According to a recent report published by Hologic, Austria ranks highest among European countries for women’s health, securing the third position globally. Austria has implemented a comprehensive action plan comprising 40 measures specifically tailored for women’s health since 2017. Other European Union countries such as Germany, Denmark, Poland, and the Czech Republic also feature among the top 10 globally for women’s health.
The Women’s Health Index, conducted by Hologic for the third consecutive year, surveyed over 147,000 participants from 143 countries and territories, with data collected in 2022 and analyzed in 2023. The index evaluates various criteria including access to healthcare, emotional well-being, and food security.
Despite these positive rankings, the report highlights a concerning trend indicating that women’s health remains in a precarious state globally, with little improvement noted since the inaugural survey conducted in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic peak.
Notably, women in the United Kingdom reported poorer mental well-being compared to their counterparts in the European Union. A higher percentage of British women reported feelings of sadness and stress, indicating a potential gap in preventative healthcare measures.
Janet Lindsay, CEO at Wellbeing of Women, emphasized the necessity for progress in preventative healthcare, stressing the longstanding gender health gap and the need for prioritizing women’s health on par with men’s.
The report underscores the importance of preventive healthcare measures in addressing major health concerns such as heart disease, dementia, and diabetes. Despite some strides, the data reveals gaps in screenings for critical health issues like cancer, diabetes, and sexually transmitted diseases, suggesting a need for enhanced attention to women’s healthcare needs for the betterment of society and the economy.
