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AHIP

Championing Women’s Health

International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It’s also our moment to recognize the resources every woman needs to stay healthy. We spoke with women who are prominent leaders and changemakers in health care to learn how they see unique challenges in women’s health — and how we can continue creating lasting improvements.

Tonya Adams

Senior Vice President of Customer Experience & Operations for Regence Health Plans

“Women are often the primary caregivers in their families and tend to neglect their own health as they focus on others. This has been particularly true during the pandemic when research shows caregivers’ health has suffered. It’s important that women are good stewards of their personal health through eating right, getting exercise, and staying current on preventive screenings. Much as the directive on a plane that you should put on your own oxygen mask before assisting others — take care of yourself so you can care for a friend or family member.

“This is the time for women to re-engage in their own health, whether physical or behavioral. Health insurance providers like Regence offer a variety of resources — from digital tools to help find a provider to self-guided applications for mindfulness and resilience, and even supports for food and transportation that can help improve access to care and good health. And preventive care is no cost to members under most health plans.”

Gail K. Boudreaux

President & CEO of Elevance Health

“Women, especially working mothers, bear a disproportionate share of the pandemic’s economic and social disruption. Millions were already stretched caring for their families and maintaining a career before COVID-19. With the outbreak, additional responsibilities like managing childcare interruptions and becoming primary caregivers for older relatives exacerbated the situation and brought a surge of mental health challenges — causing women to delay or forego care.

“While this has short-term effects on health today, the consequences will be devastatingly exponential in the future without holistic support. To improve outcomes with the equity and dignity all women deserve requires going beyond traditional physical care and addressing behavioral and social factors that drive health — not just treating the symptoms that ail us. As we do, we’ll save lives and build a better future for generations.”

Karen S. Lynch

President and Chief Executive Officer, CVS Health

“Mental health is a top priority. CVS Health conducted a survey last year that found that the COVID-19 pandemic has universally amplified levels of stress and anxiety among women, with moms and caregivers most deeply affected.

“The mental health system is unfamiliar, hard to navigate, and not universally accessible. What’s more is that social stigma attached to mental illness often prevents people from seeking treatment.

“As health care companies, we must:

  • Ensure we treat mental health as equal to physical health.
  • Increase access to care, especially through virtual services, and break down barriers so people can easily locate the right resources to get the care they need.
  • Expand mental health networks to include providers like peer support specialists, licensed clinical social workers, and coaches to meet demand.

“In the last year, CVS Health has expanded access to mental health care for everyone in the community through both in-person and virtual mental health services at some of our MinuteClinics in select CVS HealthHUB® locations. We launched the Here4U℠ program, providing women and other communities deeply affected by the pandemic with a safe space to talk and connect with others. We also developed educational resources, including a guide with tips and information describing unique stressors for women and steps to improve their mental well-being.

“As health care leaders, join me in shattering the stigma around mental health and committing to treating the whole person.”

Elizabeth Goodman

Executive Vice President, Government Affairs and Innovation, AHIP

“Despite the ravages of COVID-19, a female child born in 2020 is expected to live to be more than 80 years old, nearly six years longer than their male counterparts. And, while COVID-19 has certainly tested nearly every aspect of our health care system, none has been as significantly challenged as the system of care for our seniors. Not only do women make up the majority of seniors in need of care but more than 75% of all caregivers are female.

“According to Consumer Affairs 71% of women over the age of 65 reported in one survey that they were more lonely than they were prior to the pandemic. The same article cited research from the Health Resources and Services Administration that the health effects of loneliness are nearly equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

“Addressing isolation and loneliness is key to ensuring the health and well-being of each older woman and at the same time is critical to ensuring the stability of our under-resourced system of care for seniors and people with disabilities, a system that primarily relies on the dedication and skills of women.”