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Understanding the Gender Health Gap

  • Raising awareness of poorer health outcomes for women.

  • Read our national survey Data Report and Guide for Businesses.

Read the data report Sign up for the Guide

Why is the Gender Health Gap so important?

The ‘Gender Health Gap’ describes the unfairness in healthcare provision due to a person’s gender. The UK has the largest women’s health gap across all G20 countries and has the 12th largest gap for women globally. Benenden Health aims to raise awareness of how the Gender Health Gap presents itself in women’s personal and professional lives.

Key highlights from our Gender Health Gap report 

Don't believe it exists

72% of women surveyed, don't believe the Gender Health Gap exists in the UK, where women have poorer health outcomes.

Health issues not taken seriously

60% of women feel that they've had a health issue not taken seriously by a medical professional.

Avoiding the doctors

Women avoid seeking medical support due to fear of being dismissed and past negative experiences.

National survey results

Our research includes 10,000 women in the UK, as well as 5,000 female employees and 1,000 business owners.

The results highlight women's experiences, the barriers women face, and immediate needs both personally and in the workplace.

Read the Data Report

Supporting women in the workplace

A guide for businesses

Women take on average nine days of annual leave to manage their health concerns, and more than a third of those surveyed have experienced anxiety in the workplace because of their health.

Are you a business owner interested in how the Gender Health Gap presents itself in the workplace, or a manager looking to support your line report with their healthcare provision?

Our Gender Health Gap Guide for Businesses provides you with all of the above and more, including exclusive insight from our charity partners, The Fawcett Society.

Sign up for the Guide

Our expert partner

Benenden Health has partnered with The Fawcett Society for this campaign*, gaining crucial knowledge on healthcare inequality in the UK today. You can read Fawcett Society and Benenden Health’s case studies below, to understand women’s lived experiences of the health gap.

Read the case studies

*The Fawcett Society is the UK’s leading charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights at work, home and in public life. From its hero ‘Gender Pay Gap’ campaign, to researching and campaigning on the menopause, The Fawcett Society has a clear affinity with Benenden Health to better women’s health outcomes