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An EU Strategy for Women’s Health

Executive summary
The Index is a global yardstick of women’s health status and unmet need
across five dimensions (Preventive Care, Emotional Health, Opinions of Health &
Safety, Basic Needs, Individual Health). The latest findings show a historic decline in
cancer testing (10% tested; ~60M fewer women), rising basic needs stress (food &
shelter), and a large burden of pain – all pointing to deteriorating outcomes that your program seeks to reverse.

Key takeaways

Cancer screening backslid for the first time in the Index: only 10% of women reported any cancer test in the past year (≈ 60M fewer women screened vs.
prior years).

Basic needs strain is peaking: 38% of women couldn’t afford food at some point and 32% couldn’t afford adequate shelter, conditions that directly suppress preventive care and adherence.

Pain and functional limits are widespread: ~1 in 3 women report a lot of pain the prior day; ~1 in 4 report health problems limiting daily activities, signals of unmanaged chronic conditions. 

Emotional health is worsening: globally ~200M more women are worried or sad than four years ago – poor mental health interacts with access and outcomes. 

Index shows improvement is possible: despite negative global trends, 28 countries improved meaningfully – evidence that targeted policies & investments can move outcomes in a few years.