International Women’s Day: Empowering Health and Wellbeing through Health Assessments
International Women's Day, observed on March 8th, is a global celebration of the achievements and contributions of women across all sectors of society. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on ongoing efforts to address gender inequality, particularly in healthcare. A key aspect of women’s health that deserves attention is the importance of regular health assessments. These assessments are not only vital for detecting potential health concerns early but also for empowering women to take charge of their overall wellbeing.
Why Health Assessments Matter for Women
A health assessment is an in-depth evaluation of a woman’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. It serves as a preventative measure by identifying risk factors, underlying health conditions, and areas that may require lifestyle changes. A routine health assessment includes a series of tests which can be everything from heart health to reproductive health, menopause and mental health.
For women, health assessments are essential because they can catch health problems early, when interventions are more effective. Conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, breast cancer and cervical cancer can all be identified and managed through regular check-ups and screenings. Many of these conditions may not show symptoms in the early stages, making routine assessments crucial for early detection and treatment.
The Benefits of Regular Health Assessments
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Early Detection of Health Issues: Early intervention is key to preventing more serious conditions. Regular health assessments can detect risk factors such as high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, or signs of certain cancers, which may be asymptomatic in their early stages.
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Personalised Health Plans: A health assessment gives women the opportunity to discuss their personal health goals and challenges with a GP or health and wellbeing coach. Based on the results, a health and wellbeing professional can create a personalised health plan that includes recommendations on nutrition, exercise, mental health, and lifestyle adjustments.
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Preventive Care: Health assessments are a proactive step in preventing illness rather than reacting to symptoms. Regular health assessments for conditions such as breast and cervical cancer and diabetes can help reduce the burden of chronic illness and ensure a better quality of life.
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Mental and Emotional Wellbeing: Health assessments also include evaluations of mental and emotional health. Given the growing awareness of mental health issues among women—such as anxiety, depression, and stress—these assessments offer an opportunity for early intervention and access to support services.
Empowering Women through Knowledge
One of the key reasons for having regular health assessments is to empower women with knowledge about their health. Many women tend to prioritise the health of their families and others before their own, often putting off or neglecting their own health concerns. A health assessment encourages women to actively engage with their health, offering them a clear picture of their current state and the necessary steps to improve or maintain it.
International Women’s Day can serve as a powerful reminder for women to prioritise their own health and wellbeing. It’s an opportunity to shift the narrative from simply managing illness to taking a proactive, approach to health—one that encompasses physical, emotional, and mental wellness.
This year at Bluecrest we continued our commitment to empowering women through knowledge by launching our comprehensive Advanced Menopause Profile, a simple blood test. Designed to provide clarity during this transitional time, this profile can offer insight into hormonal changes and helps to determine if menopause is being experienced. It can also assist in planning and adjusting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) tailored to specific needs.
We also offer Mammography, a method of breast screening for women aged from 40 years without a genetic pre-disposition to breast cancer. Mammography is effective in detecting breast cancers when they are small and less likely to have spread, and when treatment is most likely to be effective.
Conclusion
On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the accomplishments of women, but we also acknowledge the importance of ensuring women’s health and wellbeing. Regular health assessments are a cornerstone of this, allowing women to stay ahead of potential health risks, make informed decisions, and lead healthier lives. By promoting access to and awareness of these essential health services, we can empower women to take control of their health and live with confidence, strength, and vitality.
