The impact of health inequality

At Frontera Group, we wanted to research the drivers of the gender healthcare gap and what can be done to narrow it. We surveyed 200 women* who had been diagnosed with a chronic disease and have seen a doctor within the last 12 months. We found:

  • was the average time to diagnosis

  • was the average time to diagnose endometriosis

  • were seen by 25% of women before a diagnosis was made

  • have at one point felt stigmatised by their doctor

  • felt they needed to use private healthcare to get the care they needed

  • felt their doctor was unsupportive or does not listen to them

Importantly, women who reported stigma from their doctor also reported a longer time to get their diagnosis, as well as difficulties in accessing the services they needed, including getting treatment.

Research has repeatedly shown that a gender gap exists between the quality of healthcare that women receive, versus men. It exists in many countries, including the UK.¹⁻³

How to take control of your healthcare

The majority of women who said they were stigmatised, said that they felt discriminated against for being a woman. This primarily meant feeling that they were not being listened to or taken seriously. Women who felt stigmatised felt less empowered or in control of their healthcare. Those women also had a worse relationship with their doctor.

JUST have a better relationship with your doctor:

J - JOURNALING: Keep a record of your symptoms and go over what you want to discuss beforehand.

U - UNDETERRED: Be prepared that the interaction may feel frustrating.

S - SUPPORTER: Consider taking someone you trust in with you. 

T - TENACITY: It is your right to ask for a second opinion.

Patient activation

Patients that are actively involved in their healthcare are known as ‘activated’. They have the knowledge, skills and confidence to manage their own health.

Patient activation can be increased by empowering you to take control of your health, but this is easier said than done. The best approach is through a patient support programme or PSP (usually specific to a disease area or type). PSPs provide education resources and motivational support to enable and encourage patients to be active players in their health.

Understand more about what makes a successful PSP.

*The most common chronic conditions were diabetes (14%), arthritis (13%) and Crohn’s (9%). Most of the women surveyed have had their chronic disease for a long time, with an average of just under 12 years.

  1. Results of the “women’s health – let’s talk about it” survey. GOV.UK. (2022). https://www.gov.uk/government/ consultations/womens-health-strategy-call-for-evidence/outcome/ results-of-the-womens-health-lets-talk-about-it-survey

  2. Government launches call for evidence to improve health and wellbeing of women in England. GOV.UK. (2021). https://www.gov.uk/government/ news/government-launches-call-for-evidence-to-improve-health-and-wellbeing-of-women-in-england

  3. Better for women: Improving the health and wellbeing of girls and women. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. (2019). https://www.rcog.org.uk/about-us/campaigning-and-opinions/better-forwomen/