Sociocultural factors influencing women’s healthcare-seeking behavior, according to ET HealthWorld

In a recent interview, Lakshmi Sethuraman, Partner at Sattva Knowledge Institute, discussed the challenges impacting women’s health in India with ETHealthworld’s Prabhat Prakash. Sethuraman highlighted the lack of attention to women’s health needs, including the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases, reproductive health issues, and common cancers. The interview emphasized the importance of early detection and preventive healthcare for women in India.

The current landscape of women’s health in India presents several challenges that require immediate attention. Women face barriers such as lack of awareness, limited access to screenings and diagnostics, and socio-cultural factors affecting health-seeking behavior. Only a small percentage of women undergo screenings for diseases like cervical and breast cancer, indicating a significant gap in healthcare services for women. The interview stressed the need for improved healthcare infrastructure and awareness to address these challenges.

To enhance screening and diagnostics for women’s health, there is a growing focus on technology-led solutions. Innovations in healthcare technology aim to improve access to screenings, reduce costs, and enhance health outcomes for women. By integrating technology into healthcare services and considering local contexts, developers can create effective solutions to bridge the gap in women’s healthcare.

Proposed solutions for improving women’s health screenings include creating gender-responsive frameworks for investments, deploying blended finance instruments, and building networks for women in diagnostics. These initiatives aim to address socio-cultural determinants, increase accessibility to healthcare services, and encourage women’s engagement in their health outcomes. By advocating for policy changes and collaborating with various stakeholders, there is an opportunity to drive significant improvements in women’s health outcomes in India.