13 May 2025
In May, many of us celebrate the women in our lives. In addition to Mother’s Day on May 11, May marks National Women’s Health Month.
Women face distinct challenges and opportunities when it comes to health. Some conditions only impact women, while other conditions disproportionally affect women when compared to the general population.
Focusing on improving women’s health doesn’t just yield personal and professional benefits, such as better health outcomes or reduced absenteeism, it’s also smart economics. For every $1 invested in women’s health, a $3 return on economic growth can be seen.
Key health concerns for women
Key health issues for women include breast, ovarian and cervical cancers; infertility; mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety; Alzheimer’s disease; and heart disease, which is also the overall leading cause of mortality for adults in the United States.
May, coincidentally, is also National Osteoporosis Awareness Month. Although not exclusively a women’s health issue, osteoporosis, characterized by weakened, fragile bone, disproportionally impacts women.
Worldwide, osteoporosis affects 33% of women 51 and older in contrast to 20% of men in the same age group. Part of the reason for the 13% difference is hormonal.
Because estrogen stimulates bone building, the decline of estrogen during perimenopause and significantly more during menopause, can lead to reduced bone density.
Six ways to support women's health
Adopting healthful lifestyle practices, including eating a nutrient-rich diet, exercising, managing stress and getting adequate sleep are essential for promoting an individual's health throughout every stage of life. Let’s take a closer look at six key considerations and practical tips for maintaining women's health you can incorporate into your wellness programs.
A good wellness program should empower the women in your workforce to:
Get regular screenings and exams. Although recommendations may vary according to family history and individual risk factors, getting regular wellness visits, physicals and health screenings for cancer and other conditions should be a part of a preventive care plan. They can identify health issues early for more effective treatment.
Eat a varied, healthy diet. Women typically have lower energy (calorie) needs, which means less food. This can make it more challenging to achieve an adequate intake of all essential vitamins and minerals. Eating well includes getting calcium and vitamin D (critical for bone health and making new skin cells), potassium, iron, folate and vitamin B12. Other key nutrients for women include magnesium; omega-3 fatty acids, which can be found in seafood, seeds, oils and nuts; vitamin C; and choline. Getting these nutrients can help maintain a healthy weight and avoid preventable diseases.
Exercise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports only 20% of women over age 18 meet the physical activity guidelines for Americans for aerobic exercise and strength training. This percentage also decreases with age. Two major benefits of exercise include weight management and positive bone health (for weight-bearing exercise). Pressed for time? Here are four ways to exercise even when a schedule is packed.
Drink less. Limiting alcohol intake can improve health and strengthen liver, heart and cognitive function, while also decreasing the risk of breast cancer. Limiting alcohol to one drink, or less, per day for women can help with maintaining a healthy weight, improving cardiovascular health and reducing risk of cancer and diabetes.
Avoid smoking. Avoiding smoking can help women reduce the risk of many types of cancers, heart disease and gum disease, among other conditions. Learn more about quitting smoking and reducing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk today.
- Focus on mental health. Some mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders, are more common in women. Addressing mental health can lead to a better diet and physical health, more controlled stress and less substance abuse. Take steps to promote positive mental health throughout every stage of life, which can include journaling to help provide perspective and relieve future stress or talking to a mental health professional.
How Labcorp can help
Labcorp health coaching can assist your employees in setting up and following their individual wellness goals and help them create healthy, sustainable habits. This includes more information to improve women’s health, good nutrition tips, and ways to prevent cardiovascular disease, as well as advice, encouragement and emotional support in making sustainable lifestyle changes leading to healthier lives.
Contact us today to get a program started for your employees.