When women thrive, communities thrive, which is why it is so important to take on the challenge of strengthening women’s health.
“Women spend, on average, 8% less time each month on health care than men, which has a negative impact on women’s health outcomes.” Synchronization Health & Wellness CEO Beto Caselas Karen Webster of PYMNTS said:
Women, especially single mothers, face multiple challenges when it comes to accessing and affording the health and wellness care they need. Due primarily to time and financial constraints, women often prioritize the needs of their families over their own.
These issues are New Research By PYMNTS Intelligence and Synchrony’s Care Creditinvestigated economic factors affecting women’s health.2024 Women’s Health Index” is based on a survey of 10,045 U.S. consumers conducted Nov. 10-Dec. 6.
“For single mothers, especially, the responsibility they have over how they spend their time and money leads to lower overall health indicators,” Kaselas said.
Financial constraints are a barrier to women making health care a priority, and what may seem like a small amount to higher-income earners can be a significant burden for many working mothers.
Caselas highlighted the need for better financial solutions and payment options that empower women. To better manage your healthBy adopting strategies such as offering flexible payment options, improving financial literacy, promoting wellness and leveraging technology, the healthcare industry can empower women to prioritize their health and well-being, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for themselves and their families.
“There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Conditions “There are a lot of complex factors surrounding the ecosystem that go into solving this,” Kaselas said.
Women’s Health and Wellness: Addressing Barriers and Solutions
A barrier to accessing healthcare is patients’ lack of financial literacy. Caselas emphasized the need for healthcare providers to educate patients about healthcare costs and payment options. He called for transparency and open discussion about healthcare costs and available financial assistance programs.
“Financial literacy is not just a medical phenomenon, it’s a much broader issue,” says Kaselas. “Offering assistance programs, health savings plans and flexible spending accounts are important steps to closing this gap. Healthcare providers need to be prepared to have these conversations early and clearly so patients understand their options.”
Financial literacy also helps women take better advantage of the options available to them. To them To get the care you need.
“Offering options such as promotional financing over six or 12 months, allowing them to spread out payments, can help women better manage their health care costs,” says Kaselas. “Not only does this approach ease the immediate financial burden, it also encourages women to seek timely medical care and prevents symptoms from worsening.”
read more: Health and Wellness Priorities for Women at Each Stage of Life
Time constraints are another barrier to women receiving health care. Unpredictable medical appointments, long wait times, and lengthy diagnostic and treatment times can deter women from seeking health care and make them hesitant to visit a health care provider. This lack of time can be especially acute for mothers.
71% of mothers receive preventive health care and about a quarter do not receive any health care for themselves at all, while 78% Mother’s Putting your family’s health above your own Own happiness.
Caselas acknowledged the problem, pointing to broader systemic issues, including staffing shortages, that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. He suggested that third-party funding could play a role in mitigating these challenges by streamlining administrative processes, allowing providers to focus more on patient care.
Leveraging healthcare innovation and adopting preventative solutions
According to PYMNTS Intelligence: Women’s Health This, in turn, has a positive impact on overall well-being. Higher income groups tend to be more health-conscious, highlighting the important role that economic security plays in accessing medical services, especially when it comes to wellness and preventive care.
“Consumers are becoming more proactive and knowledgeable about what they can do holistically when it comes to their health and how that can reduce long-term care costs,” Kaselas said.
“Preventive care helps identify and address health issues early, reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases,” he added. “Younger generations are becoming increasingly proactive about their health, which is promising. Integrating health habits such as nutrition, mental health care and regular check-ups can significantly improve overall health.”
Technology, including artificial intelligence, is playing an increasingly important role in democratizing access to healthcare, promising low-hanging fruit like streamlining administrative processes, easing staffing challenges, and improving patient care.
“Digital technology, analytics and AI are critical to supporting healthcare providers and improving the patient experience,” says Kaselas. “These tools help them better manage time, provide more information to patients and streamline processes, ultimately enhancing the entire healthcare service.”
Looking to a future where new therapies like GLP-1 drugs will reshape the relationship between consumers and their health goals, Kaselas stressed the importance of “talking to your healthcare provider and discussing a payment plan.”
At the end of the day, in health and in life, it’s important to know what you’re getting into and what your options are. At hand Supporting you will always be important.
For more information, see PYMNTS Intelligence/CareCredit’s2024 Women’s Health Index.”
