongside fertility treatments – for women who have trouble conceiving. Standard treatment options include fertility drugs and surgical procedures that increase the chances of getting pregnant. Other options include assisted conception procedures such as IVF (in vitro fertilization) and IUF (intrauterine insemination).
Dentistry
Dental health problems affect men and women alike, making dental care vital for everyone. However, it can play an even more essential role in the well-being of women. For example, good dental health can lower the risk of pregnancy complications. Women are also more vulnerable to dental health problems due to the hormonal body changes they undergo during menopause, pregnancy, and puberty. Therefore, access to dental is essential in promoting safe healthcare for every woman.
There are several dental health services that every woman should look into. These include routine dental care services such as dental cleaning and teeth whitening. These can help keep their teeth healthy and give them a beautiful smile. There are also many treatment options for women suffering from oral health issues, such as root canals, crowns, bridges, implants, oral surgery, gum disease treatment, and more.
Besides regular dental care, women should visit a dental health care clinic during particular circumstances. For example, pregnant women should seek dental care services, as their oral health can affect their overall health and that of their baby.
Skin Care Services
It might not seem like it, but skin care is vital to women’s health. On a basic level, skin care services help women to have healthy and good-looking skin. And with today’s society obsessed with body image, looking good can boost women’s confidence and self-esteem. Therefore, skin care plays a vital role in women’s mental health.
However, skin care’s importance goes beyond enhancing beauty and improving mental health; it is also essential for women’s overall health. The skin is often the first defense against infections, diseases, and injuries. Therefore, having healthy skin can go a long way in ensuring you lead a healthy life. For example, essential skin care tips such as the use of sunscreen can help prevent skin cancers.
Lastly, skin care is vital in helping prevent or treat skin conditions. Several skin conditions affect women, including acne, dead skin, dry skin, and eczema. These conditions can have a significant impact on women’s appearance. Additionally, some of these conditions could be a symptom of an internal health problem. Therefore, every woman must have access to quality skin care services to ensure their mental and overall health is well cared for.
Routine Checkups
Regular health checkups are another excellent way of ensuring access to safe healthcare for every woman. They help to ensure that you are in optimal health. They also play a vital role in identifying early signs of health issues, allowing for timely and effective treatment. Therefore, they can be life-saving when suffering from chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
There are several checks women can undergo when visiting a family doctor for a routine checkup. The most common one includes heart disease, diabetes, blood pressure, STDs, and cholesterol checks, among others. Cancer screening, especially for cervical, breast, and HPV, is another vital check, especially for individuals with a history of cancer.
Besides the above checks, it is advisable for women to also visit other health practitioners for more routine checkups. For example, seeing a gynecologist for pelvic exams. Additionally, pregnant women should visit a doctor for prenatal care to ensure optimal health during their pregnancy.
Affordable Insurance
Health insurance coverage ensures access to quality and safe healthcare for every woman. According to a study published by the National Institute of Health, women are more vulnerable to various health conditions than men, especially regarding infectious diseases. Therefore, they must be adequately covered to ensure access to quality healthcare services when required.
Unfortunately, despite health insurance’s importance, millions of uninsured women are uninsured in the United States. As a result, these women often have trouble accessing quality healthcare; when they do, they can only receive lower standard care. Additionally, uninsured pregnant women often have difficulty accessing vital maternity health care. This results in poor outcomes when a health issue emerges, significantly reducing their quality of life.
Fortunately, all is not lost for women where health insurance coverage is concerned. First, several federal, state, and local government-funded health plans for women exist. These help to offer affordable coverage, including for maternal healthcare. Also, there are several insurance providers that offer unique health insurance plans for women, ensuring they are covered for all their health needs.
Lastly, several non-profit organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, offer low-cost or free health services for women. These are vital in ensuring access to safe healthcare for every woman, regardless of economic status.
Eye Care
Good eye care is also essential when it comes to ensuring the safe healthcare of every woman, and for a good reason. According to Prevent Blindness, women are more vulnerable to eye health issues than men. Many reasons can account for this increased prevalence – for example, women often have longer lifespans than men. Therefore, they are at a higher risk of age-related eye problems. Additionally, the hormonal changes women undergo during various stages of life make them more vulnerable to eye issues.
Unfortunately, the increased prevalence of eye issues in women is made worse by gender inequality in access to eye healthcare. While there are many barriers to eye care for both genders, women bear a heavier burden. For example, they are more likely to face economic obstacles to eye care than men. Society’s gender roles also mean that women are less likely to find time to seek eye care services.
The above challenges make it vital for every woman to seek out eye care services whenever necessary. These include routine eye exams, essential in the early identification and treatment of eye diseases. Eye exams can also detect symptoms of health issues such as diabetes, heart disease, blood pressure, and others.
Besides routine eye checks, women should also seek necessary eye disease treatments. The treatments can help in the improvement of vision and the prevention of blindness. Good eye health can also reduce the risk of injuries and help to improve an individual’s quality of life.
Several studies have shown that women are more vulnerable to many health conditions than men. On top of that, they have unique healthcare needs that make it vital for them to access good healthcare. But unfortunately, there is widespread gender inequality in access to healthcare. Therefore, millions of women worldwide often face multiple barriers to quality womens health services. This makes the above services vital in ensuring access to safe healthcare for every woman. And with improved health, women will have more opportunities to lead happier, more satisfying, and more productive lives.
