Empowering Women Through Preventive Care Services

Regarding habits and routines, in most Indian households, familial management is a responsibility that falls on women. Regardless of their socioeconomic status, whether they are office-goers, self-employed or homemakers, and irrespective of their family composition, the onus of looking after everyone typically lies on the women of the house. But all of this often comes at a cost to women’s health. Although the importance of women’s empowerment in societies is not understated in the current scenario, we must adopt ways to empower women.

Why Women's Health is Important? 

A woman’s health is important because she has different roles at home and in society. Because they are life-bearers, they need to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Depending on their age, overall health, and family medical history, frequent checkups and specific tests are necessary for women. This is also because people of this generation live their lives at a breakneck pace.

Neglecting health can make women vulnerable to a range of severe health issues, including:

1. Reproductive health disorders, menstrual disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis
2. Disturbed mental health consisting of anxiety, hormonal changes, depression, and eating disorders
3. Cardiovascular diseases 
4. Breast cancer 
5. Brittle Bones (Osteoporosis).

It is crucial to adopt specific preventive health measures to combat these issues.

What is Preventive Health?

The Dutch saying "prevention is better than cure" has stood the test of time. Preventive health refers to a range of medical services designed to screen and identify medical problems before symptoms appear. In simpler terms, preventive healthcare helps you achieve a longer, healthier life.

Some of the major screenings under preventive healthcare include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. Preventive health also provides counselling on quitting smoking and adopting healthy eating habits.

Why is Preventive Health Care Important for Women?

Everything you do now impacts your current and future health. It includes your diet, exercise routine, sleep quality, stress levels, and time to yourself. Hormonal shifts and environmental factors contribute to women's health as they age. As a result, these factors worsen and raise their risk of developing various diseases. 

Preventive health check-ups and routine medical exams are thus essential for warding against these conditions. As a woman, preventive healthcare is crucial for you because: 

1. You stay in a better position to prevent the spread of significant health conditions. 
2. Monitoring your blood sugar and cholesterol readings on regularly can help you assess your risk of acquiring diabetes or high cholesterol in the long run.
3. Getting a diagnosis early on helps keep medical bills down, as opposed to when a health problem intensifies. 
4. Getting checked up often can reduce the likelihood of undergoing surgery or developing chronic diseases.

Overall, a preventive health check-up can help support your body's timely recovery from any medical conditions, reducing the adverse risk of complications.

Difference Between Preventive Tests and Diagnostic Tests

Depending on your health conditions, your doctor may either prescribe you to undergo certain diagnostic tests or preventive tests. Although they may seem similar, these tests are very different.

Preventive Tests

Preventive tests primarily examine your present health status to ward off medical illnesses. They are a standard part of routine care that includes yearly checkups, preventive screening tests, and wellness visits. 

As a general rule, preventative care includes:

• Analysing blood sugar, cholesterol level, and blood pressure as potential risk factors for long-term health problems
• Keeping track of your weight and height
• Appropriate cancer screening tests based on age
• Routinely administering vaccines and immunisations to ward off diseases like pneumonia, flu, or COVID-19
• Mental health screening tests 
• Check the elderly for potential hazards such as hearing loss, memory loss, and falls.

Diagnostic Tests

Treating or diagnosing an illness is what diagnostic care is all about. It includes monitoring current medical issues, screening for new symptoms, and following up on test findings that might not have been within the usual range.

Some of the procedures include laboratory testing, radiology, and ultrasound. In diagnostic services, you may find both preventative and diagnostic treatment, such as:

• Fractures and other injuries using casts and splints.
• Chronic pain and discomfort.
• Treating long-term/chronic health issues include diabetes, obesity, high BP, high cholesterol, and hypertension.
• New symptoms that could indicate an accident or illness.

Different Types of Preventive Care for Different Ages

A wide range of mild to severe health problems can be brought on by a lack of sleep, certain genetic abnormalities, and unhealthy lifestyle choices. As a woman, you can save money in the long run by regularly getting screenings for diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, and heart disease.

Besides, here are some of the most important preventive care tests women should undergo, according to their age.

Ages 11-12 

Girls under this age group must get a Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. India has two licensed HPV vaccines: Gardasil and Cervarix. These protect children from all types of HPV that can later lead to cancers, including cervical cancer.  

Age 20: 

If you are in this age group, you must start visiting your gynaecologist annually. Your doctor may prescribe a breast exam every 1 to 3 years.

Ages 21-29: 

Women in this group must get a Pap smear test once every three years. This will help your doctor identify potential changes in your cervix that might require immediate treatment.

Age 30: 

Generally, HPV testing is included in Pap tests. However, if your report is normal, you can undergo the Pap test once every five years. 

Age 40: 

By this age, women must start getting mammograms every year without fail. The preventive screening will help you identify any potential symptoms or signs of breast cancer at an early stage.

Ages 45-50: 

Usually, women falling under this age group must opt for colon cancer screening. This can help detect cancer at earlier stages, making diagnosing it easier. 

Age 65: 

By this age, women can suffer from bone mineral density that causes osteoporosis. Hence, taking the necessary tests will help you keep a check on your medical condition.

Age 75: 

Your doctor might ask you to stop taking preventive health care tests at this age. You can ask your doctor if you would still need to have colon cancer screening, certain preventive tests, or mammograms.

Invest in Health Insurance that Covers Preventive Care

The medical bills that come with untreated illnesses can be undoubtedly hefty, so much so that it can drain all your hard-earned money. Under these circumstances, investing in a health insurance policy that covers preventive care costs is advisable. 

When you invest in comprehensive health insurance policies like Care Supreme and Care Freedom, you don't have to worry about paying anything out of your pocket for preventative care. This is because Care has got you covered. Moreover, nothing brings more peace of mind than knowing that you have a safe fund to cover you under unexpected medical emergencies.

Wrapping Up!

Summing up, we must take gender equality and women's empowerment seriously and attend to treating women’s health concerns before they worsen. With everything considered, women often suffer from serious medical issues as compared to men because they experience way more hormonal changes throughout their lives. 

As a woman, maintaining your physical and emotional well-being should be your top priority during puberty, middle age, and later. Adopting preventive measures will help you protect yourself from a wide range of medical problems that might arise at later stages of your life!

>> Also Read: How to Choose the Best Health Insurance for Women?

Disclaimers: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.