Why Preventive and Holistic Care Must Be the Future of Women’s Health in India

Q Womenrsquos healthcare in India has traditionally focused on fertility and maternity How can the sector move towards a more holistic lifecycledriven model that integrates mental health preventive care and healthy ageingFor decades womenrsquos healthcare has largely centred around fertility and pregnancy While these are important phases they represent only a part of a much longer health journey Womenrsquos health begins at menarche and evolves through reproductive years perimenopause menopause and healthy ageingThe shift requires adopting a lifecycle approach one that views womenrsquos health as continuous rather than episodic Mental health hormonal balance metabolic conditions preventive screenings and lifestylerelated disorders must be addressed in an integrated manner rather than in silosEqually important is creating healthcare environments where women feel heard and respected because when women donrsquot feel safe asking questions preventive care is often the first thing to drop off That is exactly what the numbers reflect A 2024 India analysis found that only about 0937 of women had undergone breast cancer screening and 1937 had undergone cervical cancer screening That is not a small gap it is a signal that women are reaching healthcare too late too often When care moves beyond eventbased intervention to longterm partnership women are supported at every stage not valued only during motherhood but throughout their livesQ How can an intergenerational approach to healthcare spanning adolescents to elderly women help shift deeply rooted attitudes and improve longterm health outcomesHealth awareness is often shaped within families Conversations or the absence of them around menstruation fertility menopause and preventive care tend to pass across generationsAn intergenerational approach ensures that support is not fragmented When adolescents understand their bodies early they grow into adults who prioritise preventive care When mothers model regular checkups it normalises selfinvestment When older women speak openly about menopause or bone health stigma reducesThe numbers across life stages are genuinely hard to ignore For adolescents NFHS5 data shows 59137 of girls aged 1519 are anaemic in India That means fatigue and low energy are being normalised from the very startAt the other end a 2025 paper cites a systematic review showing osteoporosis prevalence estimates ranging from 837 to 6237 among postmenopausal Indian women which is why bone health cannot be an ldquoafterthoughtrdquo conversationCreating a unified womencentric ecosystem allows families to experience continuity of care Over time this helps shift attitudes from reactive treatment to proactive wellbeing improving longterm outcomes across generationsQ In the context of Womenrsquos Day how can we reframe the narrative around selfcare so that women view preventive health and wellbeing as essential rather than optionalWomenrsquos Day presents an opportunity to rethink how women perceive their own health For many caregiving responsibilities have traditionally taken precedence over personal wellbeingIn India the burden is not only reproductive NFHS5 era analyses show that 2437 of women of reproductive age were overweightobese 201921 and hypertension prevalence in the 1549 age group is reported at 228037 These are not ldquolaterliferdquo conditions anymore they are now part of womenrsquos everyday health realityAnd access is still a major barrier A 2025 report coverage based on Tata AIG data noted that 7537 of women remain underinsured no coverage above 20 lakh which makes preventive care and early treatment harder to sustainReframing selfcare as responsibility rather than indulgence is crucial Preventive screenings mental health support regular movement and timely medical consultations are longterm investments When women prioritise their health without guilt they build resilience energy and confidence strengthening not just themselves but the families and communities they supportSelfcare is not a luxury It is foundational to sustainable wellbeingQ What does a true lsquofor women for lifersquo healthcare model look like in the Indian context and how can a lifecycle approach transform access continuity and trust in womenrsquos healthcareA true ldquofor women for liferdquo model is rooted in continuity In India it is estimated that more than 7037 of Indian women are affected by ongoing health concerns including menstrual disorders thyroid imbalances PCOS fibroids and metabolic conditions yet preventive engagement remains limitedA lifecycle approach shifts the focus from reactive treatment to proactive partnership It encourages structured screenings early diagnosis mental health integration and specialised support during menopause and ageingWhen healthcare systems are designed around continuity and compassion women are more likely to seek care early and consistently Over time this builds trust and trust is fundamental to better health outcomes

Why Preventive and Holistic Care Must Be the Future of Women’s Health in India

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Why Preventive and Holistic Care Must Be the Future of Women’s Health in India

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