The US health care system might not be fully addressing the needs of women, according to recent research by Deloitte. Their findings reveal significant gender disparities in health care access, with women more likely to skip or delay medical care compared to men. This issue not only affects individual health but also has broader implications for organizational and societal costs.
Survey Findings on Health Care Utilization
A survey conducted by the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions in February 2024, involving around 2,000 US consumers, highlights a troubling trend: women are 35% more likely than men to report skipping or delaying medical care over a year. This pattern could exacerbate health issues and lead to higher treatment costs in the long run.
In addition to the survey, Deloitte performed an actuarial analysis showing that women require about 9.9% more health care services than men, even when excluding maternity-related expenses. This disparity is likely due to higher prevalence of certain conditions in women, such as autoimmune disorders and Alzheimer’s disease.
Commonly Skipped Services
The survey found that:
Acute Illnesses: The most frequently skipped services for both genders were treatments for acute illnesses like the flu, with 38% of women and 37% of men reporting delays.
Women’s Health Visits: 34% of women reported delaying or skipping visits related to women’s health (e.g., gynecology, obstetrics), whereas only 19% skipped dermatology visits.
Mental Health Services: Women are 29% more likely to skip mental health services due to cost compared to 22% of men. Mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression are more common among women and can worsen without adequate care.
Structural Design Flaws Contributing to Delays
Three main structural issues drive these gender-based health care inequities:
Affordability: Women are 31% more likely than men to skip care due to cost. The rising costs of out-of-pocket expenses disproportionately impact women, who generally earn less than men. For example, women spend 20% more on health care costs than men, excluding maternity expenses.
Access: Women face more barriers to accessing care, including longer wait times and transportation issues. They are 50% more likely to report skipping care due to these delays and twice as likely to miss appointments because of transportation problems. Virtual health visits have proven beneficial, with 80% of women valuing the convenience and access they offer.
Prior Experiences: Women often report negative experiences with health care providers, such as feeling their symptoms are dismissed or misdiagnosed. These poor interactions can erode trust and lead to further avoidance of necessary care.
Unmet Health Needs and Gender Bias
Women’s health care needs are often limited to areas like reproductive health and cancer screenings, neglecting other critical aspects like cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death among women. Research shows that women are often diagnosed later than men for many conditions and are more likely to be misdiagnosed due to differences in symptoms.
Potential Solutions and Stakeholder Roles
To address these issues, various stakeholders can play crucial roles:
Employers: Can improve workforce health by promoting health literacy, offering comprehensive health benefits, and providing flexible work arrangements to improve access to care.
Health Plans: Should revise plan designs to remove gender biases, enhance coverage for women’s health needs, and negotiate more affordable rates with providers.
Hospitals and Health Systems: Need to invest in accessible care options, personalize care, and address unconscious bias in medical settings.
Innovators and Investors: Should continue investing in women’s health technologies and ensure diverse representation in research and development.
Future Directions
Recent federal initiatives, such as the White House’s executive order expanding research on women’s health issues, are promising. Addressing gender disparities in health care can improve overall well-being, economic prosperity, and reduce broader societal costs.
By focusing on gender equity in health care, the US can create a more inclusive system that better meets the needs of all individuals, leading to improved health outcomes and a healthier future.
